Accountant Salary
BLS reports this occupation as "Accountants and Auditors" (13-2011); every figure on this page is for that BLS occupation.
Accountants prepare and examine financial records, ensuring accuracy and compliance with laws and regulations. They also assess financial operations, recommend best practices, and help businesses run efficiently.
National Salary Distribution
Top Paying Cities for Accountant
| # | City | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $110,730 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $105,650 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $102,140 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $100,150 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $100,020 |
| 6 | Seattle, WA | $99,370 |
| 7 | San Diego, CA | $96,340 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $94,360 |
| 9 | Charlotte, NC | $92,910 |
| 10 | Portland, OR | $92,200 |
Highest After Local Prices
| # | City | Price Level | At National Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | 115.6 | $95,776 |
| 2 | Charlotte, NC | 97.3 | $95,441 |
| 3 | Denver, CO | 105.8 | $94,553 |
| 4 | New York, NY | 112.6 | $93,859 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | 108.9 | $93,806 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | 108.3 | $92,504 |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | 111.1 | $89,415 |
| 8 | Portland, OR | 105.4 | $87,459 |
| 9 | Houston, TX | 98.6 | $86,273 |
| 10 | San Diego, CA | 111.9 | $86,105 |
Accountant Salary — All Cities
| City | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $88,820 | $110,730 | $143,590 | $180,060 | 25,170 |
| New York, NY | $82,830 | $105,650 | $137,490 | $174,750 | 111,930 |
| Washington, DC | $79,990 | $102,140 | $133,430 | $170,980 | 41,470 |
| Boston, MA | $79,990 | $100,150 | $129,490 | $161,450 | 37,150 |
| Denver, CO | $78,130 | $100,020 | $130,870 | $165,010 | 22,720 |
| Seattle, WA | $80,880 | $99,370 | $126,800 | $160,640 | 22,100 |
| San Diego, CA | $76,690 | $96,340 | $125,190 | $157,720 | 13,450 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $74,060 | $94,360 | $122,290 | $154,630 | 70,640 |
| Charlotte, NC | $72,420 | $92,910 | $129,000 | $167,330 | 16,820 |
| Portland, OR | $76,900 | $92,200 | $109,870 | $136,730 | 10,100 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $73,900 | $86,500 | $110,290 | $145,710 | 21,820 |
| Atlanta, GA | $68,510 | $85,820 | $116,090 | $153,010 | 30,150 |
| Houston, TX | $72,470 | $85,090 | $109,670 | $144,190 | 28,400 |
| Richmond, VA | $68,790 | $84,220 | $107,000 | $134,290 | 7,920 |
| Austin, TX | $68,250 | $83,120 | $103,820 | $130,130 | 12,480 |
| Dallas, TX | $71,100 | $82,620 | $104,150 | $133,540 | 37,450 |
| Chicago, IL | $72,280 | $82,360 | $103,120 | $134,100 | 41,360 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $64,950 | $82,100 | $107,790 | $131,730 | 8,660 |
| Raleigh, NC | $67,050 | $81,950 | $105,160 | $134,220 | 9,190 |
| Columbus, OH | $65,170 | $81,700 | $104,790 | $132,330 | 11,410 |
| Miami, FL | $63,700 | $80,920 | $105,500 | $132,540 | 30,950 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $66,340 | $80,820 | $105,640 | $129,170 | 21,360 |
| Detroit, MI | $65,490 | $80,650 | $104,170 | $133,870 | 19,390 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $63,900 | $79,290 | $102,380 | $129,180 | 11,210 |
| Nashville, TN | $65,300 | $78,080 | $97,420 | $125,740 | 11,290 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $58,280 | $77,280 | $100,530 | $131,160 | 6,700 |
| Memphis, TN | $62,860 | $76,960 | $95,210 | $122,830 | 4,390 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $60,550 | $76,940 | $97,760 | $124,880 | 10,430 |
| Louisville, KY | $62,760 | $76,320 | $97,470 | $121,630 | 4,590 |
| El Paso, TX | $51,300 | $65,990 | $83,450 | $107,800 | 2,120 |
5About the Accountant Role
Accountants prepare and examine financial records, ensuring accuracy and compliance with laws and regulations. They also assess financial operations, recommend best practices, and help businesses run efficiently.
Compensation for Accountants varies by metro — from $65,990 at the low end in El Paso, TX to $110,730 in San Francisco, CA. The $44,740 gap is a gap in dollars. The second table above lists the 10 highest medians after each is restated at national-average prices using BEA regional price parities, which can change the order.
For side-by-side comparisons between specific metros, use the compare links above or the salary calculator. For state-level figures, see accountant salary by state, or browse all occupations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Accountant salary in the US?
The national median Accountant salary is $83,680 per year, per the BLS OEWS May 2025 national estimate. The 25th percentile is $67,020 and the 90th percentile reaches $144,090.
Which city pays Accountants the most?
Among the 30 metro areas covered here, San Francisco, CA has the highest median wage for Accountants at $110,730 per year (BLS OEWS May 2025). New York, NY ($105,650) and Washington, DC ($102,140) are next.