Accountant Hourly Pay in Fresno, CA: $38.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Fresno, CA runs $38.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,744 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Fresno's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.2, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $38.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,444 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fresno, the projected hourly pay for accountants stands at $38.82, offering a competitive wage compared to the national median of $41.28. This figure is particularly relevant for part-time accountants, who may work three days a week, as well as per-diem professionals who often engage in project-based work across various settings. Whether in corporate finance departments, IRS offices, or remote tax setups, the hourly rate can vary significantly based on experience and specialization. Entry-level accountants can expect to earn about $27.97 per hour, while top earners in the field may command as much as $63.44, creating a broad spectrum of potential earnings within this profession right here in Fresno. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting the opportunities available for those considering accounting careers in CA.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.97 | $223.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.68 | $261.45 |
| Median (P50) | $38.82 | $310.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.07 | $400.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.44 | $507.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fresno
Based on $38.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.82/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fresno, CA can expect to earn approximately $80,740 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,581. With a cost-of-living index of 102.16 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fresno.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fresno
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,552.69 | $6,728 | $80,740 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $931.62 | $4,037 | $48,444 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $621.08 | $2,691 | $32,296 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Fresno) | $38.82 |
| 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 Fresno, CA earn a median of $80,744 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.96% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 6.20% below the California state average of $86,081.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.82/hr = $48,444/year (purchasing power: $47,421).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,740/year (purchasing power: $79,035).
CoL index: 102.158 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Fresno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Fresno grew 20.7% from $31.34/hr (2019) to $37.83/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.83/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 Fresno 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 Fresno
Considering the part-time earning potential, a Fresno accountant working 24 hours a week can expect to take home about $48,000 annually, a stark contrast to full-time workers who enjoy higher total compensation. For per-diem accountants, income varies greatly depending on specialty, with some billing between $50 and $95 per hour as 1099 contractors. Busy-season professionals from Big 4 firms might earn significantly more, ranging from $80 to $130 per hour. Specialty roles in forensic accounting can reach impressive fees, with expert witnesses charging between $300 and $600 per hour in litigation. Hourly rates also depend on employer types—those at major public accounting firms earn potentially less but may benefit from health insurance, while independent or boutique firms offer higher rates but fewer benefits. Negotiating hourly pay in Fresno can be strategic; accounting professionals are encouraged to consider the trade-offs between salary and benefits to maximize their career outcomes.
More salary data for Fresno, CA:
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 Fresno. 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