Accountant Hourly Pay in Richmond, CA: $42.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Richmond, CA runs $42.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,740 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Richmond's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $37.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,644 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Richmond, California, the accountant hourly pay stands at a median of $42.18, slightly above the national median of $41.28. This competitive rate makes accounting an appealing career for those considering part-time or per diem work. For accountants working three days a week, a 24-hour schedule translates to a potential annual income that allows for a comfortable lifestyle. The hourly wage ranges from $26.60 for entry-level positions up to $65.38 for the region's highest earners. Such figures provide insight into the earnings landscape for accountants in various settings — whether engaged in corporate finance departments, public accounting firms, or specialized forensic workrooms.
About the Richmond 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) | $26.60 | $212.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.45 | $259.56 |
| Median (P50) | $42.18 | $337.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.99 | $431.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.38 | $523.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richmond
Based on $42.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.18/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richmond, CA can expect to earn approximately $87,741 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,620. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Richmond.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richmond
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,687.32 | $7,312 | $87,741 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,012.39 | $4,387 | $52,644 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $674.93 | $2,925 | $35,096 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Richmond) | $42.18 |
| 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 Richmond, CA earn a median of $87,740 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.18% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 1.90% above the California state average of $86,104.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.18/hr = $52,644/year (purchasing power: $46,547).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,741/year (purchasing power: $77,578).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Richmond grew 17.0% from $35.15/hr (2019) to $41.11/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.28/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 Richmond 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 Richmond
From a practical perspective, part-time accountants in Richmond who commit to a 3-day workweek can anticipate an annual income significantly lower than full-time counterparts, yet still decent, reflecting a balance between work-life preferences and financial goals. Per diem accountants often leverage their skills to command hourly rates between $50 and $95, depending on their specialties. Notably, those with experience in high-demand areas like forensic accounting can charge up to $600 per hour when acting as expert witnesses. Employers ranging from Big 4 firms to boutique practices offer varying rates, with public accounting firms typically providing more structured compensation — albeit with greater benefits — while smaller firms may offer higher hourly wages with fewer perks. Accountants negotiating their rates should consider the trade-offs between higher pay and benefits such as health insurance, carefully assessing their situation to determine the ideal balance for their career.
More salary data for Richmond, 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 Richmond. 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 Richmond 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