Accountant Salary in Los Alamos, NM: $74,708 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Los Alamos, NM earns a median $74,708/year (≈ $35.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Los Alamos's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $79,140 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, accountants in Los Alamos, NM, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $74,708. This figure reflects the current market conditions, situating the earnings within a range from $53,872 at the 10th percentile to $115,797 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted to account for local regional price parities, illustrate a competitive, albeit smaller, market for accounting professionals in the area. Beyond the median, the significant spread in compensation often relates to the transition from public to industry roles, a common trajectory for many accountants in this tight-knit community, which can influence lifetime earnings potential.
About the Los Alamos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,872 | $25.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,858 | $29.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,708 | $35.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,626 | $45.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,797 | $55.68 |
Median Salary Position
12.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Alamos
In Los Alamos, NM, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,925 (2026 est.). At $74,708, the local median is 12.99% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Alamos: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Alamos Accountant Pay Compares
Los Alamos median: $74,708/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Alamos Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $81,029 | -7.80% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -12.99% less |
Accountants in Los Alamos, NM earn a median of $74,708 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.99% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 7.80% below the New Mexico state average of $81,029.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Alamos has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Alamos, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $74,708 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,140 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,254
2025 BLS Actual
$72,808
2026 Current Est.
$74,708
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Los Alamos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,254 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,003 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,213 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,866 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,502 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,645 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,808 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,708 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,658 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Alamos metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $62,254 (2019) to $72,808 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,658 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,404 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Alamos 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) | $53,872 – $61,858 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,858 – $74,708 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,708 – $95,626 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,626 – $115,797 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Los Alamos
The job market for accountants in Los Alamos is relatively limited, with only six professionals currently employed in this sector. The cost of living index, which stands at 94.4, indicates that while salaries may appear below national averages, the purchasing power for residents is slightly enhanced due to lower living costs. Among various employers, corporate accounting departments and federal government positions generally offer salaries that surpass those found in local boutique tax or small CPA firms, making them attractive options for maximizing accountant pay in Los Alamos, NM. The diverse pay scale stems from factors such as CPA licensure and the prestige tied to larger firms like Deloitte and other Big 4 entities, which can command higher salaries due to their reputation and the specialization they offer. To optimize earning potential in Los Alamos, targeting larger firms or exploring specialty roles in tax or forensic accounting, while keeping an eye on industry trends, could lead to more lucrative opportunities.
More salary data for Los Alamos, NM:
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 $72,808 for accountantsin the Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos 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