Accountant Hourly Pay in Lakeland, FL: $37.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Lakeland, FL runs $37.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,825 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Lakeland's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,304 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lakeland, Florida, the median hourly pay for accountants reaches $37.90, which trails the national median of $41.28 per hour. This difference highlights how local factors may impact compensation, making Lakeland's pay structure appealing for both part-time and per-diem positions. Working part-time, such as three days per week, allows professionals to earn a competitive wage while enjoying flexibility in their schedules, ideal for roles within corporate finance offices or even remote settings during tax season. Entry-level accountants, earning around $24.40 per hour, may work alongside experienced professionals who can command rates as high as $61.56 per hour, reflecting the diverse levels of expertise and responsibility within the field.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.40 | $195.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.12 | $240.93 |
| Median (P50) | $37.90 | $303.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.06 | $384.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.56 | $492.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lakeland
Based on $37.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.90/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lakeland, FL can expect to earn approximately $78,841 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,485. With a cost-of-living index of 97.14 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lakeland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lakeland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,516.17 | $6,570 | $78,841 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $909.70 | $3,942 | $47,304 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $606.47 | $2,628 | $31,536 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Lakeland) | $37.90 |
| 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 Lakeland, FL earn a median of $78,825 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.20% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 0.30% below the Florida state average of $79,062.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.90/hr = $47,304/year (purchasing power: $48,697).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,841/year (purchasing power: $81,161).
CoL index: 97.141 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Lakeland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Lakeland grew 23.4% from $29.94/hr (2019) to $36.94/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.89/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 Lakeland 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 Lakeland
Full-time accountants in Lakeland, working 24 hours a week, would bring in a yearly income substantially lower than their full-time counterparts. In contrast, per diem accountants operating on a contract basis can often bill between $50 and $95 per hour, depending on their specialization. Alumni from Big 4 firms engaged in seasonal work can see rates soar to $80-$130 per hour, while forensic and valuation experts might land billing rates from $300 to $600 per hour in litigation contexts. The hourly pay for accountants varies significantly across employer types in Lakeland, with Big 4 firms typically offering higher initial rates compared to regional CPA firms or corporate accounting jobs. Many professionals opt for stability and benefits in lower-paying positions rather than pursuing higher hourly rates without these advantages. Understanding the negotiation landscape is vital; emphasizing specialized skills or certifications can help accountants in Lakeland secure favorable pay terms that reflect regional economic conditions.
More salary data for Lakeland, FL:
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 Lakeland. 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