Accountant Hourly Pay in Smyrna, DE: $38.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Smyrna, DE runs $38.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,900 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Smyrna's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.7, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $38.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,534 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Smyrna, Delaware, the accountant hourly pay is projected to be $38.89 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $41.28. This means that accountants working part-time, perhaps three days a week, can expect an hourly wage that translates to dependable income even with fewer workdays, particularly beneficial for those balancing personal obligations. For per-diem accountants, the flexibility of billing at hourly rates allows for various work environments, from client engagement rooms in public firms to remote tax season operations. With entry-level accountants typically starting at around $28.55/hour and top earners potentially reaching $60.28/hour, this hourly structure caters to both fresh graduates entering the field and seasoned professionals in more specialized roles.
About the Smyrna Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.55 | $228.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.45 | $259.56 |
| Median (P50) | $38.89 | $311.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.66 | $397.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.28 | $482.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Smyrna
Based on $38.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.89/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Smyrna, DE can expect to earn approximately $80,890 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,667. With a cost-of-living index of 101.70 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Smyrna.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Smyrna
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,555.57 | $6,741 | $80,890 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $933.34 | $4,044 | $48,534 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $622.23 | $2,696 | $32,356 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Smyrna) | $38.89 |
| 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 Smyrna, DE earn a median of $80,900 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.78% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 7.40% below the Delaware state average of $87,365.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.89/hr = $48,534/year (purchasing power: $47,722).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,890/year (purchasing power: $79,537).
CoL index: 101.7 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$32.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Smyrna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Smyrna grew 17.0% from $32.41/hr (2019) to $37.90/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.90/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 Smyrna 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 Smyrna
Considering part-time earnings, a 24-hour work week would yield a yearly income of roughly $30,000 for accountants in Smyrna versus a full-time position that might exceed $80,000 annually, emphasizing the income trade-offs for those seeking flexible hours. Per-diem or contract accountants often see a higher range in their compensation, with rates between $50 and $95/hour for general work, and niche specialists, particularly forensic accountants, commanding as much as $600/hour for litigation services. Hourly rates can fluctuate significantly depending on the employer type, with Big 4 firms typically offering competitive pay, while regional CPA firms, boutique practices, and corporate accounting departments might provide different weights on benefits versus hourly rates. For those negotiating their pay, understanding the balance between compensation and benefits is essential, especially in Smyrna, where some may prefer a lower hourly rate that includes health insurance benefits, while others might drive for higher pay without those additional securities.
More salary data for Smyrna, DE:
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 Smyrna. 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 Smyrna 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