Accountant salary
BLS occupation: Accountants and Auditors · also called CPA, auditor · Business and finance · data for May 2025
Median salary $83,680 a year, US
Median hourly pay $40.23 an hour
Middle half earn $67,020–$109,810 25th to 75th percentile
Accountants employed 1,449,500 +5.0% projected by 2035
How much does an accountant make?
- The median accountant salary in the US is $83,680 a year ($40.23 an hour): half of the 1,449,500 accountants BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $94,750.
- The middle half earn between $67,020 and $109,810. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $56,020 and the top 10% more than $144,090.
- That is 64% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- The District of Columbia pays accountants the most (median $111,530), followed by New York ($102,640) and New Jersey ($100,830). Arkansas pays the least ($66,330).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in the District of Columbia, where the median is worth $101,482 in typical US prices, then Delaware and New York.
- In 331 of the 383 metro areas with data, the median accountant salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of accountants to grow 5.0% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 115,300 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what accountants are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Accountant salary range
Half of accountants earn between $67,020 and $109,810 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $56,020
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $67,020
Median Yearly pay: $83,680
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $109,810
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $144,090
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $56,020 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $67,020 |
| Median | $83,680 |
| Top 25% earn over | $109,810 |
| Top 10% earn over | $144,090 |
Accountant salary by state
The District of Columbia pays accountants the most; Arkansas the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($83,680), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,530 median |
| New York | $102,640 median |
| New Jersey | $100,830 median |
| Massachusetts | $99,460 median |
| Connecticut | $97,550 median |
| California | $97,050 median |
| Colorado | $97,030 median |
| Washington | $96,550 median |
| Rhode Island | $95,820 median |
| Delaware | $95,020 median |
| Virginia | $93,290 median |
| Maryland | $89,370 median |
| Oregon | $85,800 median |
| New Hampshire | $83,470 median |
| Alaska | $83,460 median |
| North Carolina | $82,050 median |
| Georgia | $81,900 median |
| Minnesota | $81,600 median |
| Nevada | $81,600 median |
| Texas | $80,920 median |
| Illinois | $80,230 median |
| Utah | $79,990 median |
| Arizona | $79,970 median |
| Wisconsin | $79,400 median |
| Oklahoma | $79,370 median |
| Ohio | $79,320 median |
| Florida | $79,250 median |
| Kansas | $79,000 median |
| Pennsylvania | $79,000 median |
| Vermont | $78,890 median |
| South Dakota | $78,880 median |
| Michigan | $78,820 median |
| New Mexico | $78,580 median |
| Indiana | $77,720 median |
| Wyoming | $77,620 median |
| Maine | $77,480 median |
| Iowa | $77,440 median |
| Tennessee | $76,840 median |
| Missouri | $76,590 median |
| South Carolina | $76,560 median |
| Montana | $75,810 median |
| North Dakota | $75,730 median |
| Kentucky | $75,270 median |
| Alabama | $74,880 median |
| Idaho | $74,730 median |
| Hawaii | $74,500 median |
| Louisiana | $73,810 median |
| West Virginia | $73,320 median |
| Nebraska | $72,080 median |
| Mississippi | $68,100 median |
| Arkansas | $66,330 median |
Where accountant pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Accountants' pay goes furthest in the District of Columbia once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $101,482 |
| Delaware | $95,203 |
| New York | $95,107 |
| Colorado | $94,156 |
| Connecticut | $94,151 |
| Massachusetts | $94,046 |
| Rhode Island | $93,684 |
| New Jersey | $92,670 |
| Virginia | $92,271 |
| Oklahoma | $90,354 |
Accountant pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,530 | $53.62 | $71,470 | $185,220 | 9,810 | $101,482 |
| New York | $102,640 | $49.35 | $63,700 | $171,030 | 109,830 | $95,107 |
| New Jersey | $100,830 | $48.48 | $65,710 | $167,080 | 42,250 | $92,670 |
| Massachusetts | $99,460 | $47.82 | $70,460 | $160,100 | 46,230 | $94,046 |
| Connecticut | $97,550 | $46.90 | $64,230 | $156,670 | 16,770 | $94,151 |
| California | $97,050 | $46.66 | $61,770 | $160,520 | 175,360 | $87,654 |
| Colorado | $97,030 | $46.65 | $60,760 | $162,160 | 35,410 | $94,156 |
| Washington | $96,550 | $46.42 | $66,330 | $152,310 | 34,740 | $90,223 |
| Rhode Island | $95,820 | $46.07 | $59,920 | $150,320 | 6,570 | $93,684 |
| Delaware | $95,020 | $45.68 | $60,500 | $132,550 | 6,570 | $95,203 |
| Virginia | $93,290 | $44.85 | $60,000 | $156,730 | 47,100 | $92,271 |
| Maryland | $89,370 | $42.97 | $59,760 | $156,660 | 26,170 | $85,148 |
| Oregon | $85,800 | $41.25 | $62,590 | $130,650 | 14,920 | $83,010 |
| New Hampshire | $83,470 | $40.13 | $59,920 | $131,110 | 7,000 | $80,132 |
| Alaska | $83,460 | $40.13 | $57,690 | $125,810 | 2,190 | $81,537 |
| North Carolina | $82,050 | $39.45 | $53,610 | $146,100 | 49,270 | $86,986 |
| Georgia | $81,900 | $39.38 | $51,830 | $145,960 | 44,020 | $85,053 |
| Minnesota | $81,600 | $39.23 | $58,280 | $138,960 | 30,530 | $82,741 |
| Nevada | $81,600 | $39.23 | $58,630 | $128,760 | 6,930 | $81,617 |
| Texas | $80,920 | $38.90 | $53,380 | $132,040 | 116,470 | $83,374 |
| Illinois | $80,230 | $38.57 | $54,510 | $131,990 | 54,930 | $80,264 |
| Utah | $79,990 | $38.46 | $48,770 | $131,590 | 15,490 | $80,909 |
| Arizona | $79,970 | $38.45 | $55,430 | $128,890 | 27,410 | $79,432 |
| Wisconsin | $79,400 | $38.17 | $58,340 | $127,800 | 25,100 | $84,383 |
| Oklahoma | $79,370 | $38.16 | $47,670 | $155,480 | 16,720 | $90,354 |
| Ohio | $79,320 | $38.13 | $52,140 | $131,400 | 50,440 | $85,498 |
| Florida | $79,250 | $38.10 | $50,280 | $131,930 | 91,000 | $76,634 |
| Kansas | $79,000 | $37.98 | $52,960 | $129,800 | 13,610 | $87,712 |
| Pennsylvania | $79,000 | $37.98 | $50,680 | $130,270 | 54,290 | $80,966 |
| Vermont | $78,890 | $37.93 | $59,770 | $118,800 | 2,630 | $80,535 |
| South Dakota | $78,880 | $37.92 | $61,190 | $115,470 | 5,820 | $89,043 |
| Michigan | $78,820 | $37.89 | $52,620 | $131,080 | 41,460 | $81,919 |
| New Mexico | $78,580 | $37.78 | $52,390 | $125,420 | 6,300 | $85,217 |
| Indiana | $77,720 | $37.37 | $50,950 | $125,880 | 25,660 | $83,275 |
| Wyoming | $77,620 | $37.32 | $50,900 | $126,520 | 2,670 | $83,741 |
| Maine | $77,480 | $37.25 | $55,640 | $125,130 | 3,860 | $79,835 |
| Iowa | $77,440 | $37.23 | $51,420 | $123,700 | 13,210 | $88,239 |
| Tennessee | $76,840 | $36.94 | $49,920 | $122,160 | 27,340 | $83,640 |
| Missouri | $76,590 | $36.82 | $49,290 | $128,300 | 28,000 | $84,334 |
| South Carolina | $76,560 | $36.81 | $50,370 | $131,220 | 15,270 | $81,665 |
| Montana | $75,810 | $36.45 | $49,250 | $125,290 | 4,730 | $80,099 |
| North Dakota | $75,730 | $36.41 | $49,330 | $124,960 | 4,430 | $85,129 |
| Kentucky | $75,270 | $36.19 | $50,750 | $121,230 | 11,930 | $83,486 |
| Alabama | $74,880 | $36.00 | $50,240 | $123,170 | 24,300 | $84,302 |
| Idaho | $74,730 | $35.93 | $48,170 | $121,820 | 5,570 | $78,256 |
| Hawaii | $74,500 | $35.82 | $49,860 | $117,840 | 4,670 | $67,757 |
| Louisiana | $73,810 | $35.49 | $48,950 | $117,110 | 14,050 | $83,678 |
| West Virginia | $73,320 | $35.25 | $49,240 | $115,210 | 4,900 | $81,925 |
| Nebraska | $72,080 | $34.65 | $48,590 | $114,530 | 10,340 | $79,997 |
| Mississippi | $68,100 | $32.74 | $45,440 | $120,290 | 7,350 | $78,318 |
| Arkansas | $66,330 | $31.89 | $45,810 | $119,520 | 7,870 | $76,297 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Accountant salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes accountant pay: 387 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Jose, CA $121,700
- San Francisco, CA $110,730
- New York, NY $105,650
- Washington, DC $102,140
- Bridgeport, CT $102,020
- Midland, TX $100,890
- Parkersburg, WV $100,420
- Boston, MA $100,150
- Denver, CO $100,020
- Boulder, CO $99,990
Where the pay goes furthest
- Parkersburg, WV $115,338
- San Jose, CA $110,213
- Midland, TX $105,332
- Midland, MI $99,857
- Barnstable, MA $97,721
- Trenton, NJ $96,482
- Springfield, MA $95,783
- San Francisco, CA $95,776
- Longview, WA $95,474
- Bridgeport, CT $95,467
All 387 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $121,700 | 13,180 | $110,213 | 38% |
| San Francisco, CA | $110,730 | 25,170 | $95,776 | 37% |
| New York, NY | $105,650 | 111,930 | $93,859 | 40% |
| Washington, DC | $102,140 | 41,470 | $93,806 | 28% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $102,020 | 5,000 | $95,467 | 34% |
| Midland, TX | $100,890 | 1,240 | $105,332 | 19% |
| Parkersburg, WV | $100,420 | 550 | $115,338 | 13% |
| Boston, MA | $100,150 | 37,150 | $92,504 | 36% |
| Denver, CO | $100,020 | 22,720 | $94,553 | 23% |
| Boulder, CO | $99,990 | 2,380 | $95,046 | 26% |
| Napa, CA | $99,640 | 520 | $88,526 | 35% |
| Trenton, NJ | $99,550 | 2,890 | $96,482 | 30% |
| Seattle, WA | $99,370 | 22,100 | $89,415 | 27% |
| San Diego, CA | $96,340 | 13,450 | $86,105 | 37% |
| Barnstable, MA | $96,110 | 760 | $97,721 | 32% |
| Hartford, CT | $95,940 | 6,780 | $93,376 | 25% |
| Vallejo, CA | $95,800 | 690 | $88,312 | 31% |
| Providence, RI | $95,020 | 8,250 | $93,365 | 27% |
| New Haven, CT | $94,960 | 2,000 | $90,820 | 26% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $94,690 | 1,740 | $87,852 | 34% |
| Olympia, WA | $94,470 | 1,330 | $91,126 | 26% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $94,360 | 70,640 | $83,088 | 37% |
| Worcester, MA | $94,070 | 3,090 | $91,755 | 27% |
| Carson City, NV | $93,560 | 240 | $95,343 | 27% |
| Kennewick, WA | $93,280 | 1,020 | $93,206 | 22% |
| Longview, WA | $93,130 | 250 | $95,474 | 18% |
| Waterbury, CT | $93,010 | 1,230 | $93,217 | – |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $92,920 | 400 | $90,704 | 28% |
| Charlotte, NC | $92,910 | 16,820 | $95,441 | 22% |
| Portland, OR | $92,200 | 10,100 | $87,459 | 23% |
| Sacramento, CA | $92,110 | 13,170 | $86,350 | 30% |
| Springfield, MA | $92,010 | 1,720 | $95,783 | 26% |
| Midland, MI | $91,790 | 450 | $99,857 | 18% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $91,610 | 1,510 | $84,202 | 43% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $91,240 | 360 | $90,552 | 27% |
| Oxnard, CA | $90,340 | 2,530 | $81,731 | 39% |
| Walla Walla, WA | $89,630 | 170 | $90,977 | 20% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $89,340 | 1,860 | $88,343 | 27% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $88,900 | 1,860 | $81,245 | 30% |
| Bremerton, WA | $88,250 | 580 | $83,565 | 28% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $88,160 | 860 | $81,182 | 38% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $87,770 | 410 | $84,512 | 24% |
| Salem, OR | $87,480 | 1,510 | $84,400 | 23% |
| Greeley, CO | $87,240 | 1,160 | $87,087 | 23% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $86,500 | 21,820 | $82,521 | 24% |
| Springfield, IL | $86,440 | 1,600 | $93,202 | 17% |
| Spokane, WA | $86,350 | 2,340 | $86,052 | 21% |
| Bend, OR | $86,030 | 750 | $83,035 | 31% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $85,990 | 29,370 | $83,849 | 27% |
| Atlanta, GA | $85,820 | 30,150 | $85,770 | 26% |
| Bellingham, WA | $85,450 | 870 | $82,693 | 27% |
| Baltimore, MD | $85,160 | 13,550 | $81,503 | 27% |
| Durham, NC | $85,090 | 3,060 | $87,207 | 23% |
| Houston, TX | $85,090 | 28,400 | $86,273 | 23% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $85,000 | 2,580 | $84,403 | 25% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $84,920 | 740 | $77,273 | 49% |
| Albany, NY | $84,660 | 4,680 | $85,029 | 24% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $84,640 | 480 | $88,995 | 25% |
| Naples, FL | $84,570 | 1,430 | $81,948 | 37% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $84,390 | 490 | $84,185 | – |
| Richmond, VA | $84,220 | 7,920 | $86,063 | 24% |
| Rochester, MN | $83,960 | 760 | $92,446 | 23% |
| Riverside, CA | $83,920 | 9,240 | $78,841 | 36% |
| Casper, WY | $83,890 | 390 | $89,407 | 20% |
| Salinas, CA | $83,810 | 1,050 | $76,860 | 40% |
| Ithaca, NY | $83,800 | 370 | $81,110 | 28% |
| Manchester, NH | $83,660 | 2,110 | $79,181 | 31% |
| Stockton, CA | $83,570 | 1,420 | $79,523 | 35% |
| Modesto, CA | $83,560 | 1,200 | $80,263 | 30% |
| Austin, TX | $83,120 | 12,480 | $84,759 | 23% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $83,040 | 910 | $84,000 | 30% |
| Vineland, NJ | $82,960 | 330 | $86,445 | 24% |
| Dallas, TX | $82,620 | 37,450 | $80,144 | 24% |
| Norwich, CT | $82,530 | 740 | $82,164 | 31% |
| Burlington, VT | $82,510 | 1,040 | $81,734 | 38% |
| Binghamton, NY | $82,500 | 670 | $88,841 | 23% |
| Fairbanks, AK | $82,500 | 170 | $79,936 | 27% |
| Yakima, WA | $82,380 | 600 | $86,221 | 20% |
| Reno, NV | $82,370 | 1,480 | $81,543 | 30% |
| Chicago, IL | $82,360 | 41,360 | $79,502 | 32% |
| Syracuse, NY | $82,230 | 2,710 | $85,887 | 24% |
| Anchorage, AK | $82,150 | 1,160 | $77,926 | 28% |
| Buffalo, NY | $82,120 | 4,870 | $85,681 | 21% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $82,100 | 8,660 | $81,394 | 24% |
| Ogden, UT | $82,010 | 1,650 | $81,725 | 24% |
| Albany, OR | $81,970 | 200 | $80,284 | 24% |
| Raleigh, NC | $81,950 | 9,190 | $83,489 | 24% |
| Columbus, OH | $81,700 | 11,410 | $85,578 | 22% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $81,530 | 1,100 | $82,232 | 30% |
| Jackson, MI | $81,470 | 500 | $88,768 | 17% |
| Tulsa, OK | $81,320 | 5,110 | $91,152 | 20% |
| Medford, OR | $81,210 | 600 | $80,063 | 27% |
| Madison, WI | $81,130 | 4,440 | $83,392 | 26% |
| North Port, FL | $81,090 | 2,780 | $79,176 | 31% |
| Miami, FL | $80,920 | 30,950 | $70,886 | 39% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $80,920 | 2,370 | $89,285 | 19% |
| Rochester, NY | $80,890 | 4,370 | $83,362 | 23% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $80,820 | 21,360 | $78,226 | 26% |
| Detroit, MI | $80,650 | 19,390 | $80,410 | 23% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $80,640 | 10,050 | $84,555 | 23% |
| Kingston, NY | $80,560 | 470 | $79,993 | 30% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $80,530 | 4,680 | $80,357 | 26% |
| Merced, CA | $80,420 | 360 | $81,832 | 31% |
| Asheville, NC | $80,400 | 1,540 | $83,311 | 25% |
| Appleton, WI | $80,360 | 1,020 | $86,952 | 18% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $80,340 | 390 | $84,688 | 22% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $80,330 | 390 | $85,445 | 20% |
| Burlington, NC | $80,320 | 430 | $86,184 | 20% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $80,290 | 7,960 | $82,827 | 23% |
| Odessa, TX | $80,260 | 550 | $85,478 | 24% |
| Greensboro, NC | $80,170 | 3,300 | $86,330 | 21% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $80,040 | 1,580 | $79,342 | 29% |
| Kansas City, MO | $80,040 | 11,260 | $86,490 | 23% |
| Cleveland, OH | $80,000 | 10,740 | $85,176 | 22% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $79,960 | 6,890 | $80,375 | 25% |
| Eugene, OR | $79,930 | 1,120 | $78,696 | 27% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $79,880 | 3,260 | $83,604 | 22% |
| Utica, NY | $79,830 | 1,040 | $86,137 | 21% |
| Portland, ME | $79,790 | 1,780 | $78,335 | 35% |
| Savannah, GA | $79,790 | 1,360 | $83,808 | 27% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $79,620 | 1,870 | $78,921 | 27% |
| Elmira, NY | $79,540 | 190 | $84,260 | 17% |
| Peoria, IL | $79,540 | 1,350 | $87,185 | 17% |
| Crestview, FL | $79,510 | 840 | $81,943 | 30% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $79,450 | 6,160 | $81,120 | 28% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $79,430 | 1,170 | $79,249 | 35% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $79,420 | 2,440 | $77,597 | 28% |
| Visalia, CA | $79,400 | 870 | $79,539 | 26% |
| Charleston, SC | $79,350 | 2,600 | $78,594 | 31% |
| Ames, IA | $79,320 | 530 | $89,294 | 18% |
| Des Moines, IA | $79,290 | 4,850 | $86,466 | 19% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $79,290 | 11,210 | $82,856 | 23% |
| Rapid City, SD | $79,270 | 840 | $88,908 | 22% |
| Wichita, KS | $79,270 | 3,120 | $89,121 | 18% |
| Huntsville, AL | $79,220 | 3,010 | $85,117 | 21% |
| Lansing, MI | $79,210 | 2,270 | $83,387 | 20% |
| Lawrence, KS | $79,050 | 400 | $87,597 | 24% |
| Dayton, OH | $79,030 | 2,640 | $85,259 | 20% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $78,990 | 680 | $88,392 | 20% |
| Redding, CA | $78,990 | 490 | $78,453 | 25% |
| Tampa, FL | $78,990 | 14,770 | $78,293 | 30% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $78,950 | 2,030 | $85,775 | 23% |
| St. Louis, MO | $78,880 | 13,610 | $82,955 | 22% |
| Kenosha, WI | $78,840 | 570 | $77,968 | – |
| Columbus, IN | $78,740 | 330 | $84,664 | 21% |
| Fresno, CA | $78,690 | 2,810 | $77,028 | 31% |
| Birmingham, AL | $78,660 | 7,790 | $85,832 | 21% |
| San Antonio, TX | $78,650 | 8,360 | $83,038 | 22% |
| Sioux City, IA | $78,650 | 520 | $90,973 | 20% |
| Kahului, HI | $78,630 | 440 | $71,878 | 49% |
| Orlando, FL | $78,630 | 10,410 | $77,531 | 29% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $78,560 | 800 | $85,412 | 22% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $78,560 | 390 | $83,762 | 23% |
| Akron, OH | $78,540 | 2,840 | $84,117 | 20% |
| Yuba City, CA | $78,530 | 280 | $75,341 | 31% |
| Sumter, SC | $78,460 | 150 | $89,139 | 22% |
| Allentown, PA | $78,430 | 2,500 | $78,455 | 28% |
| Pueblo, CO | $78,340 | 420 | $85,373 | 20% |
| Hanford, CA | $78,300 | 210 | $77,058 | 30% |
| Sebastian, FL | $78,130 | 390 | $79,475 | 33% |
| Nashville, TN | $78,080 | 11,290 | $81,048 | 28% |
| Grants Pass, OR | $78,070 | 130 | $79,859 | 25% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $77,980 | 380 | $77,727 | 33% |
| New Orleans, LA | $77,940 | 3,740 | $84,171 | 24% |
| South Bend, IN | $77,940 | 1,020 | $83,935 | 19% |
| Wilmington, NC | $77,920 | 1,520 | $80,811 | 27% |
| Owensboro, KY | $77,800 | 250 | $87,800 | 19% |
| Lewiston, ID | $77,790 | 150 | $85,333 | 23% |
| Lexington, KY | $77,780 | 1,830 | $83,734 | 25% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $77,770 | 500 | $79,151 | 29% |
| Lafayette, IN | $77,740 | 570 | $83,207 | 23% |
| Green Bay, WI | $77,720 | 1,490 | $83,493 | 17% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $77,720 | 800 | $88,689 | 19% |
| Chico, CA | $77,680 | 420 | $76,761 | 24% |
| Wausau, WI | $77,680 | 530 | $83,842 | 15% |
| Winchester, VA | $77,660 | 590 | $80,518 | 28% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $77,610 | 470 | $79,180 | 30% |
| Davenport, IA | $77,600 | 1,560 | $87,114 | 16% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $77,580 | 690 | $83,483 | 20% |
| Kokomo, IN | $77,520 | 170 | $86,472 | 17% |
| Racine, WI | $77,520 | 540 | $80,783 | 23% |
| Hickory, NC | $77,490 | 1,040 | $87,573 | 25% |
| Watertown, NY | $77,470 | 220 | $88,345 | 23% |
| Evansville, IN | $77,440 | 1,050 | $84,608 | 17% |
| Elkhart, IN | $77,420 | 990 | $85,713 | 18% |
| Dalton, GA | $77,410 | 450 | $86,160 | 22% |
| Bozeman, MT | $77,400 | 800 | $75,505 | 34% |
| Duluth, MN | $77,400 | 940 | $87,194 | 21% |
| Toledo, OH | $77,400 | 2,130 | $84,632 | 20% |
| Staunton, VA | $77,300 | 320 | $84,826 | 22% |
| The Villages, FL | $77,300 | 180 | $90,490 | 27% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $77,280 | 6,700 | $85,479 | 21% |
| Roanoke, VA | $77,240 | 1,200 | $82,506 | 22% |
| Corvallis, OR | $77,200 | 210 | $74,219 | 28% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $77,190 | 1,980 | $84,496 | 24% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $77,180 | 1,190 | $86,755 | 19% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $77,140 | 1,060 | $81,337 | 20% |
| Janesville, WI | $77,100 | 500 | $82,281 | 20% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $77,080 | 800 | $84,656 | 23% |
| Omaha, NE | $77,030 | 5,170 | $83,809 | 22% |
| Memphis, TN | $76,960 | 4,390 | $83,490 | 22% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $76,960 | 360 | $87,443 | 20% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $76,940 | 10,430 | $81,271 | 23% |
| Bismarck, ND | $76,910 | 780 | $84,494 | 20% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $76,870 | 640 | $80,512 | 27% |
| Greenville, SC | $76,870 | 2,890 | $82,425 | 24% |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $76,860 | 330 | $83,869 | 18% |
| Lakeland, FL | $76,820 | 1,740 | $79,081 | 28% |
| Decatur, IL | $76,720 | 260 | $86,766 | 17% |
| Augusta, GA | $76,710 | 1,280 | $83,468 | 23% |
| Boise, ID | $76,700 | 3,140 | $77,954 | 30% |
| Helena, MT | $76,700 | 580 | $80,167 | 26% |
| Beaumont, TX | $76,680 | 840 | $85,156 | 20% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $76,680 | 1,940 | $83,836 | 24% |
| La Crosse, WI | $76,680 | 630 | $83,558 | 21% |
| Mankato, MN | $76,660 | 400 | $84,283 | 19% |
| Bloomington, IN | $76,640 | 480 | $80,602 | 27% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $76,530 | 450 | $80,650 | 27% |
| Bloomington, IL | $76,510 | 750 | $81,797 | 20% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $76,510 | 3,210 | $77,557 | 23% |
| Fargo, ND | $76,420 | 1,580 | $84,097 | 17% |
| Pensacola, FL | $76,410 | 1,170 | $78,195 | 27% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $76,380 | 670 | $82,310 | 18% |
| Gulfport, MS | $76,380 | 860 | $84,861 | 22% |
| Louisville, KY | $76,320 | 4,590 | $81,999 | 21% |
| Tucson, AZ | $76,320 | 2,570 | $78,765 | 23% |
| Saginaw, MI | $76,310 | 790 | $83,958 | 17% |
| Salisbury, MD | $76,300 | 390 | $79,798 | 31% |
| Yuma, AZ | $76,300 | 390 | $82,303 | 22% |
| El Centro, CA | $76,280 | 300 | $80,148 | 28% |
| Topeka, KS | $76,280 | 1,420 | $85,882 | 20% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $76,270 | 5,670 | $79,825 | 25% |
| Amarillo, TX | $76,200 | 1,070 | $82,988 | 21% |
| Waco, TX | $76,140 | 860 | $82,269 | 22% |
| Lancaster, PA | $76,110 | 1,990 | $77,460 | 25% |
| Farmington, NM | $76,100 | 240 | $86,766 | 22% |
| Monroe, MI | $76,080 | 290 | $81,376 | 20% |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $76,050 | 310 | $84,960 | 21% |
| Battle Creek, MI | $76,030 | 340 | $83,973 | 18% |
| Lewiston, ME | $75,980 | 320 | $80,202 | 25% |
| Kingsport, TN | $75,940 | 780 | $87,846 | 21% |
| Athens, GA | $75,900 | 570 | $81,313 | 28% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $75,860 | 2,110 | $75,856 | 30% |
| Gainesville, FL | $75,820 | 1,010 | $78,381 | 26% |
| Billings, MT | $75,780 | 790 | $81,026 | 22% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $75,780 | 190 | $84,914 | 20% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $75,750 | 370 | $85,752 | 29% |
| Provo, UT | $75,700 | 3,020 | $77,062 | 28% |
| Sherman, TX | $75,650 | 260 | $80,675 | 22% |
| Bangor, ME | $75,640 | 400 | $78,377 | 24% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $75,580 | 1,070 | $81,557 | 23% |
| Reading, PA | $75,550 | 1,230 | $77,838 | 25% |
| Muskegon, MI | $75,480 | 300 | $81,583 | 20% |
| Abilene, TX | $75,410 | 550 | $83,451 | 32% |
| Knoxville, TN | $75,380 | 3,240 | $81,431 | 27% |
| Rockford, IL | $75,260 | 850 | $81,668 | 21% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $75,250 | 1,640 | $81,288 | 20% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $75,250 | 660 | $79,908 | 26% |
| Gainesville, GA | $75,200 | 750 | $77,713 | 27% |
| York, PA | $75,160 | 1,400 | $78,292 | 22% |
| Greenville, NC | $75,140 | 550 | $84,998 | 23% |
| Niles, MI | $75,140 | 400 | $81,347 | 22% |
| Iowa City, IA | $75,100 | 790 | $82,068 | 28% |
| Brunswick, GA | $75,060 | 270 | $85,579 | 27% |
| Longview, TX | $75,060 | 690 | $83,880 | 18% |
| Montgomery, AL | $75,040 | 2,530 | $83,673 | 22% |
| Goldsboro, NC | $75,000 | 230 | $84,782 | 24% |
| Honolulu, HI | $74,990 | 3,590 | $67,582 | 48% |
| Macon, GA | $74,870 | 640 | $84,572 | 19% |
| Traverse City, MI | $74,820 | 610 | $80,131 | 30% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $74,800 | 490 | $80,682 | 27% |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $74,800 | 400 | $74,409 | 30% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $74,740 | 440 | $86,242 | 18% |
| Rome, GA | $74,640 | 240 | $82,785 | 20% |
| Houma, LA | $74,620 | 480 | $87,682 | 21% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $74,520 | 850 | $79,580 | 28% |
| Flint, MI | $74,500 | 860 | $80,078 | 17% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $74,410 | 420 | $78,814 | 23% |
| Lubbock, TX | $74,390 | 960 | $81,463 | 21% |
| Ocala, FL | $74,370 | 730 | $78,092 | 26% |
| Sandusky, OH | $74,360 | 260 | $83,288 | 29% |
| Victoria, TX | $74,270 | 230 | $82,670 | 19% |
| Lebanon, PA | $74,190 | 330 | $79,591 | 24% |
| Dubuque, IA | $74,140 | 450 | $84,898 | 17% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $74,050 | 700 | $76,743 | 25% |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $74,020 | 250 | $81,725 | 21% |
| Albany, GA | $73,980 | 390 | $84,386 | 17% |
| Monroe, LA | $73,840 | 510 | $88,329 | 19% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $73,740 | 360 | $80,078 | 26% |
| Deltona, FL | $73,730 | 1,390 | $74,200 | 29% |
| Paducah, KY | $73,650 | 280 | $85,556 | 19% |
| Columbus, GA | $73,640 | 840 | $82,467 | 22% |
| Waterloo, IA | $73,530 | 540 | $84,462 | 17% |
| Minot, ND | $73,510 | 310 | $84,467 | 20% |
| Valdosta, GA | $73,420 | 310 | $83,176 | 22% |
| Bay City, MI | $73,320 | 260 | $79,764 | 17% |
| Killeen, TX | $73,270 | 730 | $80,400 | 21% |
| Youngstown, OH | $73,080 | 1,150 | $83,621 | 17% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $73,070 | 3,410 | $80,491 | 22% |
| Columbia, MO | $73,070 | 930 | $81,699 | 24% |
| State College, PA | $73,040 | 460 | $75,484 | 32% |
| Springfield, MO | $73,020 | 2,070 | $82,429 | 21% |
| Lima, OH | $72,980 | 300 | $81,388 | 20% |
| Missoula, MT | $72,920 | 600 | $75,608 | 27% |
| Tyler, TX | $72,900 | 800 | $79,105 | 22% |
| Morristown, TN | $72,810 | 240 | $84,306 | 26% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $72,780 | 620 | $73,689 | 32% |
| Clarksville, TN | $72,760 | 510 | $80,003 | 22% |
| Dover, DE | $72,730 | 710 | $74,590 | 29% |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $72,600 | 200 | $77,674 | 29% |
| Auburn, AL | $72,570 | 680 | $82,529 | 26% |
| Joplin, MO | $72,560 | 560 | $84,650 | 21% |
| Michigan City, IN | $72,550 | 310 | $79,132 | 20% |
| Great Falls, MT | $72,510 | 280 | $74,872 | 24% |
| Slidell, LA | $72,490 | 770 | $78,177 | – |
| Canton, OH | $72,170 | 1,100 | $80,722 | 19% |
| Mobile, AL | $72,130 | 2,010 | $81,875 | 21% |
| Beckley, WV | $72,120 | 220 | $81,612 | 17% |
| Wheeling, WV | $72,110 | 380 | $81,644 | 14% |
| Gettysburg, PA | $72,080 | 230 | $75,572 | 23% |
| Florence, SC | $72,040 | 470 | $83,020 | 25% |
| Decatur, AL | $72,030 | 530 | $82,592 | 18% |
| Logan, UT | $71,990 | 520 | $75,047 | 24% |
| Jackson, TN | $71,980 | 520 | $84,165 | 23% |
| San Angelo, TX | $71,950 | 360 | $77,823 | 22% |
| Cleveland, TN | $71,840 | 180 | $81,562 | 24% |
| Muncie, IN | $71,820 | 270 | $81,477 | 17% |
| Panama City, FL | $71,820 | 560 | $73,816 | 29% |
| College Station, TX | $71,810 | 810 | $78,955 | 25% |
| Morgantown, WV | $71,740 | 490 | $76,873 | 23% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $71,690 | 960 | $81,724 | 28% |
| Kankakee, IL | $71,610 | 210 | $74,289 | 22% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $71,540 | 390 | $79,331 | 20% |
| Lawton, OK | $71,520 | 280 | $83,220 | 19% |
| Sebring, FL | $71,490 | 150 | $77,312 | 25% |
| Weirton, WV | $71,490 | 200 | $80,304 | 14% |
| Springfield, OH | $71,420 | 270 | $78,933 | 20% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $71,230 | 380 | $72,467 | 31% |
| Daphne, AL | $71,230 | 820 | $75,224 | 29% |
| Huntington, WV | $70,840 | 850 | $80,116 | 18% |
| Jackson, MS | $70,720 | 2,590 | $79,418 | 25% |
| St. George, UT | $70,530 | 530 | $72,472 | 31% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $70,490 | 370 | $74,481 | 23% |
| Scranton, PA | $70,480 | 1,640 | $75,335 | 23% |
| Shreveport, LA | $70,420 | 1,250 | $83,076 | 22% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $70,050 | 600 | $81,594 | 23% |
| Erie, PA | $70,000 | 970 | $76,965 | 19% |
| Williamsport, PA | $69,880 | 340 | $75,669 | 19% |
| Johnstown, PA | $69,870 | 380 | $81,311 | 15% |
| Champaign, IL | $69,670 | 730 | $75,153 | 24% |
| Texarkana, TX | $69,440 | 320 | $82,655 | 22% |
| Columbia, SC | $69,210 | 3,260 | $73,893 | 27% |
| Enid, OK | $68,710 | 160 | $81,537 | 19% |
| Grand Island, NE | $68,090 | 300 | $78,574 | 24% |
| Hinesville, GA | $67,800 | 80 | $72,179 | 31% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $67,780 | 280 | $72,031 | 27% |
| Lafayette, LA | $67,630 | 1,100 | $77,549 | 25% |
| Florence, AL | $67,600 | 460 | $79,701 | 19% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $67,480 | 340 | $78,118 | 18% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $67,470 | 480 | $74,790 | 26% |
| Dothan, AL | $67,330 | 610 | $80,314 | 22% |
| Mansfield, OH | $67,280 | 260 | $75,704 | 16% |
| Charleston, WV | $66,560 | 890 | $75,025 | 22% |
| Brownsville, TX | $66,440 | 690 | $77,278 | 27% |
| Anniston, AL | $66,260 | 340 | $77,092 | 17% |
| Hammond, LA | $66,090 | 250 | $78,250 | 24% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $66,000 | 320 | $76,855 | 22% |
| El Paso, TX | $65,990 | 2,120 | $73,394 | 28% |
| Eagle Pass, TX | $65,900 | 80 | $78,635 | 21% |
| Manhattan, KS | $65,900 | 470 | $73,091 | 23% |
| Little Rock, AR | $65,810 | 2,620 | $73,643 | 23% |
| Altoona, PA | $65,690 | 490 | $73,391 | 18% |
| Pocatello, ID | $65,330 | 170 | $73,482 | 20% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $65,320 | 350 | $74,538 | 24% |
| Lincoln, NE | $65,170 | 2,130 | $71,161 | 24% |
| Johnson City, TN | $64,710 | 510 | $73,594 | 28% |
| Alexandria, LA | $64,530 | 400 | $75,310 | 19% |
| McAllen, TX | $64,470 | 1,430 | $75,057 | 21% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $64,040 | 1,120 | $72,793 | 19% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $64,010 | 320 | $74,363 | 19% |
| Twin Falls, ID | $63,460 | 180 | $68,897 | 29% |
| Laredo, TX | $63,410 | 510 | $72,922 | 21% |
| Gadsden, AL | $63,250 | 280 | $73,844 | 20% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $63,170 | 510 | $71,950 | 19% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $62,990 | 520 | $73,340 | 20% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $61,840 | 2,450 | $65,844 | 29% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $59,770 | 190 | $69,719 | 25% |
What the median accountant salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $83,680 |
| Month | $6,973 |
| Every two weeks | $3,218 |
| Week | $1,609 |
| Hour | $40.23 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming an accountant: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +5.0% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 115,300 |
| Self-employed | 5.5% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Loan officer | $76,690 | Bachelor's degree |
| Financial advisor | $105,070 | Bachelor's degree |
| Project manager | $102,320 | Bachelor's degree |
| Financial analyst | $102,740 | Bachelor's degree |
| HR specialist | $75,940 | Bachelor's degree |
| Management consultant | $101,860 | Bachelor's degree |
| Claims adjuster | $78,000 | High school diploma |
| Market research analyst | $78,760 | Bachelor's degree |
Questions about accountant pay
How much does an accountant make an hour?
The median is $40.23 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $26.93 and the top 10% over $69.27.
How much does an accountant make a month?
About $6,973 a month before taxes at the median salary of $83,680, or $3,218 every two weeks.
What state pays accountants the most?
The District of Columbia, with a median of $111,530. New York ($102,640), New Jersey ($100,830), Massachusetts ($99,460) and Connecticut ($97,550) follow.
Where do accountants make the most after cost of living?
The District of Columbia: its median of $111,530 is worth $101,482 at typical US prices. Delaware, New York and Colorado come next.
How much do entry-level accountants make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of accountants earn under $56,020 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $67,020, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become an accountant?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 13-2011 (Accountants and Auditors). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.