Accountant Hourly Pay in Kernersville, NC: $38.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Kernersville, NC runs $38.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,872 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Kernersville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,919 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kernersville, NC, the accountant hourly pay is set at a median rate of $38.40, which falls below the national median of $41.28. This figure reflects a competitive environment, especially for part-time workers engaging three days a week, who can expect to earn approximately $27,072 annually if they work a total of 24 hours each week. The hourly pay range in Kernersville spans from $26.42 for entry-level positions to $59.52 for top-tier earners. The data indicating these hourly rates stems from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, reflecting the local job market's capacity to support accountants in various settings, such as corporate finance departments, public firm client engagement rooms, and remote tax preparation during peak seasons.
About the Kernersville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.42 | $211.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.88 | $247.00 |
| Median (P50) | $38.40 | $307.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.15 | $393.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.52 | $476.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kernersville
Based on $38.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.40/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kernersville, NC can expect to earn approximately $79,865 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,076. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kernersville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kernersville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,535.87 | $6,655 | $79,865 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $921.52 | $3,993 | $47,919 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $614.35 | $2,662 | $31,946 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Kernersville) | $38.40 |
| 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 Kernersville, NC earn a median of $79,872 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.98% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 0.90% below the North Carolina state average of $80,597.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.40/hr = $47,919/year (purchasing power: $51,196).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,865/year (purchasing power: $85,326).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Kernersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Kernersville grew 17.0% from $32.00/hr (2019) to $37.42/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.40/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 Kernersville 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 Kernersville
In terms of overall earning potential, accountants in Kernersville who opt for part-time roles may find themselves at a financial crossroads. While full-time accountants benefit from a more stable income, part-time professionals working 24 hours per week might take home about $27,072 each year, a stark contrast to full-time earnings. Conversely, per-diem or contract accountants can command significantly higher rates, billing anywhere from $50 to $95 an hour, particularly those with specialized skills or Big 4 experience, who may reach up to $130 an hour during busy seasons. Employer types play a substantial role in these variances; large firms like Deloitte tend to offer lower base hourly rates compared to niche forensic practices, which command premium payments for their expertise. Negotiating an hourly rate also requires a strategic understanding of the trade-offs, including benefits versus cash compensation, which can differ markedly among firms and influence an accountant's decision to work for smaller practices or larger corporations in Kernersville.
More salary data for Kernersville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for accountants in Kernersville in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Kernersville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kernersville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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