Accountant Hourly Pay in Bristol, CT: $46.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Bristol, CT runs $46.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,661 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Bristol's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.9, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $43.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,997 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bristol, Connecticut, the accountant hourly pay is projected to reach $46.47 by 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $41.28. This elevated hourly rate positions Bristol’s accounting professionals favorably, particularly for part-time and per-diem workers who often seek flexible work arrangements. A typical part-time accountant working three days a week could expect to earn a steady income from this hourly rate while engaging in various settings—from bustling client engagement rooms in public firms to remote tax season work-from-home setups. For individuals just entering the field, hourly earnings start at around $29.57, while seasoned professionals and specialists can command rates as high as $72.03, reflecting the broad range of opportunities within the accounting sector in this area.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.57 | $236.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.51 | $308.08 |
| Median (P50) | $46.47 | $371.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.48 | $475.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.03 | $576.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bristol
Based on $46.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.47/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bristol, CT can expect to earn approximately $96,662 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,766. With a cost-of-living index of 107.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bristol.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bristol
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,858.88 | $8,055 | $96,662 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,115.33 | $4,833 | $57,997 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $743.55 | $3,222 | $38,665 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Bristol) | $46.47 |
| 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 Bristol, CT earn a median of $96,661 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.57% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 0.80% below the Connecticut state average of $97,440.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.47/hr = $57,997/year (purchasing power: $53,751).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $96,662/year (purchasing power: $89,585).
CoL index: 107.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$38.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Bristol grew 17.0% from $38.72/hr (2019) to $45.29/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.68/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 Bristol 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 Bristol
While Bristol accountants can appreciate their attractive hourly rates, the dynamics of the profession reveal additional dimensions regarding part-time and per-diem work. An accountant working a 24-hour week at the median rate would take home approximately $58,827 annually, a figure that, while respectable, still falls short of full-time earnings. On the per-diem side, accounting professionals often bill between $50 and $95 per hour, with specialized roles, such as those from Big 4 firms or forensic accounting experts, charging premium rates that can reach $300 to $600 per hour during high-stakes litigation. The employer type also influences pay; while Big 4 firms might provide slightly lower hourly rates compared to corporate sectors, they offer valuable experience and networking opportunities that can be crucial for career advancement. When negotiating pay, accountants should weigh the benefits of insurance and job security against the allure of higher hourly rates with less stability, adapting their strategies to the Bristol market's unique attributes.
More salary data for Bristol, CT:
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 Bristol. 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 Bristol 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