Accountant Hourly Pay in New Castle, PA: $34.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in New Castle, PA runs $34.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,268 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against New Castle's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,360 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In New Castle, Pennsylvania, the projected median hourly pay for accountants stands at $34.74, which is significantly lower than the national median of $41.28. This wage reflects what accountants can expect in various settings such as corporate finance departments, public accounting firms, and remote tax preparation environments. Entry-level positions see an hourly rate starting at $24.45, while experienced accountants can earn up to $53.85. It's crucial to recognize that these figures, especially in a market like New Castle, are derived from annual salary data and offer a glimpse into the lower-cost living conditions of the region, which may influence hourly pay rates for accountants compared to national averages.
About the New Castle Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.45 | $195.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.58 | $236.66 |
| Median (P50) | $34.74 | $277.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.59 | $348.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.85 | $430.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Castle
Based on $34.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.74/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Castle, PA can expect to earn approximately $72,267 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,692. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in New Castle.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Castle
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,389.75 | $6,022 | $72,267 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $833.85 | $3,613 | $43,360 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $555.90 | $2,409 | $28,907 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (New Castle) | $34.74 |
| 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 New Castle, PA earn a median of $72,268 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.83% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 4.30% below the Pennsylvania state average of $75,515.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.74/hr = $43,360/year (purchasing power: $44,518).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,267/year (purchasing power: $74,196).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in New Castle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in New Castle grew 17.0% from $28.95/hr (2019) to $33.86/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.65/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 New Castle 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 New Castle
Considering the dynamics of part-time work, an accountant in New Castle working three days a week for 24 hours can anticipate a significantly different annual take-home compared to full-time counterparts. Often, per-diem accountants and those engaged in contract work could command a higher hourly rate, ranging between $50 and $95, particularly if specializing in areas like forensic accounting or tax advisory services. Those who have worked in national firms, such as the Big 4, might find that busy-season opportunities allow them to earn between $80 to $130 per hour during peak periods. This variability and the benefits trade-off facing many accountants highlight a broader market where firm size and specialization determine hourly pay rates. For example, accountants within major public firms often earn less in hourly terms than their corporate counterparts, but they may benefit from employer-provided health insurance. Negotiating for hourly pay can hinge on a candidate’s experience and the firm’s financial structure, urging accountants in New Castle to leverage their specific skills and local market demands effectively.
More salary data for New Castle, PA:
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 New Castle. 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 New Castle 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