Accountant Hourly Pay in Athens, GA: $37.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Athens, GA runs $37.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,881 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Athens's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,728 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Athens, Georgia, the accountant hourly pay stands at a median of $37.44, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $41.28. This difference highlights the unique economic landscape in Athens, where various work settings—such as client engagement rooms in public firms, corporate finance department offices, IRS field cubicles, and even remote setups during tax season—can significantly influence an accountant's earning potential. For entry-level accountants, starting rates can be around $23.49, while those with extensive experience may earn as much as $65.82 per hour. With these figures based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, it's clear that accountants in Athens have a range of opportunities that cater to both full-time professionals and part-time or per-diem workers.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.49 | $187.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.35 | $234.77 |
| Median (P50) | $37.44 | $299.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.01 | $400.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.82 | $526.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Athens
Based on $37.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.44/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Athens, GA can expect to earn approximately $77,880 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,931. With a cost-of-living index of 93.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Athens.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Athens
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,497.70 | $6,490 | $77,880 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $898.62 | $3,894 | $46,728 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $599.08 | $2,596 | $31,152 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Athens) | $37.44 |
| 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 Athens, GA earn a median of $77,881 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.30% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 1.00% above the Georgia state average of $77,110.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.44/hr = $46,728/year (purchasing power: $50,061).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,880/year (purchasing power: $83,434).
CoL index: 93.343 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Athens grew 27.5% from $28.61/hr (2019) to $36.49/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.42/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 Athens 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 Athens
Turning to part-time earnings, an accountant working three days a week—totaling 24 hours—can expect to take home approximately $46,730 per year, compared to full-time counterparts who work 40 hours weekly. Depending on specialty and company type, per-diem accountants can charge anywhere from $50 to $95 per hour for their services. Former Big 4 accountants may garner rates from $80 to $130 during the busy season, while expert witnesses in forensic accounting can bill as much as $600 an hour. In Athens, variations in hourly rates also occur across different employment settings, with public accounting firms like Deloitte or PwC typically offering competitive rates, compared to smaller CPA practices or government roles, where benefits play a crucial role in overall compensation. Those willing to forgo benefits for higher hourly rates still need to navigate the local employment market carefully, ensuring they are negotiating effectively based on their skills and the expected demand within Athens, GA.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for accountants in Athens in 2026?
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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 Athens. 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