Accountant & Auditor Salaries & Wage Percentiles
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology
Examine, analyze, and prepare financial records, tax filings, and audit statements.
National Wage Percentile Spectrum
Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).
Nationwide State Salary Rankings
State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.
| Rank | State | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | CoL Adjusted Real Wage | Total Employed | Top Metro in State | CoL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | District of Columbia DC | $102,140 | $49.11/hr | $64,279 | 41,470 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 158.9 |
| #2 | Rhode Island RI | $95,020 | $45.68/hr | $85,449 | 8,250 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 111.2 |
| #3 | Connecticut CT | $93,692 | $45.04/hr | $74,182 | 15,750 | Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 126.3 |
| #4 | Massachusetts MA | $91,895 | $44.18/hr | $70,256 | 43,690 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 130.8 |
| #5 | Washington WA | $90,272 | $43.40/hr | $80,029 | 30,070 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 112.8 |
| #6 | New Jersey NJ | $88,516 | $42.56/hr | $74,950 | 4,130 | Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 118.1 |
| #7 | California CA | $88,126 | $42.37/hr | $60,237 | 164,720 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 146.3 |
| #8 | Colorado CO | $88,114 | $42.36/hr | $75,182 | 31,760 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 117.2 |
Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings
High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.
Career Ladder & Progression Stages
Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.
Bachelor's degree (most common O*NET requirement); entry into the field
Demonstrated results in role; works independently on core responsibilities; CPA license
Full professional competence; leads projects or a small team; CPA license
Owns budget, hiring and outcomes for a department or large program
Executive or principal scope; sets strategy across the organization or profession
Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities
Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.
Accountant & Auditor: Career Ladder, Industry Hub & Regional Parity
Navigate parent industry benchmarks, lateral career progressions, and cross-pillar living cost calculators.
Finance Directory
Compare wage percentiles, required certifications, and senior salary caps across all Finance occupations.
Adjacent Career Paths
Living Cost & Tax Parity
Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions
Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, and career ladder progression for Accountant & Auditor. Official 2026 economic data for Accountant & Auditor compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
National compensation benchmarks for Accountant & Auditor range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.
Accountant & Auditor: Where the Pay Is Highest
The national median for Accountant & Auditor is $83,680 per year ($40.23/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 393 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $38,490 in Mayagüez, PR to $121,700 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA.
Top-paying metropolitan areas for Accountant & Auditor
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs national |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,700 | +45.4% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $110,730 | +32.3% |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $105,650 | +26.3% |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $102,140 | +22.1% |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $102,020 | +21.9% |
| Midland, TX | $100,890 | +20.6% |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $100,420 | +20.0% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $100,150 | +19.7% |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $100,020 | +19.5% |
| Boulder, CO | $99,990 | +19.5% |
| Napa, CA | $99,640 | +19.1% |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $99,550 | +19.0% |