Accountant Hourly Pay in Alhambra, CA: $40.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Alhambra, CA runs $40.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,850 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Alhambra's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,916 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Alhambra, California, accountants can expect a median hourly pay of $40.80, positioning them slightly below the national median of $41.28. This hourly rate opens opportunities for both part-time professionals and per-diem workers in various settings, including corporate offices, IRS field locations, and remote tax season environments. With the hourly pay scale spanning from $28.78 at entry-level positions to $63.23 for top earners, the potential for growth is evident. Those considering part-time work can leverage this rate across flexible schedules, while per-diem accountants often find that their hourly earnings can fluctuate based on project type and client needs. The hourly figures provided here are derived from annual salary estimations, reflecting broader trends within the accounting profession in 2026.
About the Alhambra Market
Salary estimated from California average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.78 | $230.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.47 | $267.77 |
| Median (P50) | $40.80 | $326.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.22 | $417.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.23 | $505.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Alhambra
Based on $40.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.80/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Alhambra, CA can expect to earn approximately $84,859 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,957. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Alhambra.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Alhambra
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,631.91 | $7,072 | $84,859 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $979.15 | $4,243 | $50,916 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $652.76 | $2,829 | $33,944 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Alhambra) | $40.80 |
| 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 Alhambra, CA earn a median of $84,850 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.18% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 1.50% below the California state average of $86,142.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.80/hr = $50,916/year (purchasing power: $45,018).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,859/year (purchasing power: $75,030).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Alhambra (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Alhambra grew 17.0% from $34.00/hr (2019) to $39.76/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.86/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 Alhambra 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 Alhambra
Now, looking deeper at the earning potential in Alhambra, a part-time accountant working three days a week (24 hours) can expect to take home approximately $51,192 annually, a substantial figure when compared to the financial commitments typical for many professionals. Per-diem accountants, frequently hired on a contract basis, can see billing rates from $50 to $95 per hour, with those affiliated with Big 4 firms earning rates ranging from $80 to $130 during peak busy seasons. Specialized areas, such as forensic accounting, may command even higher fees, with expert witnesses billing between $300 and $600 per hour. The hourly rates vary notably depending on the type of employer, whether it's the prestigious Big 4 or smaller boutique firms. While some accountants may opt for positions with lower hourly wages to secure health benefits, others are drawn to the opportunities for higher pay without such perks. Negotiating these rates requires an understanding of the local market trends in Alhambra and awareness of one's value in the competition for skilled accounting professionals.
More salary data for Alhambra, CA:
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 Alhambra. 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 Alhambra 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