Accountant Salary

Alexandria vs Baton Rouge: Accountant Salary (2026)

Compare accountant salaries between Alexandria, LA and Baton Rouge, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Alexandria, LA
$66,214
$31.83/hr
Baton Rouge, LA
$74,977
$36.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlexandria, LABaton Rouge, LA
Median Salary$66,214$74,977
Hourly Rate$31.83$36.05
Entry Level (P10)$49,058$51,120
25th Percentile$61,197$62,910
75th Percentile$82,191$94,104
Top Earner (P90)$102,251$117,632
Total Employed4003,410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Alexandria ($66,214) and Baton Rouge ($74,977) accountant salaries.AlexandriaBaton RougeMedian Salary$66,214$74,977Entry Level (P10)$49,058$51,120Top Earner (P90)$102,251$117,632US Median $85,864

Verdict

Baton Rouge, LA offers better overall compensation for accountants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Alexandria.

The salary gap between Alexandria and Baton Rouge is $8,763 (13.23%). Baton Rouge's median is -12.68% compared to the US national median of $85,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Alexandria spans $53,193,Baton Rouge spans $66,512. Baton Rouge has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced accountants.

Alexandria
P10 (Entry)$49,058
P25$61,197
Median$66,214
P75$82,191
P90 (Top)$102,251
Baton Rouge
P10 (Entry)$51,120
P25$62,910
Median$74,977
P75$94,104
P90 (Top)$117,632

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Baton Rouge ($82,592 effective) pays 6.88% more than Alexandria ($77,275 effective).

Alexandria
Nominal: $66,214
CoL Index: 85.686
Adjusted: $77,275
Baton Rouge
Nominal: $74,977
CoL Index: 90.78
Adjusted: $82,592

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Alexandria if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Baton Rouge if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,977/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($117,632)
  • Larger job market (3,410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $82,592)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, accountant salaries in Alexandria grew 5.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 25.9% growth in Baton Rouge over the same period.

Alexandria, LA

+5.5%

$61,140 (2019) → $64,530 (2025)

Baton Rouge, LA

+25.9%

$58,030 (2019) → $73,070 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: Alexandria or Baton Rouge?

Baton Rouge has a higher median accountant salary at $74,977/year, compared to Alexandria at $66,214/year — a difference of $8,763 (13.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Alexandria and Baton Rouge?

Alexandria accountants earn $31.83/hr while Baton Rouge hygienists earn $36.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Alexandria to Baton Rouge as a accountant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Alexandria and Baton Rouge. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Alexandria = $77,275, Baton Rouge = $82,592), job availability (400 vs 3,410 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level accountants earn in Alexandria vs Baton Rouge?

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $49,058 in Alexandria and $51,120 in Baton Rouge. The Baton Rouge area offers higher starting salaries.
SP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Chen, CMAData verified by Amina Khan, MBA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.61% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov