Accountant Hourly Pay in Las Cruces, NM: $33.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Las Cruces, NM runs $33.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,231 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Las Cruces's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.2, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,542 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Accountants in Las Cruces, NM, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $33.29 in 2026, which falls notably below the national median of $41.28. This disparity indicates potential challenges for part-time employees and per-diem accountants in the region. For those working three days a week, typically around 24 hours, the earnings can vary widely due to the hourly range from entry-level ($25.46) to top earners ($51.23). In various settings—from corporate finance offices to IRS field offices and remote workstations during tax season—accountants are compensated based on their skill levels and experience. It's important to recognize that these figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, offering a reliable benchmark for those considering an accounting career in Las Cruces.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.46 | $203.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.66 | $237.32 |
| Median (P50) | $33.29 | $266.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.45 | $331.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.23 | $409.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Las Cruces
Based on $33.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.29/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Las Cruces, NM can expect to earn approximately $69,236 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,944. With a cost-of-living index of 90.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Las Cruces.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Las Cruces
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,331.47 | $5,770 | $69,236 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $798.88 | $3,462 | $41,542 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $532.59 | $2,308 | $27,695 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Las Cruces) | $33.29 |
| 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 Las Cruces, NM earn a median of $69,231 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.37% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 14.60% below the New Mexico state average of $81,067.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.29/hr = $41,542/year (purchasing power: $46,049).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,236/year (purchasing power: $76,748).
CoL index: 90.212 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.29/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+37.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Las Cruces (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Las Cruces grew 30.6% from $24.84/hr (2019) to $32.44/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.16/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 Las Cruces 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 Las Cruces
Hourly work in accounting comes with specific financial dynamics, particularly for part-time and contract roles. A part-time accountant working 24 hours a week will see annual earnings significantly lower than full-time counterparts, making it imperative for these professionals to assess job opportunities wisely. Meanwhile, per-diem accountants can command higher rates, often billing between $50 and $95 per hour based on their expertise; seasoned alumni from Big 4 firms may even secure $80 to $130 per hour during high-demand seasons. Different employer types impact pay rates as well, with those in public accounting firms, corporate settings, and government roles offering varied compensation packages. Many accountants face a trade-off between lower hourly rates that include health benefits and the higher rates of contract work without them. Negotiation strategies tailored to the Las Cruces market can enhance earning potential, helping professionals achieve a balance that meets both their financial and personal needs.
More salary data for Las Cruces, NM:
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 Las Cruces. 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