How much is the rate of a bookkeeper?

Asked by: Etha Yundt  |  Last update: May 22, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (8 votes)

Bookkeeper rates generally range from $20 to $60 per hour for standard services in the U.S., with an average of approximately $30–$40 per hour. For specialized, certified, or high-level freelance bookkeepers, rates often exceed $75–$100+ per hour. Monthly retainer fees typically range from $250 to $2,500 based on business complexity.

What is a good rate for a bookkeeper?

Hourly rates are commonly quoted across the industry, ranging from $25 to $100 per hour. Entry-level bookkeepers can charge $25--$40/hour for basic tasks like data entry, while experienced people handling more complex tasks like payroll or tax compliance may charge $50--$100/hour.

What should a bookkeeper charge?

You can charge anywhere from $25 to $100+ per hour, or use flat monthly packages from $300 to $2,500+, depending on experience, services (payroll, reconciliation), number of transactions, bank accounts, and client complexity, with common pricing models including hourly, fixed monthly, per-transaction ($0.50-$1.25), or tiered packages. 

How do I price myself as a bookkeeper?

Many bookkeepers charge an hourly rate. This averages around $25 to $100 per hour. This all depends on things like their education, work experience, and the tasks they are expected to perform on the job, in addition to standard accounting functions.

What is the average hourly rate for a self-employed bookkeeper?

In the UK, the average hourly rate for a freelance bookkeeper in 2025 is typically between £25 and £40 per hour. This rate varies significantly based on the bookkeeper's experience, qualifications (e.g., AAT or ICB certified), and location, with rates in London being considerably higher.

How to Price Your Bookkeeping Services: $500 Per Client Per Month

20 related questions found

What is considered a full charge bookkeeper?

The term "full charge" means that these bookkeepers manage all of the business's accounting needs. Besides the typical task of maintaining the business ledger, these bookkeepers prepare financial statements and tax returns, record complex transactions and process timesheets and payroll.

How much should a bookkeeper charge per transaction?

That's why your firm needs to know exactly what you are going to record and track. To do that, ask your clients questions like how many accounts they have and how many deposits they make per month. With this approach, you should ideally charge anywhere between $0.50 to $1.25 for each transaction.

How much does it cost to have someone do your bookkeeping?

Bookkeepers typically charge $25 to $100 per hour, or a monthly flat fee of $250 to $2,500, depending on experience, business size, transaction volume, and location, with many small businesses budgeting 1-3% of revenue. Rates vary, with more complex needs (like payroll, analysis) or experienced pros costing more, while online or tiered packages offer different price points. 

Can a bookkeeper pay bills?

"A bookkeeper records the financial transactions of an organization and takes care of day-to-day functions such as recording sales and invoices, paying bills and processing payroll," Stephens said.

How do I price my bookkeeping services?

You can charge anywhere from $25 to $100+ per hour, or use flat monthly packages from $300 to $2,500+, depending on experience, services (payroll, reconciliation), number of transactions, bank accounts, and client complexity, with common pricing models including hourly, fixed monthly, per-transaction ($0.50-$1.25), or tiered packages. 

What are common bookkeeping mistakes?

Not Chasing Late Payments. Failing to Keep Relevant Receipts. Carelessness When Bookkeeping. Combining Business And Personal Expenses. Using Manual Accounting Systems.

What is the hourly rate for a bookkeeper in the US?

The average salary for a bookkeeper is $23.38 per hour in the United States. 14.1k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated January 12, 2026).

What is the golden rule of bookkeeping?

The three golden rules of accounting are to (1) debit the receiver and credit the giver, (2) debit what comes in and credit what goes out, and (3) debit expenses and losses, credit income and gains. What are the three types of accounts? The three golden rules of accounting apply to real, personal, and nominal accounts.

How to be a full charge bookkeeper?

Requirements and Qualifications

  1. Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or business administration (preferred)
  2. Prior experience with accounting or bookkeeping.
  3. CPA license (preferred)
  4. Superb attention to detail.
  5. Strong communication skills.

How much money do freelance bookkeepers make?

How much does a Freelance Bookkeeper make? As of Jan 18, 2026, the average annual pay for a Freelance Bookkeeper in the United States is $50,573 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $24.31 an hour. This is the equivalent of $972/week or $4,214/month.