Accountant Salary in Birmingham, AL: $80,713 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Birmingham, AL earns a median $80,713/year (≈ $38.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Birmingham's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $88,072 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.5% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Birmingham, Alabama, the projected annual salary for accountants in 2026 is estimated at $80,713, placing it approximately 6.00% below the national median of $85,864. The salary range varies significantly from $53,501 at the lower end (P10) to $131,885 at the higher end (P90), suggesting a diverse job market that accommodates various experience levels and specialties. This data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2025 survey data, projected to 2026. The structural divide in compensation between the Big 4 firms and regional players versus local corporate roles influences these salary dynamics, with those working at prominent public accounting firms often positioned for higher earnings than their counterparts in smaller CPA firms or corporate finance departments.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,501 | $25.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,850 | $31.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,713 | $38.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,917 | $48.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,885 | $63.40 |
Median Salary Position
6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Birmingham
In Birmingham, AL, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,384 (2026 est.). At $80,713, the local median is 6% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Birmingham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Birmingham Accountant Pay Compares
Birmingham median: $80,713/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Birmingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $73,711 | +9.50% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | -6.00% less |
Accountants in Birmingham, AL earn a median of $80,713 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.00% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 9.50% above the Alabama state average of $73,711.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Birmingham has a cost of living 8.36% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Birmingham, AL has a cost-of-living index of 91.644 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $80,713 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $88,072 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.12% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$68,570
2025 BLS Actual
$78,660
2026 Current Est.
$80,713
2019–2027 Growth
+20.8%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Birmingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,713 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,820 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Birmingham metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 14.7% from $68,570 (2019) to $78,660 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,820 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,250 (20.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Birmingham metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.61% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $53,501 – $64,850 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,850 – $80,713 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,713 – $100,917 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,917 – $131,885 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Birmingham
Birmingham’s job market for accountants is robust, with approximately 7,790 individuals currently employed in this profession. A cost of living index of 91.644 indicates that expenses are below the national average, allowing for better purchasing power for local accountants. Among the highest-paying employers are the Big 4 firms, namely Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG, while mid-tier firms and corporate accounting departments also offer competitive salaries. The pay disparity is driven by factors like CPA licensure, the tier of the employing firm, specialization in areas such as tax and forensic accounting, and opportunities for bonuses and overtime during busy seasons. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Birmingham, pursuing a CPA license, considering a path within top-tier public firms, and gaining expertise in lucrative specialties would be beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Birmingham, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Birmingham, AL in 2026?
Is Birmingham, AL a good place to work as a accountant?
Can accountants make $100K in Birmingham?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted accountant salary in Birmingham?
How much does a accountant make per hour in Birmingham?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
Written by Sofia Patel, CPA
Career Analyst
Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $78,660 for accountantsin the Birmingham metropolitan area. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov