Accountant in Arlington, TX

The Salary Picture: Where Arlington Stands

As an accountant looking at Arlington, you're looking at a market that's solid, though not explosive. The metro area, which includes Fort Worth and parts of Dallas, is robust, but Arlington itself is a specific beast—a middle-class city with a blue-collar history and a white-collar future.

The median salary for an accountant in Arlington is $86,932/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.79/hour. This sits just slightly above the national average of $86,080/year. It's not a massive premium, but it's a notable one, especially when you factor in the local cost of living. The 10-year job growth is projected at 4%, which is consistent with the national average for the profession. It indicates stability, not a boom. Currently, there are 796 accountant jobs in the metro area, a healthy number that suggests opportunities are available.

The real story, however, is in the experience breakdown. Arlington's job market, like many in the Sun Belt, values tenure and specialization.

Experience Level	Typical Arlington Salary Range	Notes
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$58,000 - $68,000	Often starts in AP/AR or staff accountant roles at local firms or mid-sized companies.
Mid-Level (3-7 yrs)	$75,000 - $95,000	This is where the median sits. You'll see Senior Accountant and Accountant Manager roles here.
Senior/Expert (8+ yrs)	$100,000 - $130,000+	Controllers, VP of Finance, and specialized tax advisors. Top end requires CPA or niche expertise.

How does Arlington stack up against other Texas cities?
It’s a smart middle ground. Austin commands higher salaries (median ~$92k) but has a steeper cost of living. Houston and Dallas pay similarly but with more corporate headquarters, offering higher ceilings for the truly elite. San Antonio pays less (median ~$81k) but is cheaper. Arlington's key advantage is its location—sandwiched between Dallas and Fort Worth, you have access to the job markets of both without paying Dallas rent. A 20-minute commute can open up a world of opportunities.

Insider Tip: Don't just look for "Accountant" titles. The metroplex is a hub for energy (oil & gas), logistics, healthcare, and defense. Look for roles like "Oil & Gas Revenue Accountant," "Healthcare Revenue Cycle," or "Government Contracting Accountant." These specialties can push your salary 10-15% above the median.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. With a median salary of $86,932, your take-home pay after taxes (assuming you're single, filing as Head of Household with standard deductions) will be approximately $66,500 annually, or about $5,542 per month.

Now, let's factor in Arlington's cost of living. The Cost of Living Index is 103.3, meaning it's 3.3% above the national average. The biggest driver is housing. The average 1-bedroom rent in Arlington is $1,384/month. This is your anchor.

Here’s a realistic monthly budget for an accountant earning the median:

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	% of Take-Home Pay	Notes
Rent (1BR in decent area)	$1,384	25%	A reasonable and comfortable portion of your income.
Utilities (Electric, Water, Internet)	$200	4%	Texas summers (AC) will spike this in July/August.
Groceries	$400	7%	Based on USDA low-cost plan for 1 adult.
Transportation (Gas/Insurance)	$350	6%	You will need a car. No getting around it.
Health Insurance (Pre-tax)	$300	5%	Varies by employer, but a safe estimate.
401k Retirement (Pre-tax)	$435	8%	Recommended 5% of gross salary.
Taxes (Fed, State, FICA)	$1,750	32%	This is deducted from gross to get take-home.
Remaining (Discretionary)	$1,723	31%	Covers dining, entertainment, travel, savings.

Can they afford to buy a home? Let's look at the Arlington housing market. The median home value is around $350,000. With a 20% down payment ($70,000), a 30-year mortgage at 6.5% would result in a monthly payment of approximately $1,775 (principal & interest, not including taxes, insurance, or HOA). This is just over your estimated housing budget. While the monthly payment is high, it's not impossible, especially for a dual-income household or if you're willing to live further out in Grand Prairie or Mansfield. The key is saving for that down payment. On a $86,932 salary, saving $70,000 would take significant discipline and time unless you have other assets.

Insider Tip: The property tax rate in Texas is high. In the Tarrant County area (where Arlington is located), you can expect to pay around 2.2-2.5% of your home's assessed value annually. On a $350,000 home, that's $7,700-$8,750 per year, adding $640-$730 to your monthly mortgage payment. This is a critical factor often overlooked by out-of-state buyers.

Where the Jobs Are: Arlington's Major Employers

Arlington’s economy is a mix of tourism, logistics, healthcare, and education. The "big employers" list is specific and tells a lot about the available accounting roles.

1. Texas Rangers (Globe Life Field) & Dallas Cowboys (AT&T Stadium): While the teams themselves are major employers, the real accounting work is with their parent companies and the myriad vendors. Look for roles with AT&T Management, LLC and the Texas Rangers Baseball Club for sports finance, event accounting, and royalty accounting. These are niche, high-profile roles.

2. Medical City Arlington: Part of the HCA Healthcare system, this is a major hospital and trauma center. Healthcare accounting is a massive field. They hire for staff accountants, billing specialists, and revenue cycle analysts. The work is complex due to insurance reimbursements and government programs (Medicare/Medicaid).

3. Lockheed Martin (Fort Worth location, but a huge regional employer): The F-35 fighter jet program is based here. While the main facility is in Fort Worth, it employs thousands in the region. They have extensive government contracting accounting departments. CPA or CMA certification is highly valuable here. These roles are stable and offer strong benefits.

4. American Airlines (Corporate HQ in Fort Worth, 15-min drive): The aviation industry is a giant. American Airlines has massive finance departments. Jobs range from financial reporting to internal audit to cost accounting for maintenance. The commute is easy via I-30 or I-40.

5. University of Texas at Arlington (UTA): A large public university with a research budget. They need accountants for grant accounting, departmental budgeting, and general fund management. Public sector accounting has its own rules (GASB), but it's a stable career path.

6. Texas Health Resources & Baylor Scott & White (Major DFW Systems): Both have significant facilities and operations in and around Arlington. Healthcare systems are consistently hiring for accounting roles due to their complexity and size.

Hiring Trends: There's a steady demand for accountants with ERP system experience (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) and data analytics skills (Excel at an advanced level, Power BI, Tableau). Companies are moving away from pure bookkeeping and toward forward-looking financial analysis.

Insider Tip: Don't just apply on job boards. The DFW accounting community is tight-knit. Join the Dallas Chapter of the Texas Society of CPAs (TSCPA). Attend their events. Most mid-to-senior level jobs are filled through networking, not cold applications.

Getting Licensed in TX

For a high-level career, you'll want your CPA. Texas has specific, strict requirements.

• Educational Requirements: You need 150 semester hours of education, with 30 hours of upper-level accounting and 24 hours of upper-level business. Many get their bachelor's (120 hours) and then a Master's in Accounting (30 hours) to hit the 150.
• Exam: Pass the Uniform CPA Exam (a four-part exam).
• Experience: You need 1 year of work experience (2,000 hours) under the direct supervision of a licensed CPA. This can be in public accounting, industry, government, or academia.
• Ethics Exam: Pass the Texas-specific ethics exam.

Costs & Timeline:

• Exam Fees: ~$1,500 ($250 per section).
• Review Course: $2,000 - $4,000 (essential investment).
• Licensing & Ethics Exam: ~$200.
• Total Estimated Cost (excluding tuition): $3,700 - $5,700.

Timeline: From starting your final credits to getting your license, expect 18-24 months. You can take the exam sections in any order; once you pass your first section, you have an 18-month window to pass the remaining three.

For non-CPA paths, consider the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). The CMA, offered by the IMA, is highly respected in corporate finance and manufacturing (relevant for Arlington's industrial base).

Insider Tip: The TSCPA offers student memberships and resources. If you're in a UTA accounting program, leverage their alumni network. Many local firms recruit directly from UTA and TCC for interns and new hires.

Best Neighborhoods for Accountants

Arlington is a sprawling suburb. Your choice of neighborhood will dictate your commute, lifestyle, and rent.

1. West Arlington (The Entertainment District):

   • Lifestyle: Urban, lively, walkable to stadiums and entertainment. Mostly newer apartment complexes and townhomes. Young professional vibe.
   • Commute: Excellent for jobs in Arlington/Ft. Worth. Can be congested during event days.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,400 - $1,600/month for a 1BR.

2. Central Arlington (Historic Districts like Interlochen):

   • Lifestyle: Established, quiet, tree-lined streets. Older, larger homes. Family-oriented.
   • Commute: Easy access to I-20, good for commuting to Dallas or Midlothian.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,200 - $1,450/month for a 1BR (fewer options, more single-family home rentals).

3. South Arlington (Mansfield Border):

   • Lifestyle: Suburban, master-planned communities. Great schools, shopping (The Highlands). Quieter.
   • Commute: Longer to downtown Dallas/Ft. Worth, but good for jobs in the southern metro.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,300 - $1,500/month for a 1BR.

4. North Arlington (Arlington Highlands area):

   • Lifestyle: Similar to West but more established. Mix of apartments and condos. Close to shopping and restaurants.
   • Commute: Good for all directions, central to the metro.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,350 - $1,550/month for a 1BR.

Insider Tip: Traffic is the great equalizer. Living near a major highway (I-20, I-30, I-40) is key. Avoid living deep in a residential neighborhood if you work 9-5, as your commute can easily double. Use the Waze app to test drive routes from potential apartments to your target employers during rush hour.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Arlington is a great place to build a mid-to-senior level career, but for the C-suite, you may need to look at the broader DFW metroplex.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • CPA: $10k - $20k+ premium over non-CPAs.
  • CMA: $5k - $15k premium in corporate settings.
  • ERP Expert: Specific knowledge of SAP or Oracle can add $8k - $12k.
  • Data Analytics: Proficiency in Power BI & SQL is becoming the new baseline and can set you apart.

• Advancement Paths:

  • Public Accounting (Local/Regional Firm): Staff Accountant → Senior → Manager → Partner/Director. Slower path but excellent training.
  • Industry (Corporate): Staff Accountant → Senior → Accounting Manager → Controller → CFO. The path to CFO in Arlington is viable, especially at a mid-sized company (e.g., a hospital, a manufacturing plant).
  • Government/Defense: The path is more rigid (GS scale) but offers unparalleled job security and benefits. Growth often requires moving to a higher grade level.

• 10-Year Outlook: With a 4% growth rate, the market will remain stable. The demand will be for hybrid accountants—those who can manage the books but also analyze data, communicate with non-finance stakeholders, and adapt to new tech. The rise of AI in accounting will automate routine tasks, making the strategic, advisory side of the job more valuable.

Insider Tip: The most successful accountants in DFW are those who get involved in their industry. If you're in healthcare, join HFMA. If you're in oil & gas, join the local CPA chapter's energy group. Specialization + networking = career accelerator.

The Verdict: Is Arlington Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Salary vs. Cost: A $86,932 salary goes further here than in Austin or Dallas proper.	Job Ceiling: For the absolute top-tier roles (Fortune 500 CFO), you'll likely need to commute to Dallas.
Location: Access to two major cities' job markets without their housing costs.	Car Dependency: A car is a non-negotiable necessity. Public transit is limited.
Stability: The 4% job growth and diverse employer base provide a safety net.	Slower Salary Growth: Raises may be modest compared to tech-heavy markets.
Lifestyle: Family-friendly, abundant amenities (stadiums, parks, Six Flags), no state income tax.	Suburban Sprawl: Can feel generic; lacks the cultural density of a city core.
Licensing Path: Strong infrastructure for getting your CPA, with UTA as a key resource.	Traffic: Congestion is real, especially on game/event days.

Final Recommendation:
Arlington is an excellent choice for mid-career accountants (3-10 years of experience) seeking a balanced lifestyle with strong financial stability. It's particularly attractive for:

• Young professionals who want to build a career in corporate finance or government contracting.
• Accountants in healthcare, logistics, or manufacturing looking for niche roles.
• Those who value a suburban, family-oriented environment but don't want to be far from city amenities.

If your primary goal is to reach the top 1% of accounting salaries (e.g., $250k+) as quickly as possible, you might be better served starting in Dallas or Houston. But for a sustainable, well-compensated career with a high quality of life, Arlington offers a compelling and data-backed value proposition.

FAQs

Q: Do I need a car in Arlington?
A: Absolutely. The city is designed around the automobile. Public transportation exists (Arlington On-Demand rideshare, Trinity Metro buses) but is not efficient for a daily commute to a corporate office. Budget for a reliable vehicle, insurance, and gas.

Q: How do taxes in Texas compare to my current state?
A: Texas has no state income tax, which is a significant boost to your take-home pay. However, it's offset by high property taxes (2.2-2.5%) and a 6.25% state sales tax (plus local sales taxes, bringing it to ~8.25% in Arlington). Run the numbers for your specific situation.

Q: Is the job market saturated with CPAs?
A: Not saturated, but competitive. Dallas-Fort Worth is a major hub for CPA firms (Big 4, national, and large regional firms like Whitley Penn and Eide Bailly). The key is differentiation. A CPA with data analytics skills or experience in a high-demand specialty (e.g., healthcare revenue cycle) will have no trouble finding work.

Q: What's the commute like to Dallas?
A: From central Arlington, it's typically 20-35 minutes to downtown Dallas via I-30. From South Arlington, it can be 30-45 minutes. The reverse commute (Arlington to Dallas)