Accountant Salary
Accountant - View salary data across all locations
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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accountant Salaries
What is the average accountant salary in the United States?
The average accountant salary across U.S. metropolitan areas is approximately $80,288 per year. However, salaries vary significantly by location, with some areas paying up to $108,908.
Where do accountants earn the most money?
San Jose, CA offers the highest average salary for accountants at $108,908 per year. Other high-paying areas can be found on our top paying cities for accountants page.
How can I increase my salary as a accountant?
To increase your earning potential as a accountant, consider gaining additional certifications, specializing in high-demand areas, relocating to higher-paying metropolitan areas, negotiating salary during job transitions, and continuously developing your skills. Experience and demonstrated results also significantly impact earning potential.
What is the hourly rate for accountants?
The average hourly rate for accountants is approximately $38.60 per hour (based on a standard 2,080-hour work year). Hourly rates range from $31.77 to $52.36 depending on location.