Accountant Hourly Pay in Pelham, AL: $32.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Pelham, AL runs $32.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,188 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Pelham's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,914 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With an estimated hourly pay of $32.78 in Pelham, Alabama, accountants earn less than the national median of $41.28 per hour. This discrepancy may influence those considering part-time roles, such as positions requiring a three-day work week, or per-diem opportunities in various settings like corporate finance offices or public accounting firms. For early-career professionals, hourly rates at the lower end can start around $23.97, while experienced accountants, especially those in specialized areas, can command rates approaching $50.81. These figures reflect a range estimated from annual salaries, illustrating the dynamic shifts within the accounting profession in Pelham.
About the Pelham Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.97 | $191.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.27 | $218.19 |
| Median (P50) | $32.78 | $262.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.79 | $334.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.81 | $406.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pelham
Based on $32.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.78/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pelham, AL can expect to earn approximately $68,191 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,341. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pelham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pelham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,311.36 | $5,683 | $68,191 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $786.81 | $3,410 | $40,914 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $524.54 | $2,273 | $27,276 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Pelham) | $32.78 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Bookkeeping / Accounting Clerk (National Avg) | $22.93 |
| Auditor (National Avg) | $39.88 |
| Tax Examiner / Collector (National Avg) | $29.61 |
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.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.78/hr = $40,914/year (purchasing power: $46,546).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,191/year (purchasing power: $77,577).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Pelham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Pelham grew 17.0% from $27.32/hr (2019) to $31.95/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.64/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem accountants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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.
Working as an Hourly Accountant in Pelham
In terms of part-time earning potential, accounting professionals working three days a week at 24 hours may take home significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Per diem accountants often charge anywhere from $50 to $95 per hour, depending on their niche expertise. High-demand specialists, such as those from Big 4 firms who engage in busy-season work, can bill $80 to $130 hourly. The employer type influences hourly rates; accountants in large firms or state agencies may earn differently compared to those in boutique firms or solo practices. While some may prefer the financial security of lower hourly wages that come with benefits, others opt for higher pay without fringe benefits. Negotiation strategies can also differ, with individuals needing to assess their market value in Pelham carefully, especially when approaching potential employers in a diverse landscape, from mid-tier CPA firms to federal agencies.
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for accountants in Pelham. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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