Accountant Hourly Pay in Irvine, CA: $43.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Irvine, CA runs $43.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,450 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Irvine's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $38.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,669 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Irvine's accountant hourly pay is projected to reach an impressive $43.00 per hour in 2026, exceeding the national median of $41.28 per hour by 4.18%. This figure represents a robust earning potential for both full-time and part-time accountants in the area, particularly for those working three days a week or engaging in per-diem positions. In diverse settings such as corporate finance offices, public accounting firms, and remote tax preparation, accountants can expect to earn between $28.34 at the entry level to as high as $66.66 for seasoned professionals. These hourly rates, derived from corresponding annual salary data, indicate healthy compensation dynamics that reflect the strong demand for accounting expertise in the region.
About the Irvine 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) | $28.34 | $226.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.14 | $273.11 |
| Median (P50) | $43.00 | $344.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.05 | $440.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66.66 | $533.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Irvine
Based on $43.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.00/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Irvine, CA can expect to earn approximately $89,448 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,605. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Irvine.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Irvine
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,720.15 | $7,454 | $89,448 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,032.09 | $4,472 | $53,669 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $688.06 | $2,982 | $35,779 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Irvine) | $43.00 |
| 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 Irvine, CA earn a median of $89,450 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.18% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 3.90% above the California state average of $86,093.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.00/hr = $53,669/year (purchasing power: $47,453).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,448/year (purchasing power: $79,088).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Irvine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Irvine grew 17.0% from $35.83/hr (2019) to $41.91/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.13/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 Irvine 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 Irvine
When considering the earning potential for part-time accountants who work 24 hours a week, annual take-home pay can significantly differ from full-time counterparts. For those billing on a per-diem basis, 1099 contract accountants generally charge between $50 and $95 an hour, with some Big 4 alumni fetching up to $130 per hour during busy seasons. Forensic and valuation experts commanding hourly rates from $300 to $600 also contribute to the higher earning landscape in Irvine. Hourly rates vary considerably depending on whether accountants find themselves in the prestigious Big 4 firms or regional CPA practices, with many professionals weighing the benefits of stable employment against the allure of higher hourly pay in contract positions. Negotiating hourly rates in Irvine requires an understanding of these variances, along with an awareness of the potential trade-offs regarding benefits and work-life balance often associated with higher rates in freelance or per-diem roles.
More salary data for Irvine, 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 Irvine. 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 Irvine 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