Accountant Salary in Palm Bay, FL: $77,840 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Palm Bay, FL earns a median $77,840/year (≈ $37.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Palm Bay's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.0), that paycheck buys what $77,836 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, accountants in Palm Bay, Florida, can anticipate a median salary of $77,840, which reflects a noticeable gap compared to the national median of $85,864. The salary range for this profession is quite broad, spanning from $51,295 for entry-level positions to as high as $132,593 for seasoned professionals. These insights derive from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, offering a stark illustration of the geographic and organizational disparities in accountant pay. The financial landscape in Palm Bay illustrates the evolving job market and highlights the competition among local firms, with many accountants transitioning between public firms and corporate roles to optimize their earnings potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,295 | $24.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,156 | $30.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,840 | $37.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,811 | $49.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,593 | $63.75 |
Median Salary Position
9.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Palm Bay
In Palm Bay, FL, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,298 (2026 est.). At $77,840, the local median is 9.35% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Palm Bay: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Palm Bay Accountant Pay Compares
Palm Bay median: $77,840/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Palm Bay Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $79,106 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -9.35% less |
Accountants in Palm Bay, FL earn a median of $77,840 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.35% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 1.60% below the Florida state average of $79,106.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Palm Bay has a cost of living 0.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Palm Bay, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.005 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,840 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,836 — a 0.01% reduction.
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
$64,970
2025 BLS Actual
$75,860
2026 Current Est.
$77,840
2019–2027 Growth
+22.9%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Palm Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,840 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,872 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Palm Bay metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 16.8% from $64,970 (2019) to $75,860 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,872 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,902 (22.94%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palm Bay 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) | $51,295 – $63,156 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,156 – $77,840 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,840 – $103,811 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,811 – $132,593 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Palm Bay
The strength of the accountant job market in Palm Bay is evident, with approximately 2,110 accountants currently employed in the area. Despite the cost of living index sitting slightly above the national average at 100.005, the salaries may not provide the same purchasing power as in other regions. Employers in Palm Bay include traditional Big 4 firms, regional CPA practices, corporate accounting departments, and various boutique firms, each offering different pay scales. A critical factor influencing compensation is the CPA license, which can lead to significantly higher pay as accountants gain experience. Knowledge in specialized areas like tax or forensic accounting can further elevate earning potential. To maximize pay, it is advisable for accounting professionals to seek certifications, network actively within the local business community, and consider roles in firms that offer comprehensive professional development and firm leadership pathways.
More salary data for Palm Bay, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Palm Bay, FL in 2026?
Is Palm Bay, FL a good place to work as a accountant?
Can accountants make $100K in Palm Bay?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted accountant salary in Palm Bay?
How much does a accountant make per hour in Palm Bay?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Florida
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 $75,860 for accountantsin the Palm Bay 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