Accountant Hourly Pay in Kansas City, KS: $39.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Kansas City, KS runs $39.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,651 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Kansas City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,597 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Kansas City, Kansas, offers an accountant hourly rate of $39.74, slightly below the national median of $41.28. This rate provides reasonable earnings for both full-time and part-time positions. For part-time accountants working three days a week, the potential earnings can make it an appealing choice, particularly for those wishing to balance work with other commitments. In this profession, hourly rates range from about $25.06, typically for entry-level positions, to $61.59 for top earners, indicating significant room for advancement and specialization within roles at public firms, corporate finance departments, and even remote gigs during peak seasons like tax time.
About the Kansas City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.06 | $200.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.44 | $243.56 |
| Median (P50) | $39.74 | $317.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.86 | $406.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.59 | $492.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kansas City
Based on $39.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.74/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kansas City, KS can expect to earn approximately $82,661 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,689. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kansas City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kansas City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,589.63 | $6,888 | $82,661 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $953.78 | $4,133 | $49,597 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $635.85 | $2,755 | $33,064 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Kansas City) | $39.74 |
| 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 Kansas City, KS earn a median of $82,651 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.74% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 5.90% above the Kansas state average of $78,047.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.74/hr = $49,597/year (purchasing power: $54,562).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,661/year (purchasing power: $90,936).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Kansas City grew 17.0% from $33.12/hr (2019) to $38.73/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.78/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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City
The part-time earning potential can be significant in Kansas City, as a three-day workweek totaling 24 hours results in a gross annual income that can differ considerably from full-time counterparts. For those opting for contract work, such as per diem accountants, rates can vary widely depending on expertise and employer types; for instance, individuals with specialties may command between $50-$95 per hour, with Big 4 alumni earning $80-$130 per hour during busy seasons. Corporate and government positions often provide less hourly pay in exchange for benefits, highlighting the ongoing trade-offs accountants negotiate in their careers. Furthermore, knowing the industry average can empower professionals to negotiate higher rates, particularly when moving between public accounting firms and private industry roles. In Kansas City, understanding the dynamics of employer types—ranging from Big 4 firms to boutique practices—can enhance prospects for career growth and earnings.
More salary data for Kansas City, KS:
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 Kansas City. 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 Kansas City 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