Accountant Hourly Pay in St. Louis, MO: $38.91 (2026)

For accountants working part-time in St. Louis, taking home a consistent paycheck often leads to earnings that can still be substantial, despite not reaching full-time income levels. Specifically, a three-day workweek could yield an annual income of approximately $48,000, which remains competitive, especially in a city with a low cost of living relative to national averages. On the other hand, per diem accountants, particularly those with niche skills or Big 4 experience, often bill rates that can vary widely—from $50 to $95 per hour—depending on their area of expertise. Contract workers and seasoned professionals in litigation contexts, like valuation experts or forensic accountants, can bill significantly more, sometimes between $300 and $600 per hour. Accounting roles across employer types in St. Louis also influence hourly rates; working with top-tier firms such as Deloitte or PwC may present lower hourly wages due to better benefits. Given these differences, accountants negotiating rates should consider their current position relative to the value they bring, how benefits offset lower salaries, and the dynamic nature of hourly pay in this profession.