Accountant Hourly Pay in Jefferson City, MO: $31.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Jefferson City, MO runs $31.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,711 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Jefferson City's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.0, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,429 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jefferson City, Missouri, the median hourly pay for accountants is projected to be $31.59 in 2026. This figure is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $41.28, indicating a sizable gap of approximately 23.47%. For part-time accountants working three days a week, or those pursuing per-diem opportunities, this rate plays a vital role in determining their overall income. Most accountants in this area operate within various environments, including client engagement rooms at public accounting firms, corporate finance departments, and IRS field offices. The hourly range for accountants in Jefferson City extends from $23.13 at the lower end (P10) to $52.45 at the high end (P90). This range highlights pathways for entry-level positions as well as the earning potential for seasoned professionals, making the field accessible yet varied in terms of financial outcomes.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.13 | $185.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.67 | $213.35 |
| Median (P50) | $31.59 | $252.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.49 | $315.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.45 | $419.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jefferson City
Based on $31.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.59/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jefferson City, MO can expect to earn approximately $65,715 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,912. With a cost-of-living index of 87.97 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jefferson City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jefferson City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,263.74 | $5,476 | $65,715 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $758.25 | $3,286 | $39,429 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $505.50 | $2,190 | $26,286 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Jefferson City) | $31.59 |
| 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 Jefferson City, MO earn a median of $65,711 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.47% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 12.00% below the Missouri state average of $74,672.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.59/hr = $39,429/year (purchasing power: $44,818).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,715/year (purchasing power: $74,697).
CoL index: 87.975 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Jefferson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Jefferson City grew 31.8% from $23.37/hr (2019) to $30.79/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.42/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 Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City
Accountants seeking part-time roles in Jefferson City could realistically earn about $40,000 annually for working 24 hours a week, a stark contrast to full-time earnings that can exceed $65,000. Additionally, many per-diem accountant roles present lucrative opportunities, with rates often ranging from $50 to $95 per hour, particularly during peak seasons. Those with experience in specialized areas, such as forensic accounting or valuation, can command even higher rates, billing $300 to $600 hourly when acting as expert witnesses. Hourly compensation can vary considerably based on the type of employer, with Big 4 firms typically offering more competitive pay compared to smaller CPA practices or government roles. Nevertheless, some accountants opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance. For professionals negotiating hourly rates in this market, showcasing specialized skills and industry experience can provide a leverage point in discussions, especially as the growth rate in this occupation is projected at 2.61% annually.
More salary data for Jefferson City, 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 Jefferson City. 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