Accounting is one of the most financially stable careers in the US, with demand that grows every year. Whether you are exploring the field or planning your next salary negotiation, here is a complete picture of accountant compensation in 2026.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for accountants and auditors, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $56,020 | $26.93 |
| 25th | $67,020 | $32.22 |
| 50th (median) | $83,680 | $40.23 |
| 75th | $109,810 | $52.79 |
| 90th | $144,090 | $69.27 |
| Average (mean) | $94,750 | $45.55 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Accountants and Auditors (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
Accountant Salary Overview
By Experience Level
| Experience Level | Average Annual Salary | Typical Role |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (0-2 years) | $50,000 - $58,000 | Staff accountant |
| Mid-level (3-6 years) | $65,000 - $85,000 | Senior accountant |
| Experienced (7-12 years) | $85,000 - $115,000 | Controller, manager |
| Senior / Director | $115,000 - $160,000 | Director of finance |
| VP / CFO | $160,000 - $300,000+ | Exec leadership |
CPA vs. Non-CPA
| Level | Without CPA | With CPA | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level | $52,000 | $58,000 | +12% |
| Mid-level | $72,000 | $85,000 | +18% |
| Senior | $100,000 | $120,000 | +20% |
| Director | $140,000 | $160,000 | +14% |
Accountant Salary by Specialty
| Specialty | Average Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Public accounting (Big 4) | $60,000-$200,000 | Wide range by seniority |
| Corporate/private accounting | $65,000-$130,000 | More stable hours |
| Government accounting | $55,000-$95,000 | Strong benefits, pension |
| Forensic accounting | $80,000-$140,000 | High demand, investigative |
| Tax accounting | $70,000-$130,000 | Seasonal peaks |
| Auditing | $65,000-$120,000 | Travel-heavy at Big 4 |
| Management accounting (CMA) | $80,000-$150,000 | Strategy-focused |
Accountant Salary by State
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $122,680 | $71,470 | $111,530 |
| 2 | New York | $114,070 | $63,700 | $102,640 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $110,590 | $65,710 | $100,830 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $107,170 | $70,460 | $99,460 |
| 5 | California | $103,760 | $61,770 | $97,050 |
| 6 | Colorado | $103,150 | $60,760 | $97,030 |
| 7 | Washington | $102,700 | $66,330 | $96,550 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $101,810 | $64,230 | $97,550 |
| 9 | Virginia | $100,660 | $60,000 | $93,290 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $99,880 | $59,920 | $95,820 |
| 11 | Maryland | $98,210 | $59,760 | $89,370 |
| 12 | Delaware | $97,930 | $60,500 | $95,020 |
| 13 | Minnesota | $94,060 | $58,280 | $81,600 |
| 14 | Oregon | $93,870 | $62,590 | $85,800 |
| 15 | North Carolina | $93,810 | $53,610 | $82,050 |
| 16 | Georgia | $93,640 | $51,830 | $81,900 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $92,570 | $59,920 | $83,470 |
| 18 | Oklahoma | $91,350 | $47,670 | $79,370 |
| 19 | Texas | $90,370 | $53,380 | $80,920 |
| 20 | Alaska | $90,350 | $57,690 | $83,460 |
| 21 | Nevada | $89,310 | $58,630 | $81,600 |
| 22 | Illinois | $88,910 | $54,510 | $80,230 |
| 23 | Arizona | $88,400 | $55,430 | $79,970 |
| 24 | Ohio | $88,280 | $52,140 | $79,320 |
| 25 | Florida | $88,210 | $50,280 | $79,250 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $87,870 | $58,340 | $79,400 |
| 27 | Utah | $87,700 | $48,770 | $79,990 |
| 28 | Michigan | $86,990 | $52,620 | $78,820 |
| 29 | Kansas | $86,130 | $52,960 | $79,000 |
| 30 | Pennsylvania | $86,070 | $50,680 | $79,000 |
| 31 | South Carolina | $85,390 | $50,370 | $76,560 |
| 32 | Vermont | $85,280 | $59,770 | $78,890 |
| 33 | South Dakota | $85,030 | $61,190 | $78,880 |
| 34 | Maine | $84,880 | $55,640 | $77,480 |
| 35 | New Mexico | $84,320 | $52,390 | $78,580 |
| 36 | Indiana | $84,000 | $50,950 | $77,720 |
| 37 | Wyoming | $83,820 | $50,900 | $77,620 |
| 38 | Iowa | $83,640 | $51,420 | $77,440 |
| 39 | Missouri | $83,180 | $49,290 | $76,590 |
| 40 | Montana | $82,750 | $49,250 | $75,810 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $82,260 | $49,920 | $76,840 |
| 42 | Alabama | $81,080 | $50,240 | $74,880 |
| 43 | Kentucky | $80,790 | $50,750 | $75,270 |
| 44 | North Dakota | $80,090 | $49,330 | $75,730 |
| 45 | Idaho | $79,940 | $48,170 | $74,730 |
| 46 | Hawaii | $79,300 | $49,860 | $74,500 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $79,130 | $48,950 | $73,810 |
| 48 | West Virginia | $78,020 | $49,240 | $73,320 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $77,680 | $45,440 | $68,100 |
| 50 | Nebraska | $77,660 | $48,590 | $72,080 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $76,980 | $45,810 | $66,330 |
| — | National | $94,750 | $56,020 | $83,680 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-09-29. Figures cover Accountants and Auditors (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
Top Paying Industries for Accountants
| Industry | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Finance and insurance | $95,000 |
| Management of companies | $92,000 |
| Government | $78,000 |
| Professional services | $85,000 |
| Healthcare | $72,000 |
| Retail trade | $68,000 |
Career Path and Salary Progression
Typical Big 4 Firm Path
| Years | Title | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 | Associate | $60,000-$75,000 |
| 2-4 | Senior Associate | $75,000-$95,000 |
| 4-7 | Manager | $100,000-$130,000 |
| 7-10 | Senior Manager | $130,000-$170,000 |
| 10-15 | Director | $160,000-$220,000 |
| 15+ | Partner | $250,000-$500,000+ |
Corporate Finance Path
| Years | Title | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3 | Staff Accountant | $52,000-$65,000 |
| 3-7 | Senior Accountant | $70,000-$90,000 |
| 7-12 | Accounting Manager | $90,000-$120,000 |
| 12-18 | Controller | $110,000-$160,000 |
| 18+ | CFO | $160,000-$300,000+ |
Key Certifications and Their Impact
| Certification | Cost | Time to Earn | Salary Boost |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPA | $3,000-$5,000 | 1-2 years | +10-20% |
| CMA | $1,500-$2,500 | 6-12 months | +8-15% |
| CFE (forensic) | $1,000-$2,000 | 6-12 months | +10-20% |
| EA (tax) | $500-$1,000 | 3-6 months | +5-12% |
Accountant Job Outlook
The BLS projects 5% growth in accounting jobs through 2035, a little faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. Demand is steady across industries — businesses always need accountants. The field is also relatively recession-resistant.
Related: Financial Advisor Salary | Actuary Salary | Project Manager Salary
Related Salary Guides
See every profession in our salary by profession guides.
Is It a Good Career?
Advantages
- Stable demand — Every business needs accountants.
- Clear career path — Defined progression from staff to partner.
- Exit options — Strong paths to corporate, consulting, finance.
- Geographic flexibility — Accountants needed everywhere.
- Recession resistance — Audit and tax always needed.
- Remote opportunities — Growing rapidly post-pandemic.
Disadvantages
- Repetitive work — Entry-level roles can be tedious.
- Client pressure — Demanding clients in public accounting.
- Automation threat — Entry-level transactional work being automated.
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