Accountant Hourly Pay in Harlingen, TX: $33.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Harlingen, TX runs $33.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,388 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Harlingen's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,631 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, accountants in Harlingen, TX, earn a median hourly rate of $33.36, which falls significantly below the national average of $41.28. This disparity in hourly pay can affect part-time accountants who typically work three days a week, as well as those engaged in per-diem assignments. Many accountants in this area operate within traditional settings such as public firms, corporate finance departments, and remote tax season environments. Given the projected hourly range, new accountants might start at approximately $22.07, while experienced professionals can earn up to $51.71 per hour. These figures offer essential insights into the labor market, highlighting the diverse opportunities available across different organizational types, from local firms to larger corporate entities.
About the Harlingen Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.07 | $176.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.54 | $220.32 |
| Median (P50) | $33.36 | $266.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.70 | $341.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.71 | $413.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Harlingen
Based on $33.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.36/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Harlingen, TX can expect to earn approximately $69,386 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,030. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Harlingen.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Harlingen
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,334.34 | $5,782 | $69,386 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $800.60 | $3,469 | $41,631 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $533.74 | $2,313 | $27,754 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Harlingen) | $33.36 |
| 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 Harlingen, TX earn a median of $69,388 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.19% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 10.10% below the Texas state average of $77,183.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.36/hr = $41,631/year (purchasing power: $43,366).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,386/year (purchasing power: $72,277).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Harlingen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Harlingen grew 17.0% from $27.80/hr (2019) to $32.51/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.23/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 Harlingen 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 Harlingen
Examining the earning potential for part-time accountants gives further context to their financial outlook. For those working 24 hours a week, the annual income can be meaningful but lower than full-time counterparts. Per-diem accountants, often billing between $50 and $95 per hour based on specialization, can see lucrative returns in specific niches, especially during busy periods or when engaging in forensic analysis. Notably, professionals hailing from Big 4 firms can command even higher rates, particularly in high-demand seasons. In Harlingen, the type of employer influences hourly compensation; larger firms typically offer better hourly rates than smaller, solo practices, but may provide less control over workload and hours. Accountants should weigh the trade-offs between lower hourly pay for positions with benefits versus higher pay without those perks, as many roles in this field come with unique challenges and rewards. Negotiating effectively can position workers for better pay, emphasizing the need for clarity on what they bring to the table and understanding local market benchmarks.
More salary data for Harlingen, TX:
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 Harlingen. 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 Harlingen 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