Accountant Hourly Pay in Bellevue, WA: $49.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Bellevue, WA runs $49.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,963 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Bellevue's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $46.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,775 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bellevue, Washington, accountants can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $49.50, significantly surpassing the national median of $41.28 for similar roles across the country. This hourly compensation reflects the city’s higher cost of living, presenting a competitive opportunity for both full-time and part-time positions. For accountants working three days a week, this translates into an annual take-home pay that aligns favorably with full-time roles, especially considering the demands of busy seasons at public firms or remote tax season engagements. The hourly rate ranges from $31.29 at the entry level to $76.73 for top earners, illustrating the breadth of opportunities available depending on experience and specialization within the profession, including positions within corporate offices, forensic engagement settings, or even at IRS field offices.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.29 | $250.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.13 | $305.04 |
| Median (P50) | $49.50 | $395.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.36 | $506.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76.73 | $613.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellevue
Based on $49.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.50/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellevue, WA can expect to earn approximately $102,958 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,399. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bellevue.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellevue
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,979.96 | $8,580 | $102,958 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,187.98 | $5,148 | $61,775 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $791.99 | $3,432 | $41,183 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Bellevue) | $49.50 |
| 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 Bellevue, WA earn a median of $102,963 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.91% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 12.00% above the Washington state average of $91,931.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.50/hr = $61,775/year (purchasing power: $57,518).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,958/year (purchasing power: $95,864).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$41.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Bellevue grew 17.0% from $41.25/hr (2019) to $48.24/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.79/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 Bellevue 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 Bellevue
In terms of earning potential, part-time accountants working a 24-hour week can accrue significant income, estimated to net around $61,440 annually; a stark contrast to full-timers, who are often required to put in longer hours, especially during tax season. For those in per-diem roles, billing rates may vary widely, with typical pay ranging from $50 to $95 per hour based on specialization, while experienced professionals from Big 4 firms can command upwards of $130 during peak periods. The type of employer plays a considerable role in shaping hourly rates; for instance, Big 4 firms offer competitive compensation but often at the expense of lengthy work hours, while smaller firms might provide lower pay but greater work-life balance. Negotiating effectively is key in Bellevue’s competitive job market; understanding one's worth and leveraging industry connections can ensure fair compensation, especially as accountants weigh the benefits of health insurance against higher hourly pay that might come with less job security.
More salary data for Bellevue, WA:
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 Bellevue. 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 Bellevue 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