Accountant Hourly Pay in Ruston, LA: $33.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Ruston, LA runs $33.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,506 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Ruston's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,310 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ruston, Louisiana, the projected median hourly pay for accountants in 2026 is $33.90, which is significantly lower than the national median hourly rate of $41.28. This disparity can impact both full-time and part-time accountants, particularly those working only three days a week in varied settings such as public firm client engagement rooms or corporate finance offices. For those who prefer contract work, the hourly range is broad, starting at $24.15 for entry-level positions and reaching as high as $52.54 for more seasoned professionals. These estimated hourly rates reflect the market dynamics in Ruston and are derived from the annual salary data, offering a relevant insight into how the local economy influences compensation in the accounting sector.
About the Ruston Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.15 | $193.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.76 | $222.05 |
| Median (P50) | $33.90 | $271.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.39 | $347.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.54 | $420.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ruston
Based on $33.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.90/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ruston, LA can expect to earn approximately $70,517 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,683. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ruston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ruston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,356.09 | $5,876 | $70,517 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $813.66 | $3,526 | $42,310 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $542.44 | $2,351 | $28,207 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Ruston) | $33.90 |
| 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 Ruston, LA earn a median of $70,506 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.89% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $73,291.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.90/hr = $42,310/year (purchasing power: $46,855).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,517/year (purchasing power: $78,092).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Ruston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Ruston grew 17.0% from $28.25/hr (2019) to $33.04/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.79/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 Ruston 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 Ruston
Evaluating the earning potential for part-time accountants reveals that those working a 24-hour week could take home a substantially reduced income compared to full-time counterparts. For instance, while some per diem accountants charge between $50 and $95 per hour, Big 4 alumni focusing on seasonal or temporary work command rates of $80 to $130 per hour, presenting an attractive option for more flexible schedules. In Ruston, hourly rates can fluctuate dramatically based on the type of employer, with boutique firms often offering less financial incentive compared to large public firms. Many accountants face a choice: accept a lower hourly rate in exchange for health benefits or aim for higher pay without those perks. Those engaged in negotiations should emphasize their expertise and various work experiences, as such credentials can justify discussions around higher hourly pay rates. For local accountants navigating the workforce, understanding the ebb and flow of compensation can be a deciding factor in career paths and financial stability in LA.
More salary data for Ruston, LA:
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 Ruston. 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 Ruston 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