Accountant and Auditor Salary
Accountants and Auditors earn a median $83,680 a year nationally. Business and Financial Operations Occupations
U.S. median
$83,680
$40.23 per hour
Range
$56,020 – $144,090
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
1,449,500
across the U.S.
▲2.4%
Pay trend: The median for accountants and auditors in the U.S. rose from $81,680 (May 2024) to $83,680 (May 2025). That roughly kept pace with inflation (2.4%).
What accountants and auditors do
Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.0% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 115,300
- Self-employed
- 6%
Employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 5.0% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 115,300 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Accountant and Auditor take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$67,699
per year · effective tax rate 19.1%
$5,642Monthly
$2,821Twice a month
$2,604Every 2 weeks
$32.55Hourly
- Federal income tax$9,580
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,188
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,213
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$67,699
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,020 | $26.93 | $47,192 |
| 25th percentile | $67,020 | $32.22 | $55,979 |
| Median (50th) | $83,680 | $40.23 | $67,699 |
| 75th percentile | $109,810 | $52.79 | $86,081 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $144,090 | $69.27 | $109,752 |
Best cities for accountants and auditors (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $121,700 | $85,775 | $77,679 | 13,180 |
| 2 | Charlotte, NC | $92,910 | $70,994 | $72,928 | 16,820 |
| 3 | Sioux Falls, SD | $80,920 | $65,757 | $72,555 | 2,370 |
| 4 | Trenton, NJ | $99,550 | $74,712 | $72,409 | 2,890 |
| 5 | Boulder, CO | $99,990 | $75,482 | $71,749 | 2,380 |
| 6 | Bridgeport, CT | $102,020 | $76,565 | $71,647 | 5,000 |
| 7 | Providence, RI | $95,020 | $72,730 | $71,463 | 8,250 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $100,020 | $75,502 | $71,375 | 22,720 |
| 9 | Seattle, WA | $99,370 | $78,737 | $70,849 | 22,100 |
| 10 | Hartford, CT | $95,940 | $72,622 | $70,681 | 6,780 |
| 11 | Tulsa, OK | $81,320 | $62,925 | $70,532 | 5,110 |
| 12 | Houston, TX | $85,090 | $68,691 | $69,646 | 28,400 |
| 13 | New York, NY | $105,650 | $77,962 | $69,260 | 111,930 |
| 14 | Washington, DC | $102,140 | $74,972 | $68,855 | 41,470 |
| 15 | Boston, MA | $100,150 | $74,498 | $68,810 | 37,150 |
| 16 | Worcester, MA | $94,070 | $70,525 | $68,789 | 3,090 |
| 17 | Austin, TX | $83,120 | $67,305 | $68,632 | 12,480 |
| 18 | Wichita, KS | $79,270 | $60,973 | $68,550 | 3,120 |
| 19 | San Francisco, CA | $110,730 | $79,221 | $68,522 | 25,170 |
| 20 | Memphis, TN | $76,960 | $62,971 | $68,314 | 4,390 |
| 21 | Dayton, OH | $79,030 | $63,037 | $68,005 | 2,640 |
| 22 | Columbus, OH | $81,700 | $64,842 | $67,919 | 11,410 |
| 23 | Des Moines, IA | $79,290 | $62,249 | $67,883 | 4,850 |
| 24 | Cleveland, OH | $80,000 | $63,692 | $67,813 | 10,740 |
| 25 | San Antonio, TX | $78,650 | $64,160 | $67,740 | 8,360 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- San Jose, CA — $121,700
- San Francisco, CA — $110,730
- New York, NY — $105,650
- Washington, DC — $102,140
- Bridgeport, CT — $102,020
- Boston, MA — $100,150
- Denver, CO — $100,020
- Boulder, CO — $99,990
- Trenton, NJ — $99,550
- Seattle, WA — $99,370
- San Diego, CA — $96,340
- Hartford, CT — $95,940
- Providence, RI — $95,020
- Los Angeles, CA — $94,360
- Worcester, MA — $94,070
Accountant and Auditor salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,530 | +8.3% | $80,780 | $71,470 – $185,220 | 9,810 |
| New York | $102,640 | +0.8% | $76,022 | $63,700 – $171,030 | 109,830 |
| New Jersey | $100,830 | −0.5% | $75,531 | $65,710 – $167,080 | 42,250 |
| Massachusetts | $99,460 | +3.0% | $74,047 | $70,460 – $160,100 | 46,230 |
| Connecticut | $97,550 | +8.8% | $73,666 | $64,230 – $156,670 | 16,770 |
| California | $97,050 | +0.7% | $71,047 | $61,770 – $160,520 | 175,360 |
| Colorado | $97,030 | +7.8% | $73,530 | $60,760 – $162,160 | 35,410 |
| Washington | $96,550 | +0.4% | $76,753 | $66,330 – $152,310 | 34,740 |
| Rhode Island | $95,820 | +6.4% | $73,263 | $59,920 – $150,320 | 6,570 |
| Delaware | $95,020 | +12.4% | $70,746 | $60,500 – $132,550 | 6,570 |
| Virginia | $93,290 | +10.8% | $69,909 | $60,000 – $156,730 | 47,100 |
| Maryland | $89,370 | +5.3% | $67,820 | $59,760 – $156,660 | 26,170 |
| Oregon | $85,800 | +5.8% | $62,512 | $62,590 – $130,650 | 14,920 |
| New Hampshire | $83,470 | +0.8% | $67,551 | $59,920 – $131,110 | 7,000 |
| Alaska | $83,460 | +1.8% | $67,544 | $57,690 – $125,810 | 2,190 |
| North Carolina | $82,050 | +1.9% | $63,787 | $53,610 – $146,100 | 49,270 |
| Georgia | $81,900 | +2.2% | $62,819 | $51,830 – $145,960 | 44,020 |
| Minnesota | $81,600 | +0.6% | $62,210 | $58,280 – $138,960 | 30,530 |
| Nevada | $81,600 | +4.3% | $66,236 | $58,630 – $128,760 | 6,930 |
| Texas | $80,920 | +1.1% | $65,757 | $53,380 – $132,040 | 116,470 |
| Illinois | $80,230 | +1.2% | $61,445 | $54,510 – $131,990 | 54,930 |
| Utah | $79,990 | +6.5% | $62,469 | $48,770 – $131,590 | 15,490 |
| Arizona | $79,970 | +1.7% | $63,298 | $55,430 – $128,890 | 27,410 |
| Wisconsin | $79,400 | +1.6% | $61,860 | $58,340 – $127,800 | 25,100 |
| Oklahoma | $79,370 | +3.3% | $61,641 | $47,670 – $155,480 | 16,720 |
| Ohio | $79,320 | +2.2% | $63,233 | $52,140 – $131,400 | 50,440 |
| Florida | $79,250 | +1.0% | $64,582 | $50,280 – $131,930 | 91,000 |
| Kansas | $79,000 | +3.4% | $60,798 | $52,960 – $129,800 | 13,610 |
| Pennsylvania | $79,000 | +2.2% | $61,981 | $50,680 – $130,270 | 54,290 |
| Vermont | $78,890 | +2.5% | $61,583 | $59,770 – $118,800 | 2,630 |
| South Dakota | $78,880 | +2.0% | $64,322 | $61,190 – $115,470 | 5,820 |
| Michigan | $78,820 | +1.4% | $61,181 | $52,620 – $131,080 | 41,460 |
| New Mexico | $78,580 | +1.5% | $61,583 | $52,390 – $125,420 | 6,300 |
| Indiana | $77,720 | +0.4% | $61,243 | $50,950 – $125,880 | 25,660 |
| Wyoming | $77,620 | +0.3% | $63,436 | $50,900 – $126,520 | 2,670 |
| Maine | $77,480 | −0.3% | $59,289 | $55,640 – $125,130 | 3,860 |
| Iowa | $77,440 | +4.2% | $61,018 | $51,420 – $123,700 | 13,210 |
| Tennessee | $76,840 | +1.8% | $62,887 | $49,920 – $122,160 | 27,340 |
| Missouri | $76,590 | +4.6% | $60,049 | $49,290 – $128,300 | 28,000 |
| South Carolina | $76,560 | +4.6% | $59,253 | $50,370 – $131,220 | 15,270 |
| Montana | $75,810 | +1.9% | $59,240 | $49,250 – $125,290 | 4,730 |
| North Dakota | $75,730 | +4.9% | $61,889 | $49,330 – $124,960 | 4,430 |
| Kentucky | $75,270 | +4.2% | $59,266 | $50,750 – $121,230 | 11,930 |
| Alabama | $74,880 | +5.4% | $58,029 | $50,240 – $123,170 | 24,300 |
| Idaho | $74,730 | +15.3% | $58,550 | $48,170 – $121,820 | 5,570 |
| Hawaii | $74,500 | +9.8% | $57,109 | $49,860 – $117,840 | 4,670 |
| Louisiana | $73,810 | +6.1% | $58,927 | $48,950 – $117,110 | 14,050 |
| West Virginia | $73,320 | −1.6% | $57,811 | $49,240 – $115,210 | 4,900 |
| Nebraska | $72,080 | +3.0% | $57,138 | $48,590 – $114,530 | 10,340 |
| Mississippi | $68,100 | +6.1% | $54,746 | $45,440 – $120,290 | 7,350 |
| Arkansas | $66,330 | +3.3% | $53,102 | $45,810 – $119,520 | 7,870 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Analyst | $83,510 | Bachelor's degree | -4.3% |
| Insurance Underwriter | $81,370 | Bachelor's degree | -3.8% |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $81,100 | Bachelor's degree | +4.1% |
| Loan Officer | $76,690 | Bachelor's degree | +1.1% |
| Budget Analyst | $91,640 | Bachelor's degree | +1.9% |
| Financial Examiner | $94,160 | Bachelor's degree | +9.3% |
| Property Appraiser and Assessor | $67,960 | Bachelor's degree | +3.5% |
| Financial and Investment Analyst | $102,740 | Bachelor's degree | +7.2% |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $62,370 | Bachelor's degree | -1.0% |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $105,070 | Bachelor's degree | +1.4% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a accountant and auditor make?
The national median salary for accountants and auditors is $83,680 a year ($40.23 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $56,020 and the top 10% earn over $144,090. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays accountants and auditors the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $111,530. After taxes and local prices, San Jose, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many accountants and auditors are there in the U.S.?
About 1,449,500 people work as accountants and auditors nationwide.
All 90 cities
- Akron, OH
- Albany, NY
- Albuquerque, NM
- Allentown, PA
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Baltimore, MD
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Birmingham, AL
- Boise City, ID
- Boston, MA
- Boulder, CO
- Bridgeport, CT
- Buffalo, NY
- Cape Coral, FL
- Charleston, SC
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Cincinnati, OH
- Cleveland, OH
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Columbia, SC
- Columbus, OH
- Dallas, TX
- Dayton, OH
- Denver, CO
- Des Moines, IA
- Detroit, MI
- Durham, NC
- Fresno, CA
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Greensboro, NC
- Greenville, SC
- Harrisburg, PA
- Hartford, CT
- Houston, TX
- Huntsville, AL
- Indianapolis, IN
- Jackson, MS
- Jacksonville, FL
- Kansas City, MO
- Knoxville, TN
- Las Vegas, NV
- Little Rock, AR
- Los Angeles, CA
- Louisville, KY
- Madison, WI
- Memphis, TN
- Miami, FL
- Milwaukee, WI
- Minneapolis, MN
- Montgomery, AL
- Nashville, TN
- New Orleans, LA
- New York, NY
- North Port, FL
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Omaha, NE
- Orlando, FL
- Oxnard, CA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Portland, OR
- Providence, RI
- Provo, UT
- Raleigh, NC
- Richmond, VA
- Riverside, CA
- Rochester, NY
- Sacramento, CA
- Salt Lake City, UT
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Sioux Falls, SD
- St. Louis, MO
- Syracuse, NY
- Tallahassee, FL
- Tampa, FL
- Trenton, NJ
- Tucson, AZ
- Tulsa, OK
- Urban Honolulu, HI
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Washington, DC
- Wichita, KS
- Worcester, MA