The median accountant salary is $81,680 according to BLS 2024 data, but the range is enormous — from $55,000 at entry level to $270,000+ for CFOs. The biggest salary levers: CPA certification adds a 10-15% premium, specialization matters (forensic and management accountants out-earn generalists), and public accounting experience unlocks the highest-paying industry exits. A talent shortage (accounting graduates at a 20-year low) is pushing compensation higher across all levels.
- BLS median salary data for accountants in 2026
- How salary scales from entry-level to CFO
- The CPA salary premium (with real numbers)
- Salary differences by specialization (tax, audit, forensic, FP&A)
- Public accounting vs private industry compensation
- Which states and metros pay accountants the most
- Strategies to maximize your accounting earnings
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How much do accountants make?
The median annual salary for accountants and auditors is $81,680 according to BLS 2024 data. Entry-level staff accountants earn $55,000-$69,000, senior accountants earn $80,000-$109,000, managers earn $97,000-$128,000, and controllers earn $152,000-$213,000 (Robert Half 2026 Salary Guide).
How much do CPAs make?
CPAs earn approximately 10-15% more than non-certified accountants at the same experience level, growing to a 20%+ premium at senior levels. Robert Half reports that 87% of finance leaders offer higher salaries to candidates with specialized certifications. CPA partners at public accounting firms can earn $200,000-$1,000,000+ depending on firm size.
What is the highest-paying accounting specialization?
Financial management and advisory roles pay the most — BLS reports a median of $161,700 for financial managers. Among specializations, forensic accounting ($87,000-$124,000 per Robert Half), management accounting / FP&A ($97,000-$128,000 at the manager level), and tax advisory offer the strongest compensation.
Do accountants make good money?
Yes. The median accountant salary of $81,680 is significantly above the national median for all occupations ($49,500 per BLS). With CPA certification and 10-15 years of experience, accountants routinely earn $130,000-$200,000+. The career path to CFO (midpoint $270,000 per Robert Half) is well-defined.
"How much do accountants make?" is one of the most common questions from people considering accounting careers — and the answer is more nuanced than a single number. Accountant salaries vary dramatically based on certification, specialization, employer type, location, and experience level. A staff bookkeeper and a Big 4 partner are both "accountants" but live in entirely different compensation universes.
This guide breaks down real salary data so you can benchmark your current compensation and plan your next move.
Average Accountant Salary in 2026
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual wage for accountants and auditors at $81,680 as of May 2024. This is 65% above the national median for all occupations ($49,500).
BLS salary percentiles for accountants and auditors:
Accounting graduates hit a 20-year low in 2023-24 while demand remains strong (5% projected job growth). This imbalance is pushing salaries higher, particularly at the entry and mid-career levels where talent is scarcest. For more on how the shortage impacts careers, see Accountant Shortage Explained.
Accountants earn a median of $81,680 — 65% above the national median ($49,500). The talent shortage is putting upward pressure on compensation at every level.
Accountant Salary by Experience Level
Accounting offers one of the clearest salary progression paths in business — each step up brings a meaningful compensation increase.
Accountant Salary by Career Level
Typical midpoint salary at each stage of the accounting career path
The Jump Points
Not every career transition is equal. The biggest salary jumps happen at two specific points:
- Senior → Manager (+$20,000-$35,000): The transition from individual contributor to people manager typically brings the largest single-step raise
- Controller → CFO (+$60,000-$130,000+): The leap to the C-suite is the highest-value career transition in accounting, but it requires strategic and leadership skills beyond technical accounting
For a complete roadmap from entry to executive, see How to Become an Accountant.
Accounting salaries roughly double from entry-level ($62,000 midpoint) to manager ($113,000) and triple to controller ($185,000). The CFO path ($270,000 midpoint per Robert Half) is clearly defined but requires leadership skills beyond accounting expertise.
CPA vs Non-CPA Salary
The CPA certification is the single most impactful credential for accounting compensation.
CPA vs Non-CPA Salary Comparison
Approximate salary at each career level with and without CPA
The Compounding Premium
The CPA premium starts at roughly 10% at the staff level and widens with seniority:
Over a long career, the cumulative CPA premium amounts to significant additional earnings — and many of the highest-paying roles (audit partner, controller at public companies) explicitly require CPA licensure.
For most accountants targeting mid-career and senior roles: yes. The investment ($3,000-$5,500 in exam costs plus 300-400 study hours) pays for itself within 2-3 years through salary premium alone. For a complete ROI analysis, see Is Getting a CPA Worth It in 2026?.
CPAs earn an estimated 10-20% more than non-certified accountants, with the premium growing at senior levels. Robert Half reports 87% of leaders pay more for certified candidates, and many senior roles explicitly require CPA licensure.
Accountant Salary by Specialization
Different accounting specializations command very different compensation — and offer different lifestyle tradeoffs.
Median Salary by Accounting Specialization
Annual median salary across accounting career paths
Highest-Paying Paths
Financial management / CFO track: The highest-paying path for accountants runs through management accounting and FP&A into controller and CFO roles. BLS reports a median of $161,700 for financial managers.
Forensic accounting: Robert Half reports a forensic accountant midpoint of $110,000, with a range from $87,000 to $124,000. The premium reflects the specialized, high-stakes nature of fraud investigation and litigation support. See How to Become a Forensic Accountant.
Tax advisory: Senior tax planners (especially those serving high-net-worth clients and complex businesses) command premium compensation well above standard tax preparation roles.
Specialization significantly impacts compensation. The management track (controller midpoint $185K → CFO midpoint $270K per Robert Half) and advisory-focused paths (forensic midpoint $110K) pay the most. Choose specialization based on both interest and earning potential.
Public Accounting vs Private Industry Pay
The public-vs-private decision is one of the biggest compensation variables in accounting — but the comparison isn't straightforward.
The Career Math
Years 1-4: Public accounting typically pays more, especially at Big 4 firms. The gap is $5,000-$15,000 at entry level.
Years 5-10: Industry starts to catch up and often surpasses public, especially when factoring in work-life balance, lower hours, and equity compensation at tech companies.
Years 10+: The paths diverge dramatically. Public accounting partners earn $200,000-$1,000,000+, but the partner track is narrow. Industry CFOs earn $196,000-$322,000+ per Robert Half with a broader path to the top.
The common strategy: Start in public accounting (2-5 years) for skill development and CPA support, then exit to industry for a significant salary bump and better work-life balance. For more on this decision, see Public vs Private Accounting.
Public accounting pays more early and offers better CPA support. Industry catches up mid-career and offers better work-life balance. The "start public, exit to industry" strategy remains the most common high-earning approach.
Big 4 vs Mid-Size vs Industry Salaries
Within public accounting, firm size correlates strongly with compensation — especially at the entry level.
Big 4 firms command the highest starting salaries, but mid-market firms (BDO, Grant Thornton, RSM) offer competitive compensation with often better work-life balance and faster advancement. For a complete comparison, see Big 4 Accounting Alternatives.
Big 4 firms pay a $5,000-$15,000 premium at entry level. The gap narrows at mid-career and depends heavily on partner track progression. Mid-market firms offer strong compensation with better lifestyle balance.
Accountant Salary by Location
Geography significantly impacts accounting compensation — though remote work is narrowing the gap.
The Remote Work Factor
Remote accounting roles are increasingly common, and they create geographic arbitrage opportunities. An accountant in a low-cost area working remotely for a company that pays national market rates effectively earns a premium. However, some companies apply location-based pay adjustments.
For a deep dive on remote accounting compensation, see Remote Accounting Jobs Guide.
High-cost metros tend to pay above the national median of $81,680, but cost-of-living often erodes the advantage. Use the Robert Half salary calculator or BLS OEWS area data for metro-specific figures. Remote work for national employers can provide geographic arbitrage.
How to Maximize Your Accounting Salary
- Get CPA certified — the single highest-ROI investment for accounting earnings (10-24% premium)
- Start in public accounting — 2-4 years builds skills and unlocks premium industry exits
- Specialize in high-demand areas — forensic, FP&A, tax advisory, and international accounting pay premiums
- Change jobs strategically — external moves typically deliver 10-20% raises vs 3-5% for internal promotions
- Negotiate every offer — the talent shortage gives accountants unusual leverage in 2026
- Target high-paying industries — tech, finance, and consulting companies pay above-market for accounting talent
- Pursue the management track — controller and CFO roles represent the highest earning potential
- Build a personal brand — visibility leads to inbound recruiter interest and competing offers
- Consider going independent — freelance accountants and firm owners can earn more than employed peers
The Compounding Effect
Salary optimization isn't about any single move — it's about stacking advantages:
CPA (estimated +10-20%) + specialization + high-paying industry + strategic job changes = dramatically different career earnings.
An accountant who optimizes across all factors will significantly outpace the $81,680 median. The accountant who stays in the same role at the same company for a decade with cost-of-living raises will trail those who make strategic moves.
The talent shortage means accounting professionals have more negotiating leverage than almost any other business field in 2026. Don't accept the first offer. For negotiation tactics, see our Salary Negotiation Guide.
CPA certification (87% of leaders pay more for it per Robert Half), public accounting experience, specialization, and strategic job changes are the highest-leverage moves for maximizing accounting compensation.
Key Takeaways
- 1Median accountant salary is $81,680 — 65% above the national median for all occupations ($49,500)
- 2Career progression is clear: staff ($62K) → senior ($95K) → manager ($113K) → controller ($185K) → CFO ($270K) per Robert Half 2026
- 3CPA certification provides an estimated 10-20% salary premium that compounds over a career
- 4Highest-paying paths: financial management ($162K BLS median), forensic accounting ($110K RH mid), management/FP&A ($113K RH mid)
- 5Big 4 firms pay the most at entry level; industry catches up and often surpasses by mid-career
- 6The talent shortage gives accounting professionals unusual negotiating leverage — Robert Half reports 87% of leaders offer premium pay for specialized skills
- 7Stack advantages (CPA + specialization + strategic moves + high-paying industry) to significantly outpace the median
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for an accountant?
Entry-level staff accountants earn $55,000-$69,000 per Robert Half's 2026 Salary Guide (national averages). Experienced staff accountants earn $61,000-$88,000. Accounting clerks and bookkeepers start at $45,000-$55,000. CPA-eligible graduates typically command higher starting offers.
How much do forensic accountants make?
Robert Half reports forensic accountant salaries from $87,000 (low/entry) to $124,000 (high/experienced), with a midpoint of $110,000. Those with both CPA and CFE certifications and litigation experience command the highest salaries in this specialization.
Is accounting a high-paying career?
Yes, relative to education requirements. The median of $81,680 requires a bachelor's degree (4 years). With CPA certification and career advancement, accountants routinely earn $130,000-$200,000+. The CFO midpoint is $270,000 per Robert Half. Few business careers offer comparable compensation with such a structured advancement path.
Do accountants make more than finance professionals?
It depends on the specific roles. Financial analysts earn a BLS median of $101,910 vs accountants at $81,680 — but the ranges overlap significantly. At the executive level, both CFOs and VP Finance roles pay $200,000-$322,000+ (Robert Half). Accounting offers a more structured progression; finance often has more variable compensation.
How much do accounting managers make?
Accounting managers earn $97,000-$128,000 per Robert Half's 2026 Salary Guide (national averages). CPAs at this level can earn an estimated 15-20% more than non-certified managers. Big 4 managers earn at the upper end of this range; small firm managers at the lower end.
What is the CPA salary premium?
CPAs earn an estimated 10-15% more at the staff level, increasing to approximately 20% more at manager and director levels. Robert Half reports that 87% of finance leaders offer higher salaries to candidates with specialized certifications like the CPA. Many senior roles explicitly require CPA licensure.
Can accountants make $200,000?
Yes. Robert Half's 2026 data shows controllers at $152,000-$213,000, directors at $127,000-$183,000, and CFOs at $196,000-$322,000. The path typically requires CPA certification, 10-15 years of experience, and either a public accounting partner track or an industry management role. Firm owners and freelance CFOs can also exceed $200,000.
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Sources & References
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Accountants and Auditors — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025)
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025)
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Financial Managers — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025)
- 2026 Finance and Accounting Salary Guide — Robert Half (2026)
- 2025 Trends in the Supply of Accounting Graduates and the Demand for Public Accounting Recruits — AICPA & CIMA (2025)