Accountant Hourly Pay in Santa Rosa, CA: $46.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Santa Rosa, CA runs $46.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $97,161 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Santa Rosa's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.8, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $43.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,304 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Accountants in Santa Rosa, California, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $46.72, significantly higher than the national average of $41.28. This above-average pay offers advantages for part-time accountants, who might be working three days a week and earning a solid wage while managing a more flexible schedule. In various professional settings such as corporate finance offices, IRS cubicles, and remote work setups during tax season, accountants can find themselves with diverse opportunities. The hourly pay typically ranges from $30.68 for entry-level positions to as high as $74.88 for advanced roles, reflecting the marketplace's demand for skilled professionals in the region. This information is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, projecting figures for 2026.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.68 | $245.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.69 | $301.51 |
| Median (P50) | $46.72 | $373.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.44 | $491.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.88 | $599.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Rosa
Based on $46.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.72/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Rosa, CA can expect to earn approximately $97,174 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,062. With a cost-of-living index of 107.78 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Rosa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Rosa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,868.73 | $8,098 | $97,174 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,121.24 | $4,859 | $58,304 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $747.49 | $3,239 | $38,870 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Santa Rosa) | $46.72 |
| 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 Santa Rosa, CA earn a median of $97,161 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.16% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 12.80% above the California state average of $86,136.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.72/hr = $58,304/year (purchasing power: $54,094).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $97,174/year (purchasing power: $90,156).
CoL index: 107.784 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$36.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Santa Rosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Santa Rosa grew 24.7% from $36.50/hr (2019) to $45.53/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.94/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 Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa
For part-time accountants in Santa Rosa working 24 hours a week, annual income will differ considerably from those in full-time positions. When considering per-diem work, many accountants can charge rates between $50 to $95 per hour, with former Big 4 employees attaining billing rates of $80 to $130 during busy seasons. Forensic and valuation specialists can demand even higher fees, typically charging $300 to $600 per hour, making this a lucrative sector within accounting. Various employer types, including big public accounting firms like Deloitte and PwC, regional CPA firms, and corporate accounting departments, can influence hourly compensation. While some accountants opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, others may pursue higher wages without those perks. Negotiating within Santa Rosa's market requires understanding these trade-offs, whether working as an employee or independent contractor, ensuring that every accountant can maximize their earnings based on their unique circumstances.
More salary data for Santa Rosa, 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 Santa Rosa. 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