Accountant Hourly Pay in Dover, DE: $35.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Dover, DE runs $35.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,628 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Dover's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.5, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,782 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dover, Delaware, accountants earn a median hourly rate of $35.88, which is notably lower than the national median of $41.28. This figure reflects competitive dynamics within the local accounting market, where part-time and per-diem opportunities exist across various settings, including public firm client engagement rooms and corporate finance departments. For those working part-time, like accountants on a three-day workweek, the hourly compensation can significantly impact potential earnings, leading to income variations even within entry-level positions (starting at around $24.06) and established top earners (up to $55.15). The provided hourly data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) findings, making it a reliable reference point for both aspiring and current accounting professionals in the region.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.06 | $192.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.04 | $232.31 |
| Median (P50) | $35.88 | $287.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.97 | $375.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.15 | $441.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dover
Based on $35.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.88/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dover, DE can expect to earn approximately $74,636 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,059. With a cost-of-living index of 97.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dover.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dover
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,435.31 | $6,220 | $74,636 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $861.19 | $3,732 | $44,782 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $574.12 | $2,488 | $29,854 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Dover) | $35.88 |
| 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 Dover, DE earn a median of $74,628 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.09% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 14.50% below the Delaware state average of $87,285.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.88/hr = $44,782/year (purchasing power: $45,927).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,636/year (purchasing power: $76,544).
CoL index: 97.507 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Dover grew 22.2% from $28.62/hr (2019) to $34.97/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.82/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 Dover 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 Dover
In terms of annual earnings for part-time accountants working 24 hours a week in Dover, the potential annual income falls considerably short compared to those in full-time positions. Per-diem accountants or independent contractors can see vastly different compensation levels; they often charge between $50 and $95 per hour, depending on their specialties. In peak seasons, such as tax season, those who transition into temporary roles with Big 4 firms might find themselves billing rates that range from $80 to $130 hourly. Furthermore, hourly rates vary between different employer types, including national firms versus regional CPA firms or government positions. Accountants in Dover may choose to accept lower hourly wages from employers offering benefits such as health insurance, recognizing a trade-off between hourly pay and job security. For negotiation, knowing the going rates for specific functions or firms can empower accountants to advocate for better pay and conditions suited to their expertise and career trajectory.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
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 Dover. 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