Accountant Hourly Pay in Dayton, OH: $38.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Dayton, OH runs $38.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,093 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Dayton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,662 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Dayton, Ohio, the projected median hourly pay for accountants is set at $38.99, which falls below the national hourly median of $41.28. This figure is particularly relevant for part-time accountants, who typically work three days a week and can expect to earn a decent income while maintaining flexibility. The hourly pay in Dayton ranges from $25.23 for entry-level positions to $65.87 for top earners, reflecting the variation in experience and specialization. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlighting the steady demand for accounting professionals across various settings, including public firms, corporate finance offices, IRS field locations, and remote roles, especially during the busy tax season.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.23 | $201.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.69 | $245.53 |
| Median (P50) | $38.99 | $311.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.42 | $411.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.87 | $526.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dayton
Based on $38.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.99/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dayton, OH can expect to earn approximately $81,103 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,790. With a cost-of-living index of 92.69 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dayton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dayton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,559.67 | $6,759 | $81,103 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $935.80 | $4,055 | $48,662 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $623.87 | $2,703 | $32,441 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Dayton) | $38.99 |
| 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 Dayton, OH earn a median of $81,093 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.56% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 4.20% above the Ohio state average of $77,824.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.99/hr = $48,662/year (purchasing power: $52,497).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,103/year (purchasing power: $87,495).
CoL index: 92.694 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+19.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Dayton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Dayton grew 13.6% from $33.46/hr (2019) to $38.00/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.01/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 Dayton 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 Dayton
Part-time accountants working 24 hours a week in Dayton could generate a meaningful income, but they would earn significantly less compared to their full-time counterparts. While full-time accountants typically enjoy comprehensive benefits packages, part-time roles often trade higher hourly pay for job flexibility and fewer responsibilities. Per diem accountants, who usually work on a contract basis, can command hourly rates ranging from $50 to $95, depending on their area of expertise. In high-demand roles, such as those provided by Big 4 firms, hourly rates for seasoned professionals can escalate to between $80 and $130. Conversely, forensic experts navigating litigation contexts may even bill $300 to $600 per hour. Accountants should consider the trade-off between higher hourly rates that lack benefits and lower rates that include health insurance. Practical negotiation in Dayton might focus on balancing job security and pay; aligning salary expectations with local market trends will contribute to a more strategic career decision.
More salary data for Dayton, OH:
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 Dayton. 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