Online Taxation Degree in North Carolina: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)
Quick answer: North Carolina employs about 49,270 accountants and auditors (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through your state board of accountancy for current requirements. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.
Compare taxation programs enrolling now:
Licensing and Credentials in North Carolina
Tax practice sits under the accounting profession’s credentials. CPA licensure is state-regulated and the degree alone does not confer it; federal practitioner status has its own requirements, and a master’s in taxation is commonly used toward the education hours CPA candidacy asks for - the exact requirement varies by state.
Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with your state board of accountancy for current requirements that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.
Earning the Degree While You Work
Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record for this exact area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Accountants and Auditors Earn in North Carolina
Accountants and Auditors in North Carolina earn a median $82,050 per year, below the national median of $83,680 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Taxation Pay and Employment in North Carolina at a Glance
| Metric | North Carolina | National | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $82,050 | $83,680 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 10th percentile | $53,610 | $56,020 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 25th percentile | $65,120 | $67,020 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 75th percentile | $108,090 | $109,810 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 90th percentile | $146,100 | $144,090 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Employment | 49,270 | 1,449,500 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Location quotient | 1.07 | 1.00 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected change (2024-34) | not published by state | 4.6% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
How North Carolina Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country
The North Carolina median of $82,050 sits below the national median of $83,680 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.
A location quotient of 1.07 puts North Carolina slightly above the national average, so the occupation is a little more common here than in the typical state (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.
Where the Jobs Are in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | $92,910 | 16,820 |
| Durham | $85,090 | 3,060 |
| Raleigh | $81,950 | 9,190 |
| Asheville | $80,400 | 1,540 |
| Burlington | $80,320 | 430 |
| Greensboro | $80,170 | 3,300 |
| Winston | $78,950 | 2,030 |
| Fayetteville | $78,560 | 800 |
| Wilmington | $77,920 | 1,520 |
| Hickory | $77,490 | 1,040 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Tax work concentrates where corporate headquarters and large accounting practices are, with a seasonal market everywhere.
Accountants and Auditors Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), accountants and auditors wages in North Carolina vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 16,820 | $92,910 | $101,910 | $59,200 | $167,330 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 9,190 | $81,950 | $93,340 | $57,120 | $134,220 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 6,160 | $79,450 | $88,390 | $54,990 | $127,900 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 3,300 | $80,170 | $91,400 | $52,710 | $136,310 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 3,060 | $85,090 | $98,060 | $60,620 | $152,900 |
| Winston-Salem | 2,030 | $78,950 | $88,510 | $50,020 | $135,930 |
| Asheville | 1,540 | $80,400 | $89,480 | $51,740 | $130,870 |
| Wilmington | 1,520 | $77,920 | $85,960 | $50,390 | $129,990 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | 1,040 | $77,490 | $87,200 | $49,990 | $134,290 |
| Fayetteville | 800 | $78,560 | $87,250 | $51,350 | $130,780 |
| Greenville | 550 | $75,140 | $82,750 | $53,330 | $120,700 |
| Burlington | 430 | $80,320 | $88,480 | $51,830 | $130,460 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | 370 | $75,750 | $82,320 | $44,990 | $129,580 |
| Jacksonville | 360 | $73,740 | $78,950 | $46,680 | $124,490 |
| Rocky Mount | 360 | $76,960 | $84,020 | $51,270 | $124,280 |
| Goldsboro | 230 | $75,000 | $81,950 | $48,990 | $127,680 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
All North Carolina Metro Areas With Published Data
Asheville * Burlington * Charlotte * Durham * Fayetteville * Goldsboro * Greensboro * Greenville * Hickory * Jacksonville * Pinehurst * Raleigh * Rocky Mount * Wilmington * Winston
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants and auditors make in North Carolina?
The median annual wage for accountants and auditors in North Carolina is $82,050, below the national median of $83,680 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $65,120 at the 25th percentile to $108,090 at the 75th.
How many accountants and auditors work in North Carolina?
North Carolina holds about 49,270 tax professional jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 1,449,500, and BLS projects about 124,200 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Do I need a license to work as a tax professional in North Carolina?
Tax practice sits under the accounting profession's credentials. CPA licensure is state-regulated and the degree alone does not confer it; federal practitioner status has its own requirements, and a master's in taxation is commonly used toward the education hours CPA candidacy asks for - the exact requirement varies by state. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with your state board of accountancy for current requirements before you enroll in any program.
Can I earn a taxation master's online while working in North Carolina?
Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies your state board of accountancy for current requirements.
What is the highest-paying area of North Carolina for accountants and auditors?
Among North Carolina metro areas with published data, Charlotte reports the highest median at $92,910 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is North Carolina a good state for accountants and auditors?
On pay, the state median of $82,050 sits below the national $83,680 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 1.07 means the occupation is more concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.
Related Guides
- Taxation programs and how to choose one - the national guide to this degree
- Bookkeeper career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
- Trade careers that require a 4-year degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Accountants and Auditors (SOC 13-2011), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.