Accountant Hourly Pay in Bismarck, ND: $37.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Bismarck, ND runs $37.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,917 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Bismarck's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.0, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,356 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bismarck, ND, accountants earn a median hourly rate of $37.95, which is notably lower than the national median of $41.28. This figure highlights how the local market influences pay, especially for part-time roles, which often appeal to those seeking less conventional working arrangements. A typical part-time schedule, for example, might involve working three days a week, allowing accountants to balance work and personal commitments while earning a competitive wage. For entry-level positions, the hourly range begins at $24.46, while top earners can command up to $54.09 per hour. Official projections based on 2025 BLS data suggest that these figures reflect the nuanced job conditions within various settings such as corporate finance departments, public accounting firms, and remote tax engagement scenarios.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.46 | $195.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.63 | $245.03 |
| Median (P50) | $37.95 | $303.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.23 | $377.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.09 | $432.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bismarck
Based on $37.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.95/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bismarck, ND can expect to earn approximately $78,926 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,534. With a cost-of-living index of 91.02 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bismarck.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bismarck
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,517.81 | $6,577 | $78,926 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $910.68 | $3,946 | $47,356 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $607.12 | $2,631 | $31,570 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Bismarck) | $37.95 |
| 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 Bismarck, ND earn a median of $78,917 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.09% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 0.10% below the North Dakota state average of $78,996.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.95/hr = $47,356/year (purchasing power: $52,025).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,926/year (purchasing power: $86,709).
CoL index: 91.024 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Bismarck grew 16.1% from $31.86/hr (2019) to $36.98/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.94/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 Bismarck 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 Bismarck
Part-time accountants working in Bismarck can expect to bring home a substantial amount annually, although their overall earnings may lag behind full-time counterparts. For instance, working 24 hours a week could lead to an annual income far below that of someone in a full-time position, which typically involves an investment of 40 hours or more weekly. On the other hand, per-diem accountants—especially those who operate on a 1099 basis—have the opportunity to command significantly higher hourly rates, particularly for specialized roles. For example, Big 4 alumni engaged in busy-season work might see compensation of $80 to $130 per hour, while forensic experts can bill between $300 and $600 per hour when serving as witnesses. The variance in hourly rates reflects employer differences, where Big 4 firms and regional CPA groups often offer less than corporate accounting departments or private practices but provide benefits that can influence overall compensation. Accountants looking to negotiate their pay should consider their specialty and the benefits on offer, as many choose lower pay for stability and health insurance in a fluctuating job market.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
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 Bismarck. 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