verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Accountant Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$97,050/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$46.66/hr
▲ 16% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
175,360
public U.S. Median
$83,680
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$87,654 #15 of 51

Accountant pay in California, explained

Accountants in California earn a median of $97,050 per year ($46.66 per hour), which is 16% above the national median of $83,680. Entry-level workers earn around $61,770, while the most experienced accountants reach about $160,520. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $97,050 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $97,050 is worth about $87,654 in national buying power — ranking California #15 for real pay (vs #6 on the sticker number).

See the full Accountant Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Accountant pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$61,770
$29.70/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$97,050
$46.66/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$160,520
$77.17/hr

Accountant pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $97,050 $87,654
Oregon $85,800 $83,010 +$11,250
Nevada $81,600 $81,617 +$15,450
Arizona $79,970 $79,432 +$17,080

Accountant in California: FAQ

How much do accountants make in California?

Accountants in California earn a median of $97,050 per year ($46.66 per hour), compared with $83,680 nationally.

Does California pay accountants well?

At $97,050, California pays 16% above the national median for accountants. An estimated 175,360 work in the state.

Accountant salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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