Accountant Hourly Pay in Lafayette, IN: $38.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Lafayette, IN runs $38.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,769 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,868 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Indiana, the projected median hourly pay for accountants in 2026 is $38.36, which is slightly below the national median of $41.28. This hourly rate can offer flexibility for professionals working part-time, such as those seeking to balance personal commitments or those working in various capacities like temporary positions, remote tax preparation, or per diem roles. For instance, a part-time accountant working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) can expect to earn around $25,000 annually, while their full-time counterparts might consistently reach higher annual figures. Entry-level accountants can earn $24.93 per hour, while those in senior positions or specialized roles can command rates up to $60.92, showcasing a substantial range of earning potential based on experience and specialization in Lafayette. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.93 | $199.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.37 | $242.98 |
| Median (P50) | $38.36 | $306.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.72 | $405.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.92 | $487.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lafayette
Based on $38.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.36/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lafayette, IN can expect to earn approximately $79,780 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,027. With a cost-of-living index of 93.43 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,534.22 | $6,648 | $79,780 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $920.53 | $3,989 | $47,868 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $613.69 | $2,659 | $31,912 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Lafayette) | $38.36 |
| 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 Lafayette, IN earn a median of $79,769 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.10% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 0.40% above the Indiana state average of $79,451.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.36/hr = $47,868/year (purchasing power: $51,234).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,780/year (purchasing power: $85,390).
CoL index: 93.43 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Lafayette grew 18.6% from $31.52/hr (2019) to $37.38/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.36/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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette
When considering earning potential, part-time accountants in Lafayette can see significant variances compared to full-time professionals. Working 24 hours each week yields a part-time income well below the potential of their full-time peers, who in busy seasons may log 60-80 hours per week in public accounting settings. Per diem and contract accountants have greater earning flexibility. They often bill rates ranging from $50 to $95 per hour for various assignments, with Big 4 alumni capitalizing on busy seasons by temporarily stepping into roles that can pay $80 to $130 per hour. Specialized fields, such as forensic accounting, can attract considerably higher per diem rates due to the expert knowledge required, sometimes commanding $300 to $600 per hour for litigation support. Hourly rates can also vary widely depending on the employer, whether it be a prestigious Big 4 firm, a mid-tier CPA practice, or a corporate department, with trade-offs between salary levels and benefits a crucial consideration. Accountants in Lafayette negotiating hourly pay should focus on the total compensation package, including benefits, when weighing opportunities and may find success by demonstrating their qualifications and industry experience to justify higher rates.
More salary data for Lafayette, IN:
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 Lafayette. 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