Accountant Salary

Huntsville vs Pelham: Accountant Salary (2026)

Compare accountant salaries between Huntsville, AL and Pelham, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Huntsville, AL
$81,288
$39.08/hr
Pelham, AL
$68,188
$32.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuntsville, ALPelham, AL
Median Salary$81,288$68,188
Hourly Rate$39.08$32.78
Entry Level (P10)$55,327$49,849
25th Percentile$65,445$56,737
75th Percentile$105,935$86,923
Top Earner (P90)$137,867$105,692
Total Employed3,0104
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huntsville ($81,288) and Pelham ($68,188) accountant salaries.HuntsvillePelhamMedian Salary$81,288$68,188Entry Level (P10)$55,327$49,849Top Earner (P90)$137,867$105,692US Median $85,864

Verdict

Huntsville, AL offers better overall compensation for accountants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pelham.

The salary gap between Huntsville and Pelham is $13,100 (19.21%). Huntsville's median is -5.33% compared to the US national median of $85,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Huntsville spans $82,540,Pelham spans $55,843. Huntsville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$55,327
P25$65,445
Median$81,288
P75$105,935
P90 (Top)$137,867
Pelham
P10 (Entry)$49,849
P25$56,737
Median$68,188
P75$86,923
P90 (Top)$105,692

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntsville ($87,339 effective) pays 12.59% more than Pelham ($77,575 effective).

Huntsville
Nominal: $81,288
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $87,339
Pelham
Nominal: $68,188
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $77,575

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,288/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($137,867)
  • Larger job market (3,010 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $87,339)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Pelham if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, accountant salaries in Huntsville grew 16.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.2% growth in Pelham over the same period.

Huntsville, AL

+16.1%

$68,230 (2019) → $79,220 (2025)

Pelham, AL

+20.2%

$55,275 (2024) → $66,454 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: Huntsville or Pelham?

Huntsville has a higher median accountant salary at $81,288/year, compared to Pelham at $68,188/year — a difference of $13,100 (19.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huntsville and Pelham?

Huntsville accountants earn $39.08/hr while Pelham hygienists earn $32.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Huntsville to Pelham as a accountant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huntsville and Pelham. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huntsville = $87,339, Pelham = $77,575), job availability (3,010 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level accountants earn in Huntsville vs Pelham?

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $55,327 in Huntsville and $49,849 in Pelham. The Huntsville 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