Accountants and Auditor Salary in 2026
How Much Do Accountants and Auditors Make?
Accountants and Auditors earn a median annual salary of $81,680 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $52,780 at the 10th percentile to $141,420 at the 90th percentile — a range of $88,640. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $103,030.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $52,780 |
| 25th percentile | $64,660 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 |
| 75th percentile | $106,450 |
| 90th percentile | $141,420 |
Accountants and Auditor Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $103,030 |
| New York | $101,780 |
| New Jersey | $101,340 |
| Massachusetts | $96,580 |
| California | $96,360 |
| Washington | $96,180 |
| Rhode Island | $90,040 |
| Colorado | $90,030 |
| Connecticut | $89,630 |
| Maryland | $84,890 |
| Delaware | $84,560 |
| Virginia | $84,190 |
| New Hampshire | $82,830 |
| Alaska | $81,950 |
| Oregon | $81,130 |
| Minnesota | $81,100 |
| North Carolina | $80,490 |
| Georgia | $80,100 |
| Texas | $80,000 |
| Illinois | $79,300 |
| Arizona | $78,620 |
| Florida | $78,470 |
| Nevada | $78,220 |
| Wisconsin | $78,150 |
| Michigan | $77,720 |
| Maine | $77,680 |
| Ohio | $77,640 |
| New Mexico | $77,420 |
| Indiana | $77,410 |
| Wyoming | $77,400 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,330 |
| South Dakota | $77,310 |
| Vermont | $76,990 |
| Oklahoma | $76,820 |
| Kansas | $76,400 |
| Tennessee | $75,500 |
| Utah | $75,100 |
| West Virginia | $74,520 |
| Montana | $74,400 |
| Iowa | $74,290 |
| Missouri | $73,210 |
| South Carolina | $73,180 |
| Kentucky | $72,220 |
| North Dakota | $72,180 |
| Alabama | $71,070 |
| Nebraska | $69,980 |
| Louisiana | $69,540 |
| Hawaii | $67,820 |
| Idaho | $64,840 |
| Arkansas | $64,180 |
| Mississippi | $64,170 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Accountants and Auditors
Accountants and Auditor Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$52,780 – $64,660 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$81,680 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$106,450 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $141,420+ |
How to Earn More as an Accountants and Auditor
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Accountants and Auditors in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $121,630 — $39,950 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($106,450) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Accountants and Auditor Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditorthis career | $81,680 |
| Financial Manager | $161,700 |
| Treasurers and Controller | $161,700 |
| Management Analyst | $101,190 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialist | $77,020 |
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SOC: 13-2011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.