Accountant Salary

Ashland vs Portland: Accountant Salary (2026)

Compare accountant salaries between Ashland, OR and Portland, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Ashland, OR
$79,354
$38.15/hr
Portland, OR
$94,606
$45.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAshland, ORPortland, OR
Median Salary$79,354$94,606
Hourly Rate$38.15$45.49
Entry Level (P10)$54,229$66,368
25th Percentile$66,648$78,907
75th Percentile$98,690$112,738
Top Earner (P90)$123,000$140,299
Total Employed610,100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Ashland ($79,354) and Portland ($94,606) accountant salaries.AshlandPortlandMedian Salary$79,354$94,606Entry Level (P10)$54,229$66,368Top Earner (P90)$123,000$140,299US Median $85,864

Verdict

Portland, OR offers better overall compensation for accountants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Ashland.

The salary gap between Ashland and Portland is $15,252 (19.22%). Portland's median is +10.18% compared to the US national median of $85,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Ashland spans $68,771,Portland spans $73,931. Portland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced accountants.

Ashland
P10 (Entry)$54,229
P25$66,648
Median$79,354
P75$98,690
P90 (Top)$123,000
Portland
P10 (Entry)$66,368
P25$78,907
Median$94,606
P75$112,738
P90 (Top)$140,299

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($89,741 effective) pays 16.03% more than Ashland ($77,343 effective).

Ashland
Nominal: $79,354
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $77,343
Portland
Nominal: $94,606
CoL Index: 105.421
Adjusted: $89,741

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Ashland if…

  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($94,606/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($140,299)
  • Larger job market (10,100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $89,741)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, accountant salaries in Ashland grew -3.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 32.3% growth in Portland over the same period.

Ashland, OR

+-3.0%

$79,745 (2024) → $77,336 (2025)

Portland, OR

+32.3%

$69,690 (2019) → $92,200 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: Ashland or Portland?

Portland has a higher median accountant salary at $94,606/year, compared to Ashland at $79,354/year — a difference of $15,252 (19.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Ashland and Portland?

Ashland accountants earn $38.15/hr while Portland hygienists earn $45.49/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Ashland to Portland as a accountant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Ashland and Portland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Ashland = $77,343, Portland = $89,741), job availability (6 vs 10,100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level accountants earn in Ashland vs Portland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $54,229 in Ashland and $66,368 in Portland. The Portland area offers higher starting salaries.
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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.

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