Accountant Hourly Pay in Chico, CA: $38.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Chico, CA runs $38.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,707 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Chico's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.2, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $37.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,829 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Accountants in Chico, CA, earn a median hourly wage of $38.32, which sits below the national median of $41.28. This rate reflects what professionals can expect in diverse work environments, including client engagement rooms at public firms and corporate finance offices, as well as remote setups during tax season. For those working part-time, such as a typical 3-day work week, or in per-diem positions, this means earnings vary significantly within the range of $27.59 to $62.29 per hour. The differentiating factors affecting hourly pay include experience and specialization, which is crucial information for both new entrants to the field and established professionals considering a transition to freelance or contract work.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.59 | $220.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.20 | $257.59 |
| Median (P50) | $38.32 | $306.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.12 | $384.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.29 | $498.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chico
Based on $38.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.32/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chico, CA can expect to earn approximately $79,716 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,990. With a cost-of-living index of 101.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chico.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chico
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,532.99 | $6,643 | $79,716 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $919.80 | $3,986 | $47,829 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $613.20 | $2,657 | $31,886 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Chico) | $38.32 |
| 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 Chico, CA earn a median of $79,707 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.17% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 7.40% below the California state average of $86,077.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.32/hr = $47,829/year (purchasing power: $47,264).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,716/year (purchasing power: $78,773).
CoL index: 101.197 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Chico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Chico grew 34.8% from $27.70/hr (2019) to $37.35/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.33/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 Chico 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 Chico
For part-time accountants, a 3-day work week, totalling roughly 24 hours, leads to annual earnings significantly lower than those of full-time colleagues. Given Chico's market, per-diem or 1099 contract accountants often bill from $50 to $95 per hour, with those affiliated with Big 4 firms attracting rates closer to $80 to $130 during busy seasons. Specialists in forensic accounting can see rates soar as high as $300 to $600 per hour when serving as expert witnesses. Hourly rates fluctuate among employers — with larger public accounting firms generally offering competitive salaries compared to corporate accounting departments and boutique firms. Some professionals may accept lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like healthcare insurance, while others may choose higher rates with no benefits, balancing financial needs against job security. Accountants negotiating in Chico should highlight their specialization and experience to command the best possible terms.
More salary data for Chico, 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 Chico. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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