What the data says about accountant pay in San Jose
After a simplified 15% national tax estimate that is about US$8,600 a month, in a metro with a cost-of-living index of 100.
Accountant pay in San Jose: national and in-state ranking
The gap to the lowest-paying observed metro, San Antonio, is 55% (US$78,650). The runner-up is San Francisco at US$110,730.
San Jose out-earns the rest of CA for this role — Los Angeles (US$94,360), San Diego (US$96,340) and San Francisco (US$110,730) — and beats the 4-metro state average of US$105,800 by 15%.
What the San Jose median is worth after tax and rent
With a COL index of 100, there is little difference between headline pay and price-adjusted pay (US$121,700).
Its place holds after a cost-of-living adjustment — 1st of 21 either way.
After a simplified 15% effective national income tax, the median nets about US$8,600 a month. A modeled 1-bedroom (US$1,650) takes 19% of that, leaving around US$5,150 after modeled living costs.
San Jose vs nearby CA metros
A accountant moving from San Jose to Los Angeles (also in CA) would see the median fall 22% to US$94,360, with US$1,780 less left over monthly in our model.
A accountant moving from San Jose to San Diego (also in CA) would see the median fall 21% to US$96,340, with US$1,650 less left over monthly in our model.
In New York — similar cost level, COL 100 — the median is US$105,650 (-13% vs San Jose), and the modeled budget leaves US$1,050 less each month.
Accountant vs other occupations in San Jose
Lawyer is the best-paid tracked role in San Jose at US$301,320; accountant comes 9th of 9.
Closest neighbours in the San Jose list: Project Manager at US$135,120 (+11%).
Where San Jose stands for junior and senior accountants
Entry and senior pay rank the same in San Jose: 1st of 21 at both the 10th and the 90th percentile.
No observed metro has a higher 90th percentile for this role than San Jose.
How wide accountant pay runs in San Jose
The 90th percentile (US$196,890) is 2.5× the 10th (US$78,440), a wide band that usually reflects different seniority levels and employer types under one title.