Accountant Hourly Pay in Portage, IN: $36.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Portage, IN runs $36.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,744 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Portage's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,049 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Accountants in Portage, Indiana, earn a median hourly rate of $36.90, which is notably lower than the national average of $41.28. This variance illustrates the local employment landscape, where public accounting firms, corporate finance offices, and IRS field offices partake in offering competitive yet budget-conscious rates. For part-time individuals working three days a week, or those engaged in per-diem assignments, this rate translates to forty-eight hours of work generating around $1,769 monthly, allowing for a stable livelihood, albeit with limitations compared to full-time roles. Additionally, entry-level accountants typically start around $25.76, while top earners can command up to $57.18 per hour, reflecting a broad range of financial opportunities but also the impact of experience and specific job functions within the field.
About the Portage Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.76 | $206.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.94 | $239.53 |
| Median (P50) | $36.90 | $295.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.23 | $377.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.18 | $457.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portage
Based on $36.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.90/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portage, IN can expect to earn approximately $76,749 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,278. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Portage.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portage
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,475.94 | $6,396 | $76,749 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $885.57 | $3,837 | $46,049 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $590.38 | $2,558 | $30,700 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Portage) | $36.90 |
| 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 Portage, IN earn a median of $76,744 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.62% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 3.40% below the Indiana state average of $79,445.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.90/hr = $46,049/year (purchasing power: $50,437).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,749/year (purchasing power: $84,062).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Portage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Portage grew 17.0% from $30.75/hr (2019) to $35.96/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.86/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 Portage 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 Portage
When evaluating the per-diem accountant pay in Portage, it's essential to consider different employment avenues and the actual earnings potential they present. Accountants working on a contract basis can expect to bill anywhere from $50 to $95 per hour, depending on their specialization, while those with backgrounds from Big 4 firms may find lucrative busy-season assignments offering $80 to $130 per hour. In niche areas like forensic accounting, individuals can escalate their rates significantly—billing as much as $300 to $600 for expert witness testimonies. While corporate accounting departments may provide steady employment with benefits, some accountants opt for higher hourly compensation without benefits, weighing the trade-offs carefully. For those looking to negotiate their hourly rate in Portage, demonstrating expertise, flexibility in work arrangements, and willingness to adapt to the seasonal demands will be pivotal in securing favorable compensation.
More salary data for Portage, IN:
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 Portage. 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 Portage 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