Accountant Hourly Pay in Lansing, MI: $39.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Lansing, MI runs $39.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,277 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Lansing's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.0, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,764 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lansing, Michigan, the accountant hourly pay stands at a median rate of $39.07, slightly trailing the national median of $41.28. This figure not only reflects the overall demand for accountants in the area but also shapes the landscape for part-time and per-diem opportunities, including roles within client engagement rooms of public firms, corporate finance offices, and remote tax season setups. For those in entry-level positions, earnings can start around the $26.99 mark, while top earners accumulate up to $56.79. Such an hourly rate is essential for both full-time accountants and those seeking flexibility, as it allows part-time workers to craft a suitable work-life balance, vital for maintaining professional standards in a competitive field.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.99 | $215.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.00 | $256.03 |
| Median (P50) | $39.07 | $312.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.57 | $380.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.79 | $454.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lansing
Based on $39.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.07/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lansing, MI can expect to earn approximately $81,274 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,889. With a cost-of-living index of 94.99 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lansing.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lansing
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,562.96 | $6,773 | $81,274 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $937.77 | $4,064 | $48,764 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $625.18 | $2,709 | $32,509 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Lansing) | $39.07 |
| 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 Lansing, MI earn a median of $81,277 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.34% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 3.90% above the Michigan state average of $78,227.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.07/hr = $48,764/year (purchasing power: $51,336).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,274/year (purchasing power: $85,559).
CoL index: 94.991 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Lansing (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Lansing grew 16.9% from $32.57/hr (2019) to $38.08/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.09/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 Lansing 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 Lansing
When examining the part-time earning potential for accountants in Lansing, a professional working three days a week (roughly 24 hours) can expect to take home around $49,000 annually, compared to a full-time counterpart making approximately $81,277. Per diem accountant pay in Lansing can be quite lucrative, with contract workers typically billing between $50 and $95 per hour, particularly in specialized fields. Those aligned with Big 4 firms can pull in $80-$130 per hour during busy seasons, while forensic accountants may charge even higher rates for expert witness services. Hourly rates vary widely among employers in the area; public accounting firms, regional CPA firms, and corporate departments frequently set differing expectations. Many professionals might opt for positions offering lower hourly rates but with accompanying health benefits, while others prioritize higher pay without such packages. Negotiation strategies are critical here, as discussing the value of specific experiences and certifications can yield higher compensation, particularly in a market where quality work is often rewarded with competitive hourly rates.
More salary data for Lansing, MI:
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 Lansing. 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