Accountant Hourly Pay in Merced, CA: $39.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Merced, CA runs $39.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,519 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Merced's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,507 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Merced, California, accountants earn a median hourly rate of $39.67, which falls slightly below the national average of $41.28. This wage offers flexibility for part-time individuals, such as those working three days a week, allowing for a manageable work-life balance while still earning a decent income. Per-diem accountants in Merced often find themselves in settings that range from client engagement rooms in public firms to remote work during tax season, presenting dynamic opportunities for varied work environments. The hourly rates can vary widely, starting from $26.53 for entry-level positions to $64.59 for experienced professionals, reflecting diverse skill levels and job roles within the field.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.53 | $212.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.92 | $255.38 |
| Median (P50) | $39.67 | $317.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.61 | $412.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.59 | $516.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Merced
Based on $39.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.67/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Merced, CA can expect to earn approximately $82,512 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,603. With a cost-of-living index of 98.28 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Merced.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Merced
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,586.76 | $6,876 | $82,512 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $952.06 | $4,126 | $49,507 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $634.70 | $2,750 | $33,005 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Merced) | $39.67 |
| 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 Merced, CA earn a median of $82,519 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.90% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 4.20% below the California state average of $86,137.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.67/hr = $49,507/year (purchasing power: $50,376).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,512/year (purchasing power: $83,960).
CoL index: 98.275 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+16.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Merced (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Merced grew 10.7% from $34.91/hr (2019) to $38.66/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.70/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 Merced 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 Merced
For those considering part-time opportunities, a 24-hour workweek translates into an annual income that is significantly lower than that of full-time counterparts; thus, understanding the implications of reduced hours is crucial. Per-diem accountants might earn between $50-$95 per hour depending on the specialty, while experienced professionals from Big 4 firms working seasonal engagements can command between $80-$130 per hour. Variations in hourly pay reflect the employer type, with Big 4 firms generally offering higher rates compared to regional CPAs or government positions. Accountants often face a decision between accepting lower hourly rates for full benefits or pursuing higher pay without them. For optimal negotiating leverage in Merced, accountants should highlight their unique skills and be prepared to articulate their value proposition, making clear distinctions that can justify higher hourly rates.
More salary data for Merced, 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 Merced. 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