Accountant Salary in Pelham, AL: $68,188 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Pelham, AL earns a median $68,188/year (≈ $32.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Pelham's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $77,575 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for accountants in Pelham, Alabama, reaches $68,188, reflecting a notable disparity when compared to the national median of $85,864. The pay range for accountants in this region spans from $49,849 at the 10th percentile up to $105,692 for the 90th percentile. These salary estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living factors. The financial compensation for accounting professionals in Pelham illustrates the broader structural divide, often seen in the accounting industry, where large firms typically offer more lucrative packages compared to regional or corporate sectors. Local accountants can anticipate moderately competitive compensation but may need to weigh their options carefully between public and private sector roles for the best financial outcomes.
About the Pelham Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,849 | $23.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,737 | $27.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,188 | $32.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,923 | $41.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,692 | $50.81 |
Median Salary Position
20.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pelham
In Pelham, AL, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,843 (2026 est.). At $68,188, the local median is 20.59% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pelham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pelham Accountant Pay Compares
Pelham median: $68,188/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pelham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $73,717 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -20.59% less |
Accountants in Pelham, AL earn a median of $68,188 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.59% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 7.50% below the Alabama state average of $73,717.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pelham has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pelham, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $68,188 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,575 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,821
2025 BLS Actual
$66,454
2026 Current Est.
$68,188
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Pelham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,821 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,417 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,348 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,943 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,436 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,275 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,454 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,188 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,968 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pelham metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $56,821 (2019) to $66,454 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,968 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,147 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pelham 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) | $49,849 – $56,737 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,737 – $68,188 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,188 – $86,923 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,923 – $105,692 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Pelham
With only four accountants currently employed in the area, Pelham faces a unique job market scenario, characterized by a lower cost-of-living index of 87.9, impacting overall purchasing power. While the pay is lower than national averages, local job opportunities remain viable. Among the most lucrative employers in Pelham, corporate accounting departments and mid-tier CPA firms could offer competitive salaries, albeit less than those found in the Big 4 public accounting firms. The significant income disparity between the lower and upper ends of the pay scale often stems from factors such as licensure, specialty areas, and whether an individual is on a partner track. Accountants looking to enhance their earnings should consider obtaining CPA licenses and gaining experience in high-demand specialties like tax or forensic accounting, as these can lead to increased salaries and better job prospects within the Pelham market.
More salary data for Pelham, 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 $66,454 for accountantsin the Pelham 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
Salary data for Pelham is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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