Okay, let’s tackle this. So Gina has 7+ years of experience as a Controller, which is a senior accounting role. Her location is Waco, Texas, which is a mid-sized city. According to national averages, Controllers with similar experience in mid-sized cities can earn around $80–$120 per hour. Considering her experience and location, I estimate her hourly rate to be around $85, which is slightly below the national average. This is because she’s in a smaller market, which can lead to lower salaries. However, her experience as a Controller still makes her a valuable asset to any organization, and she can command a premium rate. Let’s check industry benchmarks. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for accountants in the United States is around $74,000. Since Controllers typically earn higher salaries than accountants, let’s assume a 10%–20% premium. This would put her annual salary at around $82,000–$88,000, or around $85 per hour.