Accountant Salary in Portage, IN: $76,744 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Portage, IN earns a median $76,744/year (≈ $36.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Portage's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $84,057 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Accountants in Portage, Indiana, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $76,744 in 2026, positioning them approximately 10.62% below the national median of $85,864 for the same year. Salary ranges for accountants are projected to be quite broad, from $53,579 at the P10 level to $118,954 at the P90 level. These figures are reflective of local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost similarities, suggesting a market influenced by various accounting sectors, including public firms and corporate accounting departments. The competitive environment, typified by the presence of Big 4 firms and regional players, shapes the pay structure significantly, indicating opportunities for both new and seasoned accountants in the area.
About the Portage Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,579 | $25.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,277 | $29.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,744 | $36.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,233 | $47.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,954 | $57.18 |
Median Salary Position
10.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portage
In Portage, IN, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,375 (2026 est.). At $76,744, the local median is 10.62% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portage: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portage Accountant Pay Compares
Portage median: $76,744/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portage Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $79,445 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -10.62% less |
Accountants in Portage, IN earn a median of $76,744 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.62% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 3.40% below the Indiana state average of $79,445.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portage has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portage, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $76,744 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $84,057 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,950
2025 BLS Actual
$74,792
2026 Current Est.
$76,744
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Portage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,747 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,045 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,715 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,396 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,792 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,744 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,747 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portage metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $63,950 (2019) to $74,792 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,747 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,797 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portage 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) | $53,579 – $62,277 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,277 – $76,744 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,744 – $98,233 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,233 – $118,954 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Portage
In Portage, only ten accountants are currently employed, which reveals a limited but potentially stable job market. The local cost of living index stands at 91.3, meaning that salaries stretch further compared to national averages, increasing effective purchasing power for residents. Among the various employers, Big 4 firms typically offer the highest salaries, although many accountants may transition to corporate roles after gaining experience. Pay can differ widely based on factors such as the attainment of a CPA license, firm prestige, and specialized skills in areas like tax or forensic accounting. Strategies to enhance earning potential include pursuing advanced certifications, networking within the Big 4 pipeline, and considering opportunities in industries known for higher compensations, maximizing both short-term income and long-term career growth in Portage.
More salary data for Portage, IN:
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
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 $74,792 for accountantsin the Portage 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
Salary data for Portage 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