Accountant Hourly Pay in Pittsburgh, PA: $37.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Pittsburgh, PA runs $37.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,948 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Pittsburgh's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.7, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,368 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Accountants in Pittsburgh, PA, can expect a median hourly pay of $37.96 based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median of $41.28, reflecting the city's cost of living and the competitive landscape of the accounting field. For part-time accountants working three days a week, this translates into a stable income while allowing flexibility in their schedules. Additionally, per-diem accountants operating in various settings—including public firms, corporate finance offices, and tax season remote work environments—start from $25.18 at the entry level, with top earners reaching up to $61.61. This hourly rate structure provides a clear path for career development, allowing professionals to gauge their progress through varying levels of experience and specialty.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.18 | $201.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.87 | $238.96 |
| Median (P50) | $37.96 | $303.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.23 | $385.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.61 | $492.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pittsburgh
Based on $37.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.96/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pittsburgh, PA can expect to earn approximately $78,947 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,547. With a cost-of-living index of 94.67 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pittsburgh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pittsburgh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,518.22 | $6,579 | $78,947 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $910.93 | $3,947 | $47,368 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $607.29 | $2,632 | $31,579 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Pittsburgh) | $37.96 |
| 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 Pittsburgh, PA earn a median of $78,948 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.05% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 4.50% above the Pennsylvania state average of $75,548.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.96/hr = $47,368/year (purchasing power: $50,035).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,947/year (purchasing power: $83,391).
CoL index: 94.671 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Pittsburgh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Pittsburgh grew 15.7% from $31.96/hr (2019) to $36.99/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.95/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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh
The earning potential for part-time accountants in Pittsburgh can lead to annual incomes that are substantial, though lower than full-time counterparts. For example, a 3-day workweek, totaling 24 hours, can yield approximately $47,686 annually, which contrasts with a full-time income where accountants might exceed $78,948. Per-diem accountants, especially those with specialized skills, can bill significantly higher—ranging from $50 to $95 per hour for standard contracts, and more for busy-season work, such as $80 to $130 per hour at Big 4 firms. Notably, forensic accountants serving as expert witnesses can command premium rates between $300 and $600 per hour. Hourly rates vary depending on employer type; while public accounting firms offer benefits that may compensate for lower hourly wages, corporate positions and boutique firms may attract experienced professionals seeking higher pay without benefits. When negotiating, accountants should consider the balance between hourly rates and the stability that comes with benefits from specific firms in Pittsburgh.
More salary data for Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh. 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