Accountant Salary in Portland, OR: $94,606 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Portland, OR earns a median $94,606/year (≈ $45.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Portland's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $89,741 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.0% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, accountants in Portland, Oregon, can expect a median annual salary of $94,606, a healthy 10.18% above the national figure of $85,864. The salary range for this profession in the city spans from $66,368 at the 10th percentile to $140,299 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating substantial earnings potential based on experience, specialization, and employer type. These figures are derived from projected data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and reflect the market's competitive nature. With the prevalence of certification as a CPA, licensed accountants often see a significant pay jump compared to their non-licensed counterparts, particularly as they transition from staff to senior roles. This dynamic is indicative of the high demand for qualified accountants in Portland’s diverse economy.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,368 | $31.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,907 | $37.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,606 | $45.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,738 | $54.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,299 | $67.45 |
Median Salary Position
10.18% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, OR, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,931 (2026 est.). At $94,606, the local median is 10.18% above the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portland Accountant Pay Compares
Portland median: $94,606/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $83,722 | +13.00% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | +10.18% more |
Accountants in Portland, OR earn a median of $94,606 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.18% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 13.00% above the Oregon state average of $83,722.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 105.421 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $94,606 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $89,741 — a 5.14% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$69,690
2025 BLS Actual
$92,200
2026 Current Est.
$94,606
2019–2027 Growth
+39.3%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,606 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,076 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 32.3% from $69,690 (2019) to $92,200 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,076 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,386 (39.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $66,368 – $78,907 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,907 – $94,606 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,606 – $112,738 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,738 – $140,299 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Portland
Portland's job market supports around 10,100 accountants, indicating a robust demand for financial professionals. The cost of living index stands at 105.421, which is slightly above the national average, suggesting that salaries may need to accommodate for higher living expenses. In terms of compensation, Big 4 firms like Deloitte and PwC generally offer the highest salaries, while regional CPA firms, corporate accounting divisions, and specialized practices also provide competitive pay. The disparity in earnings often comes from various factors, including the prestige associated with top-tier firms, the entry-to-senior pay gap fueled by CPA licensure, and available bonuses that can be substantial during busy seasons. For those in Portland seeking to maximize their accountant salary, pursuing CPA certification, targeting opportunities in public accounting and finance, and networking within industry circles can provide significant advantages in achieving higher earnings in this competitive market.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Portland, OR in 2026?
Is Portland, OR a good place to work as a accountant?
Can accountants make $100K in Portland?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted accountant salary in Portland?
How much does a accountant make per hour in Portland?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oregon
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 $92,200 for accountantsin the Portland 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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