Accountant Hourly Pay in Cape Girardeau, MO: $31.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Cape Girardeau, MO runs $31.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,681 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Cape Girardeau's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.1, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,416 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Accountants in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, earn a median hourly pay of $31.58, notably lower than the national median of $41.28. This means that professionals seeking part-time roles or per-diem opportunities may find their earnings competitive but constrained compared to peers in larger markets. For example, working three days a week at this hourly rate can provide a substantial income, although per diem roles may offer more lucrative variations depending on specialization. The hourly pay rates for accountants in the region range from $21.55 for those in entry-level positions to as high as $50.83 for experienced professionals, as supported by official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. This differential allows for a range of employment settings, including corporate finance, public accounting firms, and even remote work during tax season, accommodating various work-life choices and commitments.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.55 | $172.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.00 | $199.97 |
| Median (P50) | $31.58 | $252.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.55 | $316.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.83 | $406.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cape Girardeau
Based on $31.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.58/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cape Girardeau, MO can expect to earn approximately $65,693 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,900. With a cost-of-living index of 86.08 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cape Girardeau.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cape Girardeau
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,263.33 | $5,474 | $65,693 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $758.00 | $3,285 | $39,416 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $505.33 | $2,190 | $26,277 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Cape Girardeau) | $31.58 |
| 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 Cape Girardeau, MO earn a median of $65,681 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.51% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 12.10% below the Missouri state average of $74,722.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.58/hr = $39,416/year (purchasing power: $45,791).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,693/year (purchasing power: $76,318).
CoL index: 86.078 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Cape Girardeau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Cape Girardeau grew 20.6% from $25.52/hr (2019) to $30.78/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.41/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 Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau
Evaluating the financial landscape for part-time accountants reveals compelling insights. A professional working a typical 24-hour week might expect to earn around $39,000 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart but still reflective of the local market. Contract and per-diem accountants in Cape Girardeau can find varied hourly rates depending on their expertise—those with experience in audit or tax might command between $50-$95 hourly. Meanwhile, alumni from the Big 4 who engage in busy-season fill-in work could earn between $80-$130 per hour, showcasing the premium for high-demand skills. Different employer types further influence hourly wages, with public firms generally offering structured pay, while boutique firms and government positions might come with trade-offs regarding benefits. Negotiating hourly pay can be essential, especially when balancing the appeal of higher rates in exchange for fewer benefits, a consideration for many professionals in Cape Girardeau.
More salary data for Cape Girardeau, MO:
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 Cape Girardeau. 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