Business & Finance

Accountant Salary

Accountants prepare and examine financial records, ensure tax compliance, and provide financial planning advice. They help organizations maintain accurate financial reporting.

Median Salary
$79,880
Mean Salary
$86,080
Total Employed
1,538,400
Job Growth
+4%

Accountant Salary by Experience Level

Entry-level accountants earn around $52,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $80,000. Senior-level accountants can earn $120,000 or more.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$52,000
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$80,000
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$120,000

Salary Percentile Breakdown

The salary range for accountants varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $50,400, while the top 10% earn $132,800.

Percentile Annual Salary
10th Percentile $50,400
25th Percentile $62,700
50th Percentile (Median) $79,880
75th Percentile $102,400
90th Percentile $132,800

Accountant Salary by State

Accountant salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $135,796, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $66,300.

State Median
#1 Hawaii $135,796 Details →
#2 Massachusetts $113,430 Details →
#3 California $110,234 Details →
#4 New York $107,039 Details →
#5 Alaska $99,051 Details →
#6 New Jersey $98,252 Details →
#7 Connecticut $95,856 Details →
#8 Maryland $91,862 Details →
#9 Washington $91,862 Details →
#10 Oregon $87,868 Details →
#11 Virginia $87,069 Details →
#12 New Hampshire $85,472 Details →
#13 Rhode Island $85,472 Details →
#14 Delaware $84,673 Details →
#15 Colorado $83,874 Details →
#16 Illinois $80,679 Details →
#17 Vermont $80,679 Details →
#18 Pennsylvania $79,880 Details →
#19 Minnesota $79,081 Details →
#20 Florida $78,282 Details →
#21 Maine $78,282 Details →
#22 Arizona $77,484 Details →
#23 Nevada $77,484 Details →
#24 Utah $77,484 Details →
#25 Georgia $75,886 Details →
#26 Montana $75,886 Details →
#27 North Carolina $75,886 Details →
#28 Idaho $75,087 Details →
#29 New Mexico $74,288 Details →
#30 Nebraska $73,490 Details →
#31 Texas $73,490 Details →
#32 Wisconsin $73,490 Details →
#33 Wyoming $73,490 Details →
#34 Louisiana $72,691 Details →
#35 Indiana $71,892 Details →
#36 Michigan $71,892 Details →
#37 North Dakota $71,892 Details →
#38 Ohio $71,892 Details →
#39 Iowa $71,093 Details →
#40 South Carolina $71,093 Details →
#41 Tennessee $71,093 Details →
#42 Missouri $70,294 Details →
#43 South Dakota $70,294 Details →
#44 Alabama $69,496 Details →
#45 Kansas $69,496 Details →
#46 Kentucky $69,496 Details →
#47 Oklahoma $68,697 Details →
#48 Arkansas $67,099 Details →
#49 West Virginia $67,099 Details →
#50 Mississippi $66,300 Details →

Key Responsibilities

  • Prepare and examine financial statements and reports
  • Ensure compliance with tax laws and regulations
  • Analyze financial data and identify trends
  • Manage accounts payable, receivable, and general ledger
  • Advise on financial planning and cost reduction strategies

Top Skills

GAAP Tax Preparation Financial Analysis QuickBooks Excel Auditing

Education Required

Bachelor's degree

Job Outlook

As fast as average — projected 4% growth over the next decade