Accountant Salary: $80,288 Average (2026)
2026 DataCompare accountant salaries across 50 US cities. Pay ranges from $66,073 to $108,908.
Highest Paying Cities for Accountants
Average Salary
$80,288
across all locations
Highest Paying
$108,908
San Jose, CA
Locations Covered
50
metro areas
Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Accountants
See which cities pay Accountants the most, from $108,908 down to the #10 spot.
Accountant Salary Comparison by Metro
Top 10 highest paying metro areas compared to national average ($79,880)
| Rank | Metro Area | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | San Jose, CA | $108,908 |
| #2 | San Francisco, CA | $107,216 |
| #3 | Seattle, WA | $99,335 |
| #4 | Washington, DC | $93,261 |
| #5 | New York, NY | $93,064 |
| #6 | Boston, MA | $92,698 |
| #7 | Los Angeles, CA | $90,920 |
| #8 | San Diego, CA | $88,774 |
| #9 | Austin, TX | $86,238 |
| #10 | Portland, OR | $84,767 |
COL Adjusted = Salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher values indicate better purchasing power.
Accountant Salary by Experience Level
Average salary ranges across all 50 metro areas based on experience
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
Entry-Level 10th Percentile | $52,321 | $25.15/hr |
Mid-Career 50th (Median) | $80,288 | $38.60/hr |
Senior / Experienced 90th Percentile | $116,682 | $56.10/hr |
Entry to Mid Growth
+$27,967
+53%
Mid to Senior Growth
+$36,394
+45%
Total Career Growth
+$64,361
+123%
Accountant Salary by Location
| Location | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $108,908 | $52.36 | 1,360 |
| San Francisco, CA | $107,216 | $51.55 | 1,812 |
| Seattle, WA | $99,335 | $47.76 | 1,560 |
| Washington, DC | $93,261 | $44.84 | 1,611 |
| New York, NY | $93,064 | $44.74 | 2,690 |
| Boston, MA | $92,698 | $44.57 | 1,494 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $90,920 | $43.71 | 1,909 |
| San Diego, CA | $88,774 | $42.68 | 1,327 |
| Austin, TX | $86,238 | $41.46 | 1,156 |
| Portland, OR | $84,767 | $40.75 | 1,057 |
| Sacramento, CA | $84,001 | $40.39 | 1,022 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $83,738 | $40.26 | 1,376 |
| Denver, CO | $83,716 | $40.25 | 1,083 |
| Baltimore, MD | $82,680 | $39.75 | 1,262 |
| Miami, FL | $82,263 | $39.55 | 1,372 |
| Riverside, CA | $82,098 | $39.47 | 1,105 |
| Dallas, TX | $81,802 | $39.33 | 1,635 |
| Hartford, CT | $81,426 | $39.15 | 1,131 |
| Chicago, IL | $80,708 | $38.80 | 1,472 |
| Atlanta, GA | $80,538 | $38.72 | 1,341 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $80,530 | $38.72 | 1,345 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $80,312 | $38.61 | 1,066 |
| Raleigh, NC | $80,255 | $38.58 | 1,087 |
| Charlotte, NC | $79,521 | $38.23 | 1,254 |
| Houston, TX | $79,483 | $38.21 | 1,518 |
| Providence, RI | $79,310 | $38.13 | 1,194 |
| Columbus, OH | $77,712 | $37.36 | 1,378 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $77,681 | $37.35 | 1,368 |
| Richmond, VA | $77,625 | $37.32 | 1,210 |
| Nashville, TN | $76,500 | $36.78 | 1,082 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $75,734 | $36.41 | 1,199 |
| Detroit, MI | $75,710 | $36.40 | 1,254 |
| Orlando, FL | $75,639 | $36.36 | 1,095 |
| Kansas City, MO | $75,599 | $36.35 | 1,124 |
| St. Louis, MO | $74,962 | $36.04 | 1,322 |
| Tampa, FL | $74,785 | $35.95 | 1,268 |
| Louisville, KY | $74,692 | $35.91 | 1,353 |
| Cleveland, OH | $74,099 | $35.62 | 1,130 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $73,894 | $35.53 | 1,080 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $73,546 | $35.36 | 1,206 |
| New Orleans, LA | $73,540 | $35.36 | 1,338 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $73,061 | $35.13 | 1,168 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $72,750 | $34.98 | 1,249 |
| San Antonio, TX | $72,393 | $34.80 | 1,055 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $72,182 | $34.70 | 1,328 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $71,627 | $34.44 | 1,115 |
| Tucson, AZ | $69,775 | $33.55 | 1,117 |
| Birmingham, AL | $69,018 | $33.18 | 1,236 |
| Memphis, TN | $68,236 | $32.81 | 1,178 |
| El Paso, TX | $66,073 | $31.77 | 1,236 |
About Accountant Careers
Accountants are financial professionals who examine, analyze, and interpret financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulations. They prepare financial statements, tax returns, and help organizations make sound business decisions based on financial data. Accountants play a crucial role in maintaining the financial health of businesses, government agencies, and individuals.
Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the average accountant salary across all U.S. metropolitan areas is $80,288 per year. Salaries range from $66,073 in El Paso, TX to $108,908 in San Jose, CA, reflecting significant variation based on location, cost of living, and local demand. There are approximately 65,328 professionals employed as accountants across the metro areas we track.
What Does a Accountant Do?
Accountants perform a variety of essential duties in their daily work:
- Prepare and examine financial records, ensuring accuracy and legal compliance
- Compute taxes owed, prepare tax returns, and ensure prompt payment
- Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency and use of accepted accounting procedures
- Organize and maintain financial records
- Suggest ways to reduce costs, enhance revenues, and improve profits
- Provide auditing services for businesses and individuals
- Advise clients on financial decisions and tax planning strategies
Education Requirements
Most accountant positions require at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field. Many accountants pursue additional certifications such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) to advance their careers and increase earning potential.
Key Skills for Accountants
Factors That Affect Accountant Salary
Several factors influence how much a accountant earns:
Career Path & Advancement
Entry-level accountants typically start as staff accountants or junior auditors. With experience, they can advance to senior accountant, accounting manager, controller, and eventually Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Many accountants also transition to specialized roles in forensic accounting, tax consulting, or financial advising.
Job Outlook
Employment of accountants is projected to grow steadily as regulations become more complex and businesses continue to need financial expertise. The demand for accountants with expertise in data analytics, cloud computing, and forensic accounting is particularly strong.
Work Environment
Accountants typically work in office settings, though remote work has become increasingly common. During tax season and end-of-fiscal-year periods, accountants may work long hours to meet deadlines. Many accountants work for accounting firms, while others are employed directly by corporations, government agencies, or operate their own practices.
Career Prospects for Accountants
The job market for accountants continues to evolve with changing economic conditions and technological advancements. Professionals entering this field should be prepared for a dynamic career landscape that rewards adaptability and continuous skill development.
With approximately 65,328 accountants employed across the metropolitan areas we track, the profession offers substantial employment opportunities. Industry projections suggest steady demand driven by factors including technological innovation, demographic shifts, and evolving business needs.
Professionals who invest in specialized certifications, stay current with industry trends, and develop complementary skills in emerging technologies tend to command higher salaries and have better job security. Networking and maintaining strong professional relationships also play crucial roles in career advancement within this field.
Geographic Salary Variations for Accountants
Salary for accountants varies significantly by geographic location. The highest-paying metropolitan area, San Jose, CA, offers a median salary of $108,908, while the lowest in our data, El Paso, TX, pays approximately $66,073. This represents a salary difference of $42,835 (65% higher).
Cost of living is a critical factor when evaluating salaries across locations. Higher-paying metropolitan areas like San Francisco, New York, and Seattle typically have significantly higher housing costs, taxes, and general expenses. When considering relocation, calculate your potential take-home pay after accounting for local cost of living differences.
Regional demand also affects compensation. Areas with strong industries that heavily employ accountants often pay premium salaries to attract and retain talent. Conversely, regions with surplus labor or fewer industry concentrations may offer lower compensation. Remote work opportunities have begun to change these dynamics, allowing some professionals to earn higher salaries while living in lower-cost areas.
Advancement Opportunities for Accountants
Career advancement for accountants typically follows several paths. Technical advancement involves deepening expertise and specializing in high-demand niches, while management tracks offer opportunities to lead teams and oversee larger projects. Both paths can lead to significant salary increases over time.
Entry-level accountants can expect to progress from starting salaries around $44,333to the median salary of $80,288 within 3-5 years with solid performance and skill development. Top performers who reach senior levels can earn $154,620 or more, representing the top 10% of earners in this profession.
Professional development investments that typically yield the highest returns include industry certifications, advanced degrees, leadership training, and expertise in emerging technologies or methodologies. Professionals who consistently deliver results and build strong professional networks tend to advance more quickly and negotiate better compensation packages.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accountant Salaries
The average accountant salary across all U.S. metropolitan areas is $80,288 per year as of 2026. This is based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics data covering 50 metro areas. Salaries range from $66,073 in El Paso, TX to $108,908 in San Jose, CA.
The average hourly rate for accountants is $38.60 per hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Hourly rates vary by location, ranging from $31.77/hour in lower-paying areas to $52.36/hour in top-paying cities like San Jose.
San Jose, CA is the highest paying metro area for accountants, with a median salary of $108,908 per year. This is 36% above the national average of $80,288. Other high-paying areas typically include major tech hubs and cities with high costs of living.
Entry-level accountants (10th percentile) typically earn around $52,321 per year nationally. Starting salaries depend on education, certifications, location, and industry. Most entry-level professionals can expect to reach the median salary of $80,288 within 3-5 years of career growth.
The average accountant salary of $80,288 is 36% higher than the typical U.S. worker salary of approximately $59,228. Top earners in this profession (90th percentile) can make $116,682 or more annually.
El Paso, TX has the lowest accountant salary at $66,073 per year. However, lower salaries often correlate with lower costs of living, which can result in similar purchasing power. The salary difference between the highest and lowest paying areas is $42,835.
There are approximately 65,328 accountants employed across the 50 metropolitan areas tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This represents a substantial job market with opportunities in business & finance industries nationwide.
The biggest factors affecting accountant salary include: geographic location (salaries vary by up to $42,835 across cities), years of experience, industry sector, CPA certification typically increases salary by 10-15%, Industry specialization (healthcare, tech, finance) affects pay. Metropolitan areas with high industry demand and cost of living typically pay more.
In-demand skills that boost accountant salaries include: Strong analytical and mathematical abilities, Attention to detail and accuracy, Proficiency in accounting software (QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle), Knowledge of tax laws and financial regulations, Excellent communication skills for explaining complex financial information. CPA certification typically increases salary by 10-15% Developing specialized expertise can help you reach the top 25% of earners ($99,179).
Accountant salaries have generally kept pace with inflation, with the current average of $80,288 reflecting 2026 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The job outlook is positive, which typically supports continued salary growth. Professionals who develop in-demand skills and pursue certifications tend to see above-average salary increases.
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Data Freshness & Source
Current DataLast Updated
March 2027
Data Source
BLS 2026 OEWS
Next Update Expected
March 2027
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. This is the most comprehensive source of occupation-specific wage data in the United States.
About Our Salary Data
This salary data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2026 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. The BLS collects wage data from employers each May and publishes results the following spring. Our data reflects the most recent official government statistics available. The next BLS data release is expected in March 2027.
Accountant Salary by State
Compare accountant salaries across 31 states. Click a state for detailed city-by-city salary data.