Accountant Hourly Pay in Columbia, MO: $36.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Columbia, MO runs $36.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,977 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Columbia's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.4, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,987 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Columbia, Missouri, accountants earn a median hourly rate of $36.05, which is notably lower than the national median of $41.28. This hourly wage puts local professionals within a range of $24.08 at the entry-level, rising to $53.12 for seasoned experts. For those working part-time, especially those looking at a three-day workweek, this translates to approximately $28,320 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts, while per-diem professionals can engage in client work at varying rates. Depending on their specialty and employer, accountants may find themselves operating in diverse settings such as public firms, corporate finance departments, or during the busy tax season from their homes. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data serves as a reliable reference for these projections, giving both new and experienced accountants a sense of the market in Columbia.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.08 | $192.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.14 | $233.13 |
| Median (P50) | $36.05 | $288.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.33 | $330.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.12 | $424.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbia
Based on $36.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.05/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbia, MO can expect to earn approximately $74,978 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,256. With a cost-of-living index of 89.44 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,441.88 | $6,248 | $74,978 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $865.13 | $3,749 | $44,987 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $576.75 | $2,499 | $29,991 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Columbia) | $36.05 |
| 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 Columbia, MO earn a median of $74,977 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.68% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 0.40% above the Missouri state average of $74,678.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.05/hr = $44,987/year (purchasing power: $50,299).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,978/year (purchasing power: $83,832).
CoL index: 89.438 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Columbia grew 32.7% from $26.47/hr (2019) to $35.13/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.99/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 Columbia 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 Columbia
Considering part-time work, an accountant in Columbia working 24 hours a week might generate an annual income considerably less than their full-time peers, emphasizing the financial trade-offs associated with reduced working hours. Per-diem accountants often find flexible employment opportunities, billing clients at rates ranging from $50 to $95 per hour, depending on specialization. Big 4 alumni may earn between $80 and $130 per hour during peak seasons, while forensic accountants serving as expert witnesses may command fees ranging from $300 to $600 per hour in litigation contexts. Hourly rates can differ widely based on the type of employer, such as Big 4 firms, regional CPA practices, or government agencies. Although some may accept lower hourly wages to secure benefits and job security, others may prefer higher rates without health insurance, illustrating a typical decision-making process in accounting careers. Negotiation tips for accountants in Columbia include emphasizing skills and experience while also being open to flexible arrangements that suit both personal and professional lifestyles.
More salary data for Columbia, 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 Columbia. 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