Question 1

How much does a Accountant make?

Accepted Answer

The national median salary for a Accountant is $83,680, with a typical range from $56,020 (entry level, 10th percentile) to $144,090 (top earners, 90th percentile). Actual pay varies by city, industry, employer size, and experience.

Question 2

What is the entry-level salary for a Accountant?

Accepted Answer

Entry-level Accountant positions typically pay around $56,020 to $65,270, depending on metro, industry, and degree. New graduates can expect the lower end of this range; those with relevant internships or in-demand specializations often start higher.

Question 3

How much does a senior Accountant earn?

Accepted Answer

Senior Accountant professionals earn approximately $112,968 on average, with top performers and those at large employers exceeding $144,090. Senior pay is driven by scope, leadership, technical depth, and employer choice.

Question 4

Which cities pay the most for a Accountant?

Accepted Answer

Accountant pay is highest in major metros — typically San Francisco, New York, Seattle, Boston, Toronto, and Vancouver. After adjusting for cost of living, however, mid-tier metros often deliver higher purchasing power. Use the SalaryScope city tools to compare apples-to-apples.

Question 5

What education is required to become a Accountant?

Accepted Answer

The typical education path for a Accountant is Bachelor's degree. Relevant certifications, portfolios, and demonstrated skills can sometimes substitute for traditional credentials, especially in technical and trades roles.

Question 6

Is Accountant a growing career?

Accepted Answer

The 10-year employment outlook for Accountant is rated Average. SalaryScope combines federal projections with industry, automation-risk, and demand signals to produce a more precise Workforce Opportunity Score for this role.

Question 7

How can I increase my pay as a Accountant?

Accepted Answer

The highest-leverage ways to increase your Accountant pay are: (1) developing in-demand specializations that command a premium, (2) earning ROI-positive certifications, (3) switching employers strategically every 3-5 years, (4) negotiating every offer and review, and (5) considering geographic moves to higher-pay or lower-cost metros.

Question 8

What is the total compensation for a Accountant?

Accepted Answer

Total compensation for a Accountant includes base salary ($83,680 at median), an annual bonus (typically 5-25% of base), and at many employers equity (RSUs or options). Total comp can range from 1.05x to 1.5x of base depending on industry, level, and employer.

Percentile	What it means	Salary
10th percentile	1 in 10 earn less than this	$56,020
25th percentile	1 in 4 earn less than this	$67,020
Median	Half earn more, half earn less	$83,680
75th percentile	1 in 4 earn more than this	$109,810
90th percentile	1 in 10 earn more than this	$144,090

City	COL	Median	p90
New York, NY	187	$105,650	$174,750
Los Angeles, CA	176	$94,360	$154,630
Chicago, IL	107	$82,360	$134,100
Houston, TX	96	$85,090	$144,190
Phoenix, AZ	104	$80,820	$129,170
Philadelphia, PA	101	$85,990	$139,420
San Antonio, TX	90	$78,650	$127,640
San Diego, CA	160	$96,340	$157,720
Dallas, TX	103	$82,620	$133,540
San Jose, CA	202	$121,700	$196,890
Austin, TX	119	$83,120	$130,130
Jacksonville, FL	93	$79,960	$130,620

Education level	Estimated salary	vs Bachelor's
High School	$59,000	-30%
Associate Degree	$69,000	-18%
Bachelor's Degree	$84,000	—
Master's Degree	$105,000	25%
Doctorate / Professional	$130,000	55%
Professional Certifications	$94,000	12%

Accountant — Career & Salary Intelligence

Career overview

What the job pays nationally

Salary by location

Salary by education

10-year career growth forecast

Certifications that increase earnings

Career Opportunity Score breakdown

Frequently asked questions about Accountant