Accountant Salary in Montgomery, AL: $76,999 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Montgomery, AL earns a median $76,999/year (≈ $37.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Montgomery's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.7), that paycheck buys what $85,858 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Montgomery, Alabama, the 2026 median annual accountant salary is projected to reach $76,999, reflecting the competitive landscape of accounting professionals in this region. This figure is notably below the national median of $85,864, indicating a pay gap that may influence local talent retention. The salary spectrum for accountants in Montgomery spans from $54,127 at the lower end to $113,446 for those at the top of the pay scale, highlighting the disparity in compensation driven largely by experience, specialization, and licensure status. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, underscores the importance of CPA licensure for accountants as it often serves as a key differentiator for accessing higher salaries and advancing career opportunities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,127 | $26.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,536 | $30.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,999 | $37.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,756 | $46.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,446 | $54.54 |
Median Salary Position
10.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montgomery
In Montgomery, AL, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,319 (2026 est.). At $76,999, the local median is 10.32% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Montgomery: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Montgomery Accountant Pay Compares
Montgomery median: $76,999/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Montgomery Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $73,753 | +4.40% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | -10.32% less |
Accountants in Montgomery, AL earn a median of $76,999 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.32% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 4.40% above the Alabama state average of $73,753.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Montgomery has a cost of living 10.32% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Montgomery, AL has a cost-of-living index of 89.682 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $76,999 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,858 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,640
2025 BLS Actual
$75,040
2026 Current Est.
$76,999
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Montgomery (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,330 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,040 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,999 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,008 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montgomery metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 21.7% from $61,640 (2019) to $75,040 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,008 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,368 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montgomery 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) | $54,127 – $63,536 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,536 – $76,999 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,999 – $95,756 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,756 – $113,446 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Montgomery
Currently, over 2,530 accountants are employed in Montgomery, creating a robust market for professionals in this field. The cost of living in the area is indexed at 89.682, making this a favorable environment for accountants, as their salaries generally provide a good balance with local expenses. Among employers, Big 4 firms tend to offer the highest compensation, significantly outpacing regional CPA firms. Accountants specializing in tax, forensic, and valuation work are often able to command higher salaries due to the complexity and demand of their expertise. The variance in pay is also influenced by factors such as public firm tiers, industry-specific roles, and the potential for bonuses during peak seasons, particularly in firms that observe long hours during tax season. To maximize earnings in this market, aspiring accountants should pursue the CPA credential and consider seeking experience in high-paying sectors while exploring opportunities within larger firms or specialized practices.
More salary data for Montgomery, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $75,040 for accountantsin the Montgomery 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