Accountant Hourly Pay in Portland, ME: $39.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Portland, ME runs $39.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,873 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.9, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $38.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,123 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Portland, Maine, the accountant hourly rate is projected to be $39.36 for 2026, which falls slightly below the national median of $41.28 per hour. For those working part-time, such as on a three-day workweek, this means a take-home pay of approximately $31,488 annually, assuming a 24-hour workweek. Per-diem accountants often find themselves in various professional settings, from bustling corporate finance department offices to remote work environments during tax season. The projected hourly range for accountants in this city stretches from $29.81 for entry-level positions to $63.38 for top earners, highlighting the breadth of opportunities available in this profession. This information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and reflects current market trends in Portland's accounting sector.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.81 | $238.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.84 | $262.68 |
| Median (P50) | $39.36 | $314.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.95 | $399.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.38 | $507.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portland
Based on $39.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.36/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portland, ME can expect to earn approximately $81,871 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,233. With a cost-of-living index of 101.86 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,574.45 | $6,823 | $81,871 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $944.67 | $4,094 | $49,123 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $629.78 | $2,729 | $32,749 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Portland) | $39.36 |
| 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 Portland, ME earn a median of $81,873 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.65% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 4.30% below the Maine state average of $85,551.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.36/hr = $49,123/year (purchasing power: $48,227).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,871/year (purchasing power: $80,378).
CoL index: 101.858 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+19.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Portland grew 13.3% from $33.86/hr (2019) to $38.36/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.39/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 Portland 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 Portland
For part-time professionals in the area, the financial dynamics can differ substantially from full-time accountants. Those working 24 hours a week may forego benefits but have the flexibility that many value in their work-life balance. In contrast, per diem opportunities can offer more lucrative hourly pay, with contract accountants billing between $50 and $95 an hour depending on their specialization. Alumni from Big 4 firms typically command $80 to $130 for busy-season work, while forensic or valuation experts may charge between $300 and $600 as expert witnesses. Hourly rates can significantly vary among employer types in Portland; public accounting firms often provide stable roles while boutique firms might offer niche opportunities with higher rates. However, accountants should carefully weigh the benefits of health insurance and retirement contributions against higher hourly pay without such perks. Successfully negotiating these terms can make a considerable difference in long-term earnings, especially in a city where cost-of-living considerations come into play.
More salary data for Portland, ME:
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 Portland. 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