Accountant Salary in 2026
Accountants prepare and examine financial records, ensure tax compliance, and provide advisory services. They work in public accounting, corporate finance, and government agencies.
Median Salary
$83,680
$6,973/mo
Entry Level
$57,600
starting pay
Senior Level
$111,900
experienced
Job Growth
+4%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Accountants and Auditors (SOC 13-2011) at a national median of $83,680 per year (mean $94,750), or $40.23 per hour, with 1,449,500 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Accountant Overview
Accountants prepare and examine financial records, ensure tax compliance, and provide advisory services. They work in public accounting, corporate finance, and government agencies.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
1-3 years
Industry
Finance
Total Jobs (US)
1.4M
5-Year Growth
+14%
Category
Finance
Hourly Rate
$40.23/hr
Monthly Pay
$6,973
Local evidence pages
High-intent Accountant salary checks
These pages answer location-specific searches where a national median is not enough. Use them when the question is about an exact city posting, local credential path, or city-specific salary range.
Accountant Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Accountant salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Accountant Salary
$93,000
$7,750/month · $3,577/biweekly · $44.71/hr
Accountant Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Accountant field.
Entry-level Accountants earn around $57,600, while the top 10% earn $126,050 or more.
Top Paying States for Accountants
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $99,000 | +$15,320 |
| New York | $96,000 | +$12,320 |
| Illinois | $87,000 | +$3,320 |
| Pennsylvania | $84,000 | +$320 |
| Texas | $82,000 | $-1,680 |
Top Paying Cities for Accountants
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New YorkBLS metro | $105,650 | +$21,970 |
| Los AngelesBLS metro | $94,360 | +$10,680 |
| PhiladelphiaBLS metro | $85,990 | +$2,310 |
| HoustonBLS metro | $85,090 | +$1,410 |
| ChicagoBLS metro | $82,360 | $-1,320 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Accountants and Auditors in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Accountant Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Accountant from entry level to expert.
$57,600
0-2 years
$85,000
3-7 years
$111,900
8-14 years
$140,200
15+ years
Related Finance Jobs
Accountant Salary FAQ
How much does a Accountant make in 2026?
The median salary for a Accountant in the United States is $83,680 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Accountants and Auditors (SOC 13-2011); the mean is $94,750. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $57,600, senior professionals around $111,900, and top earners at $140,200 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Accountant?
A Accountant typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 1-3 years of experience. Key skills include GAAP, QuickBooks, Tax Preparation. Relevant certifications such as CPA or CMA can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Accountants?
The job market for Accountants is projected to grow by 4% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 1.4M Accountant positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 14%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Accountants the most?
The highest-paying states for Accountants include New York, California, Texas. In New York, the median salary is approximately $96,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Accountant salary?
To increase your Accountant salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like GAAP and QuickBooks. Pursue certifications such as CPA. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 1-3 years of experience, you can progress from $57,600 to $111,900 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Accountant Salary
How we calculate Accountant salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Accountants and Auditors (SOC 13-2011), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $83,680, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Accountants and Auditors; BLS mean $94,750; BLS hourly median $40.23.
- Entry-level ($57,600) and senior-level ($111,900) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +4% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 1,449,500 Accountants and Auditors jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 14% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Finance sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $83,680; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Accountant compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Accountant job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Finance
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Accountant salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (GAAP, QuickBooks, Tax Preparation), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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