Accountant Hourly Pay in Grand Rapids, MI: $37.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Grand Rapids, MI runs $37.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,261 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Grand Rapids's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,959 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Accounting professionals in Grand Rapids, Michigan, can expect a median hourly pay of $37.63 in 2026, which falls short of the national hourly median of $41.28. This discrepancy may influence the choices of part-time accountants who work three days a week, allowing them to earn a considerable income while enjoying a flexible schedule. With an hourly range spanning from $25.59 for entry-level positions to $64.39 for the most experienced accountants, this pay structure highlights the potential financial rewards in both corporate settings and public accounting firms. Accountants often find themselves in diverse environments, including client engagement rooms, corporate finance offices, IRS cubicles, or even working remotely during tax season, making the $37.63 hourly rate significant for part-time arrangements and per-diem opportunities.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.59 | $204.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.18 | $249.47 |
| Median (P50) | $37.63 | $301.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.09 | $392.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.39 | $515.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Rapids
Based on $37.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.63/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Rapids, MI can expect to earn approximately $78,264 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,153. With a cost-of-living index of 95.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Rapids.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Rapids
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,505.08 | $6,522 | $78,264 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $903.05 | $3,913 | $46,959 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $602.03 | $2,609 | $31,306 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Grand Rapids) | $37.63 |
| 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 Grand Rapids, MI earn a median of $78,261 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.85% lower than the national median of $85,864.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.63/hr = $46,959/year (purchasing power: $49,148).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,264/year (purchasing power: $81,913).
CoL index: 95.546 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Grand Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Grand Rapids grew 24.2% from $29.53/hr (2019) to $36.67/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.61/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 Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids
Examining the part-time earning potential illustrates that an accountant billing 24 hours a week might take home a steady income, significantly less than a full-time commitment would generate. While some choose per-diem or contract roles, their rates can vary widely—from $50 to $95 per hour for general accounting work. Busy-season staffing from Big 4 firms often sees alumni taking positions at $80-$130 per hour, while specialists such as forensic accountants can command $300-$600 per hour in litigation circumstances. Hourly rates depend heavily on the type of employer as well, with prestigious Big 4 firms like Deloitte and EY offering competitive compensation packages, albeit with intense work demands during peak seasons. In contrast, smaller CPA firms or solo practices may pay lower rates but provide health benefits—a trade-off worth considering. As accountants in Grand Rapids negotiate their contracts, understanding the local pay landscape and specific employer demands will be key to securing favorable compensation.
More salary data for Grand Rapids, MI:
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 Grand Rapids. 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