How much does a accountant make?
The median accountant in the United States earns $83,680 per year, about $40.23 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all accountants earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 13-2011.
Accountant salary range
Pay for accountants spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $56,020 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $144,090. The average (mean) wage of $94,750 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $56,020 | $26.93 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $67,020 | $32.22 | |
| Median (50th) | $83,680 | $40.23 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $109,810 | $52.80 | |
| 90th percentile | $144,090 | $69.27 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for accountants and auditors (SOC 13-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Accountant salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Accountants earn the most in District of Columbia at $111,530 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $66,330. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,530 | 9,810 |
| New York | $102,640 | 109,830 |
| New Jersey | $100,830 | 42,250 |
| Massachusetts | $99,460 | 46,230 |
| Connecticut | $97,550 | 16,770 |
| California | $97,050 | 175,360 |
| Colorado | $97,030 | 35,410 |
| Washington | $96,550 | 34,740 |
| Rhode Island | $95,820 | 6,570 |
| Delaware | $95,020 | 6,570 |
| Virginia | $93,290 | 47,100 |
| Maryland | $89,370 | 26,170 |
| Oregon | $85,800 | 14,920 |
| New Hampshire | $83,470 | 7,000 |
| Alaska | $83,460 | 2,190 |
| North Carolina | $82,050 | 49,270 |
| Georgia | $81,900 | 44,020 |
| Minnesota | $81,600 | 30,530 |
| Nevada | $81,600 | 6,930 |
| Texas | $80,920 | 116,470 |
| Illinois | $80,230 | 54,930 |
| Utah | $79,990 | 15,490 |
| Arizona | $79,970 | 27,410 |
| Wisconsin | $79,400 | 25,100 |
| Oklahoma | $79,370 | 16,720 |
| Ohio | $79,320 | 50,440 |
| Florida | $79,250 | 91,000 |
| Kansas | $79,000 | 13,610 |
| Pennsylvania | $79,000 | 54,290 |
| Vermont | $78,890 | 2,630 |
| South Dakota | $78,880 | 5,820 |
| Michigan | $78,820 | 41,460 |
| New Mexico | $78,580 | 6,300 |
| Indiana | $77,720 | 25,660 |
| Wyoming | $77,620 | 2,670 |
| Maine | $77,480 | 3,860 |
| Iowa | $77,440 | 13,210 |
| Tennessee | $76,840 | 27,340 |
| Missouri | $76,590 | 28,000 |
| South Carolina | $76,560 | 15,270 |
| Montana | $75,810 | 4,730 |
| North Dakota | $75,730 | 4,430 |
| Kentucky | $75,270 | 11,930 |
| Alabama | $74,880 | 24,300 |
| Idaho | $74,730 | 5,570 |
| Hawaii | $74,500 | 4,670 |
| Louisiana | $73,810 | 14,050 |
| West Virginia | $73,320 | 4,900 |
| Nebraska | $72,080 | 10,340 |
| Mississippi | $68,100 | 7,350 |
| Arkansas | $66,330 | 7,870 |
State median wages for accountants and auditors (SOC 13-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for accountants
The BLS projects employment of accountants to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 1,595,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 1,674,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 115,300 openings a year for accountants. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an accountant
The typical entry-level education for accountants is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an accountant earns
Firm size, industry, certifications, and years of experience drive the spread. Large firms and major financial centers pay well above small-town or entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $111,530) and the lowest (Arkansas, $66,330) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 1,449,500 people work as accountants in the United States. At $83,680 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Accountant salary FAQ
How much does an accountant make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an accountant is $40.23. The middle half of accountants earn between $32.22 and $52.80 per hour.
What is the highest accountant salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of accountants earn more than $144,090 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an accountant make a year?
The median annual salary for an accountant is $83,680. The average (mean) wage of $94,750 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an accountant a well paid job?
At $83,680 a year, an accountant earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 1,449,500 people work as accountants in the United States.
Which state pays accountants the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for accountants at $111,530 a year. New York ($102,640) and New Jersey ($100,830) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an accountant a good career?
Employment of accountants is projected to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 115,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an accountant?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for accountants as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
Related salaries
See more in Business & Finance salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.