Accountant Hourly Pay in Sumter, SC: $38.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Sumter, SC runs $38.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,508 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Sumter's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.0, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,303 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sumter, South Carolina, the projected accountant hourly pay for 2026 is set at $38.70, which is slightly below the national median of $41.28. This wage provides a competitive rate for accountants looking to engage in part-time work, like those taking on 24 hours a week; they can earn a viable income while maintaining flexibility. The hourly range for accountants in Sumter varies widely. Entry-level positions may start as low as $24.37, while seasoned professionals can command rates up to $65.84 per hour. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics data reflects the diverse opportunities available, whether in client engagement rooms at public firms or in remote settings during tax season, catering to the demands of various employers.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.37 | $194.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.45 | $251.60 |
| Median (P50) | $38.70 | $309.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.89 | $399.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.84 | $526.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sumter
Based on $38.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.70/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sumter, SC can expect to earn approximately $80,505 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,445. With a cost-of-living index of 88.02 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sumter.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sumter
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,548.18 | $6,709 | $80,505 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $928.91 | $4,025 | $48,303 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $619.27 | $2,684 | $32,202 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Sumter) | $38.70 |
| 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 Sumter, SC earn a median of $80,508 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.24% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 1.90% above the South Carolina state average of $79,007.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.70/hr = $48,303/year (purchasing power: $54,878).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,505/year (purchasing power: $91,463).
CoL index: 88.02 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Sumter (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Sumter grew 25.8% from $29.99/hr (2019) to $37.72/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.71/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 Sumter 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 Sumter
Part-time accountants in Sumter who work three days a week can expect to earn approximately $48,000 annually, a reasonable income compared to full-time counterparts. Per diem arrangements present different earning opportunities, with independent or contracted accountants billing between $50 and $95 per hour, contingent on their area of expertise. Professionals with experience in high-demand fields, such as forensic accounting or litigation support, can significantly increase their earning potential, reaching rates of $300 to $600 per hour. Various employer types also influence wages; accountants working for Big 4 firms generally earn more than those in small CPA practices or government positions, which may offer steadier hours but lower pay. When negotiating rates, accountants in Sumter should weigh the benefits of steady employment against potentially higher freelance rates, which often lack health coverage or retirement options.
More salary data for Sumter, SC:
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 Sumter. 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