The average accountant salary USA figure for 2026 is around $90,780 per year — about $43.65 an hour — according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), with a median of $81,680. That’s roughly 65% above the typical American worker, but the headline hides a huge spread: the bottom 10% earn under $52,780 while the top 10% pull in more than $141,420. The single biggest reason for that gap? Three letters: CPA.
The CPA effect: one license that changes your salary
Anyone can call themselves an accountant, but becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is what unlocks the real money. Passing the CPA exam typically raises pay by 10–15% and opens doors to senior roles that non-certified accountants rarely reach — industry surveys report that 87% of hiring leaders pay more for a CPA, and many senior positions require it outright. An experienced CPA averages around $99,000, with top earners hitting $155,000+.
It’s one of the clearest “do this one thing, earn more” moves in any career. The exam is tough and requirements vary by state, but the payoff compounds over an entire working life.
Accountant salary by experience level
Pay rises sharply as you gain experience and move up the ladder:
- Entry level (0–2 years) — around $60,000–$64,000. Staff accountant and junior roles.
- Mid-career — $75,000–$110,000, especially with a CPA credential.
- Senior accountant — around $94,750 (national midpoint).
- Audit / assurance manager — around $113,500.
- Controller / financial manager / CFO track — the top tier, with controllers at $152,000–$213,000 and CFOs well beyond.
Accountant Salary USA: Pay by State
Location has a big impact on the accountant salary USA average. The top-paying states — driven by big financial hubs and high cost of living — pay roughly $40,000 more than the lowest:
| State | Average salary | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $105,000 | $50.48 |
| New York | $101,000 | $48.56 |
| New Jersey | $98,000 | $47.12 |
| California | $96,000 | $46.15 |
| Virginia | $92,000 | $44.23 |
| Massachusetts | $90,000 | $43.27 |
| Texas | $85,000 | $40.87 |
| Florida | $78,000 | $37.50 |
| Mississippi | $67,000 | $32.21 |
| West Virginia | $65,000 | $31.25 |
The pattern is familiar: Washington D.C., the New York metro area, and California lead the way, while much of the South and Appalachia sits well below the national average. That said, states like Texas and Colorado offer some of the best salary-to-cost-of-living ratios, so the highest gross pay isn’t always the highest real pay.
What else affects the accountant salary USA figure
- Industry — finance and insurance pay the most; tech, media and manufacturing also pay above average.
- Firm size — the “Big Four” (Deloitte, EY, PwC, KPMG) and large corporations pay more at entry level, though industry roles often catch up by mid-career.
- Specialization — forensic accounting (~$110,000 midpoint), financial management and tax advisory command premium salaries.
- Extra credentials — adding a CFP, CMA or CFA on top of a CPA pushes earnings higher still.
The accountant shortage is pushing pay up
There’s a structural tailwind behind these numbers. Accounting graduates hit a 20-year low in 2023–24 while demand stayed strong, and a wave of retirements is thinning the profession further. Fewer new CPAs plus steady demand means employers are competing harder for qualified staff — pushing salaries up fastest at the entry and mid-career levels where talent is scarcest. Robert Half projects tax, audit and assurance pay rising nearly twice as fast as the wider finance average in 2026. For anyone entering the field now, that shortage translates into unusual negotiating leverage.
Is becoming an accountant worth it?
For a stable, recession-resistant career with a clear path to six figures, accounting is one of the safest bets in the USA. Demand is steady — the BLS projects 5% growth and roughly 124,200 openings a year — the skills transfer across every industry, and the CPA license gives you a reliable lever to raise your income. The trade-offs are a demanding exam and busy seasons that can mean long hours. But every company, in every industry, needs someone to manage its money, which makes accounting one of the most portable and future-proof professions in the country.
Frequently asked questions
How much do accountants make an hour in the USA?
The average is about $43.65 an hour in 2026, ranging from roughly $25/hour at entry level to well over $60/hour for senior CPAs in top-paying states.
Do CPAs earn more than regular accountants?
Yes. CPAs earn roughly 10–15% more on average than non-certified accountants, and the gap widens at senior levels where most high-paying roles require the license.
What’s the highest-paying state for accountants?
Washington D.C. and New York lead, with average accountant salaries around $100,000+, followed by New Jersey and California.
Want the bigger picture? See our full breakdown of the average salary in the USA, or check official figures at the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
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