Accountant Hourly Pay in Lawrence, KS: $38.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Lawrence, KS runs $38.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,113 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Lawrence's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.2, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,662 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, accountants in Lawrence, Kansas are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $38.99, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $41.28. This rate impacts part-time professionals working three days a week, allowing for a steady income while only committing to about 24 hours on the job. However, per-diem workers, such as those operating in various client engagement settings—whether in corporate finance departments, IRS offices, or remote tax seasons—can expect different earning dynamics. The local salary range for accountants varies from $26.12 at the entry level to $63.24 for the highest earners, reflecting diverse roles and responsibilities in the field. These figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), highlight the demand for accounting skills in the Lawrence area while outlining accessible opportunities for aspiring accountants.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.12 | $209.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.49 | $251.93 |
| Median (P50) | $38.99 | $311.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.76 | $390.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.24 | $505.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lawrence
Based on $38.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.99/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lawrence, KS can expect to earn approximately $81,103 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,790. With a cost-of-living index of 90.24 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lawrence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lawrence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,559.67 | $6,759 | $81,103 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $935.80 | $4,055 | $48,662 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $623.87 | $2,703 | $32,441 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Lawrence) | $38.99 |
| 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 Lawrence, KS earn a median of $81,113 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.53% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 3.90% above the Kansas state average of $78,069.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.99/hr = $48,662/year (purchasing power: $53,923).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,103/year (purchasing power: $89,872).
CoL index: 90.243 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Lawrence grew 37.5% from $27.63/hr (2019) to $38.00/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.01/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 Lawrence 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 Lawrence
Considering the earning potential for part-time accountants, those working 24 hours a week could potentially take home around $48,000 annually based on their hourly rate, compared to their full-time counterparts who could surpass $80,000 per year. The per diem market for accountants in Lawrence fluctuates significantly; professionals billing on a 1099 basis can command rates between $50 and $95 per hour, with Big 4 alumni potentially reaching $80 to $130 during the busy season and specialized forensic accountants sometimes earning $300 to $600 per hour as expert witnesses. Variability in hourly pay often correlates with employer types, whether they are prominent public accounting firms, regional CPA practices, or government positions. Many accountants must weigh the benefits of higher hourly rates against the security that comes from positions offering health insurance and other perks. For those looking to negotiate their rates, understanding market dynamics and networking within Lawrence's local accounting community, as well as staying attuned to industry trends, can provide leverage.
More salary data for Lawrence, 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 Lawrence. 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