Accountant Hourly Pay in Salt Lake City, UT: $40.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Salt Lake City, UT runs $40.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,243 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Salt Lake City's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $40.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,544 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median hourly rate for accountants in Salt Lake City, Utah, is projected to be $40.50. This figure is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $41.28, reflecting the localized dynamics of the profession within the area. For part-time workers, accounting jobs typically offer decent flexibility, allowing professionals to work 24 hours a week (or three days), translating to more than $62,000 annually, which can be attractive for those seeking work-life balance. Per-diem accountants in Salt Lake City can expect to earn between $25.40 and $64.98 per hour, indicating a wide spectrum of earning potential that aligns with career experience and specialization. Entry-level accountants may find themselves at the lower end of the scale, while those with significant expertise and clientele could reach the upper echelon of the salary range. These insights are anchored in official BLS data, projecting continued stability and growth in the profession.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.40 | $203.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.05 | $256.36 |
| Median (P50) | $40.50 | $324.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.17 | $425.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.98 | $519.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salt Lake City
Based on $40.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.50/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salt Lake City, UT can expect to earn approximately $84,240 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,600. With a cost-of-living index of 100.87 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salt Lake City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salt Lake City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,620.01 | $7,020 | $84,240 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $972.00 | $4,212 | $50,544 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $648.00 | $2,808 | $33,696 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Salt Lake City) | $40.50 |
| 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 Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $84,243 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.89% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 8.50% above the Utah state average of $77,643.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.50/hr = $50,544/year (purchasing power: $50,109).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,240/year (purchasing power: $83,515).
CoL index: 100.868 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Salt Lake City grew 27.2% from $31.02/hr (2019) to $39.47/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.56/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 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City
Many factors influence the earning potential of part-time accountants compared to their full-time counterparts. For a three-day workweek, the take-home pay for a part-time accountant can still afford a comfortable lifestyle in Salt Lake City, although it lacks the extensive benefits that full-time roles often provide. Per diem and contract accountants can command rates ranging from $50 to $95 per hour, depending on their specialization. Those who have worked with Big 4 firms often fill temporary roles during busy seasons and may receive pay as high as $130 per hour. Client-facing roles within corporate accounting and boutique firms can propose varied rates; public accounting firms generally offer lower hourly rates but may provide health benefits, while industry roles tend to pay more cash with the trade-off being less prestige. Accountants looking to negotiate their hourly rate in Salt Lake City should focus on their unique qualifications and the demand for their specific services, especially in a rapidly evolving market.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
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 Salt Lake City. 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