Accountant Hourly Pay in Lancaster, PA: $37.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Lancaster, PA runs $37.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,096 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Lancaster's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,856 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Accountants in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, can expect a median hourly pay of $37.54, which is notably lower than the national median of $41.28. This hourly rate provides a range of earning potential for various employment arrangements, from full-time positions in corporate finance departments to per-diem work in various settings such as IRS offices or public accounting firms. A part-time accountant working three days a week would make a substantial income, especially when considering the local cost of living, which is below the national average. The hourly pay matrix varies significantly in Lancaster, with entry-level positions starting around $24.78 per hour, while experienced professionals can command up to $57.22 per hour in top-tier roles, reflecting the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for 2026.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.78 | $198.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.76 | $246.10 |
| Median (P50) | $37.54 | $300.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.33 | $370.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.22 | $457.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lancaster
Based on $37.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.54/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lancaster, PA can expect to earn approximately $78,094 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,054. With a cost-of-living index of 98.26 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lancaster.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lancaster
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,501.80 | $6,508 | $78,094 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $901.08 | $3,905 | $46,856 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $600.72 | $2,603 | $31,237 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Lancaster) | $37.54 |
| 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 Lancaster, PA earn a median of $78,096 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.05% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 3.40% above the Pennsylvania state average of $75,529.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.54/hr = $46,856/year (purchasing power: $47,687).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,094/year (purchasing power: $79,479).
CoL index: 98.257 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Lancaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Lancaster grew 17.1% from $31.25/hr (2019) to $36.59/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.52/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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster
In terms of income potential, part-time accountants, assuming a 24-hour work week, can anticipate a lower annual income compared to their full-time colleagues, but still, enjoy a consistent paycheck that meets their needs. Those who opt for per-diem or contract work might bill anywhere from $50 to $95 per hour, depending on their specialization, and highly experienced professionals in forensic accounting can see rates exceeding $300 per hour in litigation contexts. Hourly rates also fluctuate based on the type of employer; for instance, Big 4 firms may offer lower hourly rates compared to local CPA firms while providing extensive health benefits. Accountants must weigh the trade-offs between job security and benefits against the pursuit of higher hourly wages without additional perks. Effectively negotiating salaries in Lancaster requires understanding local market trends and articulating the value one brings, particularly during peak accounting seasons when demands can surge.
More salary data for Lancaster, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for accountants in Lancaster in 2026?
How much do part-time accountants make in Lancaster?
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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 Lancaster. 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