Average CPA Salaries & Wages by State

To increase your CPA average salary, consider developing skills in the following areas. The tables below outline the best states and metropolitan areas for prospective CPAs based on the number of job openings each year, projected job growth for each area, and average salary. An accountant analyzes and organizes the financial information and transactions of an organization. They ensure that principles and standards like GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) are followed and that all required reporting is prepared and completed. Some accountants may specialize in a particular type of industry like healthcare or energy, or have a specialization, such as tax accounting or cost accounting.

Salary Insights

The table below breaks down the average salary for accountants with different education levels. Keep in mind this table includes all accountants, not solely CPAs. Texas features a high number of accountants employed, a generous average salary, and a high rate of projected job growth. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area employs over 37,000 accountants with an average salary of $83,850, significantly higher than the average wage for all positions in that area. CPA licensure affords professionals the credentials they need to provide accounting services in a wide variety of industries.

Discover how your pay is adjusted for skills, experience, and other factors

But to understand how far your salary will go in each state, you’ll also need to consider the cost of living in each. For example, CPAs make the most in DC at $110,140 per year, but they also need to include $78,809 for cost of living³. Not every CPA will follow–or even want–this professional trajectory, and that’s OK! The key is to find a balance between your salary goals and career fulfillment.

Accountant Salary by Years of Experience

Urban centers and cities with higher populations typically offer more job opportunities for accountants in response to higher demand from businesses seeking CPA services. The tables in the following sections map out the best areas for prospective CPAs to look for jobs based on average salary, https://www.bookstime.com/ the number of jobs available, and projected job growth. The BLS highlights the five top-paying states for accountants and auditors. Offers the highest average salary for accounting professionals at $110,140. California rounds out the top five with an average accountant salary of $88,130.

• The skills and knowledge CPAs hold makes them invaluable, dynamic employees.
• The states below feature dense populations and large, urban centers, which may contribute to an increased demand for accountants and CPAs.
• Simply because one firm generates more revenue than another does not necessarily mean that you will be paid better there, nor have a better fit.
• The demand for CPAs continues to grow along with the economy and the need to maintain financial records.
• This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

CPA Salary by Education

In fact, the top two skills that increase salaries for accountants–financial reporting and financial modeling–are skills taught in CPA training. Firms in major cities can offer more attractive compensation packages to recruit top talent, but it usually enrolled agent salary comes with a higher cost of living. According to data from PayScale, CPAs in their first year of working in the field earn an average salary of $54,000 as of October 2021. This average increases to $60,000 in the first four years of working in the field.

• CPAs and accountants are experts at examining financial records and identifying opportunities and risks for companies or individuals.
• California rounds out the top five with an average accountant salary of $88,130.
• Our job description management tool- JobArchitect streamlines your job description process.
• Some states may offer higher average salaries due to factors like increased demand, larger population, and higher costs of living.
• One of the reasons behind this salary difference stems from the additional rigor and standards required of CPAs to work in the field.
• As expected, accountants receive both bonuses and pay raises; however, they are often modest compared to the ones received within investment banking.

The skills and knowledge CPAs hold makes them invaluable, dynamic employees. They can provide accounting services in various capacities, making them highly employable regardless of their geographic location. Early career (one to four years in the field) CPAs earn an average of $60,000 per year. In contrast, late career (more than 20 years experience) CPAs earn an average of $98,000 per year—a stark increase.

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