Accountant Hourly Pay in Lexington, SC: $35.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Lexington, SC runs $35.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,605 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Lexington's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,769 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lexington, SC, the accountant hourly pay is projected to be $35.87 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national average of $41.28 per hour. This rate sets the stage for various engagement scenarios in accounting, appealing especially to part-time and per-diem accountants. Typically, professionals in this field may work in client engagement rooms at public firms, corporate finance departments, or even remotely during tax season. For those employed part-time, such as a 3-day workweek, the potential for varying lives and responsibilities may dictate their choice. Entry-level positions in Lexington can start at $24.30, while experienced accountants may command up to $55.59 per hour, indicating a broad spectrum of pay based on expertise, firm size, and type of work.
About the Lexington Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.30 | $194.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.56 | $228.45 |
| Median (P50) | $35.87 | $286.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.22 | $361.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.59 | $444.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lexington
Based on $35.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.87/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lexington, SC can expect to earn approximately $74,615 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,047. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lexington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lexington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,434.90 | $6,218 | $74,615 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $860.94 | $3,731 | $44,769 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $573.96 | $2,487 | $29,846 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Lexington) | $35.87 |
| 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 Lexington, SC earn a median of $74,605 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.11% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 5.50% below the South Carolina state average of $78,947.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.87/hr = $44,769/year (purchasing power: $48,928).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,615/year (purchasing power: $81,546).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Lexington grew 17.0% from $29.89/hr (2019) to $34.96/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.81/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 Lexington 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 Lexington
For accountants pursuing part-time opportunities in Lexington, a 24-hour workweek translates to an annual income that falls well short of full-time earnings. Compared to their full-time counterparts, part-time accountants earn a fraction of what one could achieve through consistent hours and higher-demand workloads. The per diem and contract accounting market also presents lucrative possibilities, with many billing between $50 to $95 per hour depending on their specialization. Top-tier professionals, particularly those from the Big 4 firms, can secure $80 to $130 per hour during busy seasons. Those with forensic or valuation expertise may find even higher compensation in litigation contexts, reaching $300 to $600 from as expert witnesses. Given the competitive dynamics of different employer types—whether it's a Big 4 firm, a regional CPA practice, or corporate accounting departments—hourly rates can vary accordingly. Understanding the trade-offs, such as opting for lower hourly rates with benefits, is essential for many accountants in Lexington as they negotiate their compensation packages.
More salary data for Lexington, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for accountants in Lexington in 2026?
How much do part-time accountants make in Lexington?
Are accountants in Lexington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time accountant make per year in Lexington?
Do accountants earn more per hour working part-time in Lexington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Carolina
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 Lexington. 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 Lexington 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