Accountant Hourly Pay in Durham, NC: $41.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Durham, NC runs $41.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,311 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Durham's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.6, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,388 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Durham, NC, the projected median hourly rate for accountants is $41.98, which places it slightly above the national median of $41.28. This competitive rate means that part-time accountants working three days a week can expect to earn a substantial income while enjoying increased flexibility. The hourly pay scale ranges significantly from entry-level positions starting at $29.91 to seasoned professionals commanding as much as $75.43 per hour. These figures, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates based on 2025 data and projected to 2026, reflect the diverse environments where accountants operate—ranging from public firm client engagement rooms to remote setups during the busy tax season.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.91 | $239.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.88 | $279.02 |
| Median (P50) | $41.98 | $335.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.09 | $456.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75.43 | $603.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Durham
Based on $41.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.98/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Durham, NC can expect to earn approximately $87,314 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,373. With a cost-of-living index of 97.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Durham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Durham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,679.11 | $7,276 | $87,314 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,007.47 | $4,366 | $52,388 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $671.64 | $2,910 | $34,925 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Durham) | $41.98 |
| 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 Durham, NC earn a median of $87,311 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.69% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 8.30% above the North Carolina state average of $80,619.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.98/hr = $52,388/year (purchasing power: $53,692).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,314/year (purchasing power: $89,486).
CoL index: 97.572 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Durham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Durham grew 15.6% from $35.40/hr (2019) to $40.91/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.07/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 Durham 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 Durham
Considering the earning potential for part-time accountants in Durham, those working a typical 24-hour week might take home around $52,000 annually, compared to full-time colleagues earning significantly more. Per diem and contract accountants in the area report billing rates that vary widely; specialists frequently charge between $50-$95 per hour, while those with Big 4 experience can command $80-$130 per hour during peak periods. Furthermore, forensic and valuation experts involved in litigation settings may see their rates soar to $300-$600 per hour. The type of firm also plays a critical role in determining pay scales, with Big 4 firms typically offering lower hourly rates complemented by health benefits, while independent consultants might demand higher rates but forego those advantages. Understanding these dynamics can help accountants effectively negotiate their compensation while considering lifestyle preferences, balancing stability against the allure of higher pay in varying employment scenarios.
More salary data for Durham, NC:
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 Durham. 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