Accountant pay in the United States: San Jose leads, San Antonio trails
A accountant in the United States earns a national median of US$83,700. San Jose pays the most of 21 observed metros (US$121,700); San Antonio pays the least (US$78,650).
In BLS OEWS (May 2025), the 10th percentile for the matching occupation is US$56,020 and the 90th is US$144,090 (2.6×).
San Jose is +45% against the national median and San Antonio -6%. In between: San Francisco US$110,730, New York US$105,650, Washington US$102,140, and Boston US$100,150.
The closest finance & business peer is auditor at US$88,000, so an accountant earns 4.9% less at the national median in the United States.
Why a United States-median offer can be low in San Jose
San Jose’s observed median is US$121,700, with a local band of about US$78,440–US$196,890. An offer pitched at the national median (US$83,700) would sit 45% under the local midpoint.
Accountant pay in official statistics for the United States
The closest official occupation is Accountants and Auditors (SOC 13-2011). In May 2025 its national median was $83,680 a year.
The headline median at the top of this page comes from this same table, rounded to the nearest hundred.
The published 10th and 90th percentiles are $56,020 and $144,090, a 2.6× spread.
BLS estimates 1,449,500 jobs in this occupation nationwide.
51 states have a published figure. District of Columbia is highest at $111,530 (+33% vs national) and Arkansas lowest at $66,330, a 1.68× gap.
13 of the 51 pay above the national median; the next highest after District of Columbia are New York ($102,640) and New Jersey ($100,830).
National figures, Accountants and Auditors (SOC 13-2011), May 2025
Accountant pay in the United States vs other countries
The United States is 1st of 7 countries for this role once medians are converted at the same exchange rate (US$83,700). Australia pays 4% less (US$80,144). The gap between the highest and lowest market is 6.4×.
At US$83,700, accountants earn about what the average American economy produces per head (US$90,000, World Bank 2025).
By national median, it is number 25 of 27 roles we track there. Auditor is the next step up at US$88,000, and Paralegal the next step down at US$68,000.
Every other finance & business role we cover pays more, led by Investment Banker at US$250,000.
Accountant take-home pay in the United States (estimate)
Using our take-home calculator for the United States, the US$83,700 median loses income tax US$9,584, Social Security US$5,189 and Medicare US$1,214, leaving US$67,713 a year or US$5,643 a month. Total deductions: 19% of gross.
At the published 10th percentile from BLS OEWS (May 2025) (US$56,020) deductions are 16%; at the 90th (US$144,090) they reach 24%, leaving US$9,146 a month.
The United States: prices, jobs and holidays
Consumer prices in the United States rose 2.9% in 2024 (World Bank). Matching that on the US$83,700 median takes a raise of about US$2,427.
Unemployment was 4.2% of the labour force in 2025.
The United States has 14 public holidays in 2026 (Nager.Date); at the median, one working day is worth about US$322 before tax.
United States
Australia