Accountant Hourly Pay in Scranton, PA: $34.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Scranton, PA runs $34.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,320 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Scranton's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,386 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Scranton, Pennsylvania, the accountant hourly pay stands at a median of $34.76, which is noticeably lower than the national hourly median of $41.28. This discrepancy can affect both full-time and part-time accountants. For individuals working part-time, such as those operating on a three-day work week, the earnings could translate into a more limited annual salary while still allowing for flexibility in personal schedules. Per-diem accountants, who may work in various settings like corporate finance offices or during tax season remotely, benefit from the established hourly range of $22.87 to $54.32, which reflects their experience and specific area of expertise. This official BLS data reveals several entry points for accountants in Scranton, making it clear that the pay structure caters to a wide array of skill levels and assignments within the profession.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.87 | $182.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.88 | $207.03 |
| Median (P50) | $34.76 | $278.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.64 | $349.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.32 | $434.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Scranton
Based on $34.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.76/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Scranton, PA can expect to earn approximately $72,310 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,717. With a cost-of-living index of 93.56 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Scranton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Scranton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,390.57 | $6,026 | $72,310 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $834.34 | $3,615 | $43,386 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $556.23 | $2,410 | $28,924 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Scranton) | $34.76 |
| 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 Scranton, PA earn a median of $72,320 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.77% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 4.30% below the Pennsylvania state average of $75,569.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.76/hr = $43,386/year (purchasing power: $46,374).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,310/year (purchasing power: $77,290).
CoL index: 93.556 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+16.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Scranton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Scranton grew 10.6% from $30.64/hr (2019) to $33.88/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.67/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 Scranton 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 Scranton
Many accountants in Scranton consider opportunities for part-time work or per-diem engagements to balance their careers around other commitments. A part-time accountant working about 24 hours a week would earn approximately $44,435 annually, compared to a full-time equivalent that would obviously yield much more. In contract work, per diem accountant pay in Scranton tends to range significantly, with rates between $50 to $95 per hour based on specialization. Notably, those with backgrounds in Big 4 firms may command billing rates of $80 to $130 during peak busy seasons. Specialties such as forensic accounting can elevate billing to $300-$600 per hour in litigation scenarios. Hourly compensation can vary widely depending on the type of employer; Big 4 firms will pay different rates than regional CPA firms or corporate accounting departments. Many in Scranton are willing to accept lower hourly wages for the security of benefits, weighing their options based on personal and financial priorities. When considering negotiations, accountants should leverage their unique skills within specialized niches to maximize potential earnings while evaluating the balance between hourly rates and benefits offered.
More salary data for Scranton, 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 Scranton. 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