Accountant Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$82,000
national median salary
$65,000 to $106,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $83,680 for Accountants and Auditors (SOC 13-2011) across the United States, based on 1,449,500 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$56,020
25th percentile
$67,020
Median
$83,680
75th percentile
$109,810
90th percentile
$144,090
Workers surveyed
1,449,500
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$81,680
May 2025 release
$83,680
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Accountants and Auditors (SOC 13-2011) rather than Accountantspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 13-2011Highest Paying
$112,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$86,000
Minneapolis, MN
Lowest Paying
$61,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 13-2011. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Accountant salary in the United States at $82,000 in 2026, within a range of $65,000 to $106,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Francisco is the highest of the 81 cities at $112,000, while Minneapolis offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. CPA licensure, industry specialization, and company size are the biggest factors.
Accountant salary by city.
Skills that increase Accountant pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Accountants based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $11,480 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$11,480 per year
≈ +$10,660 per year
≈ +$9,840 per year
≈ +$9,020 per year
≈ +$9,020 per year
≈ +$8,200 per year
≈ +$8,200 per year
≈ +$7,380 per year
What you should know.
CPA licensure, industry specialization, and company size are the biggest factors. Public accounting at Big Four firms pays well at entry but demands long hours. Corporate accountants in tech and finance earn 10 to 20% more than those in other industries. Experience with complex areas like international tax, M&A, or revenue recognition commands premiums.
Staff accountants start at $52,000 to $68,000, advancing to senior accountant at $70,000 to $90,000 in two to three years. Accounting managers earn $90,000 to $120,000. Controllers reach $130,000 to $175,000, and CFOs at mid size companies earn $200,000 to $350,000. Public accounting partnership offers the highest ceiling.
Bonuses of 5 to 15% are typical in corporate roles, rising to 15 to 25%+ in public accounting at manager level. Benefits include CPA exam reimbursement, busy season bonuses, and in public firms, a path to partnership with profit sharing. Tech companies add equity grants of $5,000 to $25,000.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Accountants typically earn $74,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Accountant pay.
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