Accountant Hourly Pay in New Orleans, LA: $38.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in New Orleans, LA runs $38.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,974 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against New Orleans's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,983 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In New Orleans, Louisiana, the projected median hourly pay for accountants in 2026 stands at $38.45, which is significantly lower than the national median of $41.28. This hourly rate makes the profession accessible for various working arrangements, including part-time roles that typically span three days a week. For those engaged in per-diem work, sites such as corporate finance departments or IRS offices can also offer flexibility. The hourly pay for accountants in New Orleans ranges from $25.96 for entry-level positions to $59.78 for experienced professionals, reflecting the diverse salary potential across different career stages. These figures are drawn from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS statistics and showcase the financial landscape of the local accounting job market.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.96 | $207.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.85 | $246.84 |
| Median (P50) | $38.45 | $307.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.62 | $388.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.78 | $478.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Orleans
Based on $38.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.45/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Orleans, LA can expect to earn approximately $79,972 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,138. With a cost-of-living index of 92.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in New Orleans.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Orleans
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,537.92 | $6,664 | $79,972 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $922.75 | $3,999 | $47,983 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $615.17 | $2,666 | $31,989 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (New Orleans) | $38.45 |
| 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 New Orleans, LA earn a median of $79,974 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.86% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 9.10% above the Louisiana state average of $73,304.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.45/hr = $47,983/year (purchasing power: $51,819).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,972/year (purchasing power: $86,365).
CoL index: 92.597 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in New Orleans (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in New Orleans grew 19.7% from $31.31/hr (2019) to $37.47/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.45/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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans
Evaluating the part-time accountant earning potential in New Orleans reveals that a professional working 24 hours a week would bring home less than a full-time counterpart yet still enjoy a competitive pay structure. Many per-diem accountants in the region can command rates between $50-$95 per hour depending on their specialties, while those with Big 4 experience can charge significantly more during high-demand seasons, reaching up to $130 per hour. The variation in hourly rates is substantial across employer types, with top firms like Deloitte and PwC generally offering higher compensation than regional CPA firms or smaller practices. However, some accountants may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits such as health insurance. Negotiating effectively is crucial; candidates can enhance their likelihood of securing better pay by clearly articulating their values and understanding market rates specific to per diem accountant pay in New Orleans.
More salary data for New Orleans, LA:
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 New Orleans. 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