Auditor Salary in 2026
Auditors examine financial statements, internal controls, and business processes to ensure accuracy, compliance, and efficiency. They identify risks and recommend improvements.
Median Salary
$83,680
$6,973/mo
Entry Level
$58,200
starting pay
Senior Level
$107,200
experienced
Job Growth
+6%
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.
Auditor Overview
Auditors examine financial statements, internal controls, and business processes to ensure accuracy, compliance, and efficiency. They identify risks and recommend improvements.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Finance
Total Jobs (US)
1.4M
5-Year Growth
+13%
Category
Finance
Hourly Rate
$40.23/hr
Monthly Pay
$6,973
Auditor Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Auditor salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Auditor Salary
$91,000
$7,583/month · $3,500/biweekly · $43.75/hr
Auditor Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Auditor field.
Entry-level Auditors earn around $58,200, while the top 10% earn $124,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Auditors
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $99,000 | +$15,320 |
| New York | $96,000 | +$12,320 |
| Virginia | $89,000 | +$5,320 |
| Illinois | $87,000 | +$3,320 |
| Texas | $82,000 | $-1,680 |
Top Paying Cities for Auditors
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New YorkBLS metro | $105,650 | +$21,970 |
| Washington DC | $96,000 | +$12,320 |
| Los AngelesBLS metro | $94,360 | +$10,680 |
| DallasBLS metro | $82,620 | $-1,060 |
| 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 (4 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Auditor Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Auditor.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Auditor Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Auditor from entry level to expert.
$58,200
0-2 years
$83,000
3-7 years
$107,200
8-14 years
$140,800
15+ years
Related Finance Jobs
Auditor Salary FAQ
How much does a Auditor make in 2026?
The median salary for a Auditor 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 $58,200, senior professionals around $107,200, and top earners at $140,800 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Auditor?
A Auditor typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 2-4 years of experience. Key skills include Internal Auditing, Risk Assessment, SOX Compliance. Relevant certifications such as CIA or CPA can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Auditors?
The job market for Auditors is projected to grow by 6% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 1.4M Auditor positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 13%, reflecting steady demand for this role.
Which states pay Auditors the most?
The highest-paying states for Auditors 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 Auditor salary?
To increase your Auditor salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Internal Auditing and Risk Assessment. Pursue certifications such as CIA. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 2-4 years of experience, you can progress from $58,200 to $107,200 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Auditor Salary
How we calculate Auditor 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 ($58,200) and senior-level ($107,200) 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: +6% 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: 13% 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 Auditor compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Auditor 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: Auditor salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Internal Auditing, Risk Assessment, SOX Compliance), 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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