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Cost Accountant, Junior Salary in the United States

How much does a Cost Accountant, Junior make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cost Accountant, Junior in the United States is $67,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

However, a Cost Accountant, Junior's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $77,625
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $63,000 to $72,800
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $58,903
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Cost Accountant, Junior Salaries

A Cost Accountant, Junior's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Cost Accountant, Junior Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cost Accountant, Junior's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Cost Accountant, Junior (0-2 years): $67,500
  • Intermediate Cost Accountant (2-4 years): $79,703
  • Senior Cost Accountant (4-7 years): $94,619
  • Cost Accountant, Specialist (7+ years): $109,533
  • General & Cost Accounting Supervisor (7+ years): $107,184
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Cost Accountant, Junior0-2 years$67,500
Intermediate Cost Accountant2-4 years$79,703
Senior Cost Accountant4-7 years$94,619
Cost Accountant, Specialist7+ years$109,533
General & Cost Accounting Supervisor7+ years$107,184
View as Graph

How Do Cost Accountant, Junior Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Cost Accountant, Juniors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $74,800.
  • California: $74,500.
  • Massachusetts: $73,500.

Top Paying Cities for Cost Accountant, Juniors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $85,200
  • San Francisco: $84,300
  • Oakland: $82,500

What Skills Can Increase a Cost Accountant, Junior's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 13.52% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Bill of Materials (Mentioned in 1.61% Job Postings): Applying tools, methods, and practices in creating a list of raw materials, components, and instructions required to create a product.
  • Financial Reporting (Mentioned in 1.06% Job Postings): Reporting all activities and transactions to track and assess the financial health of the business.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 13.52%
Bill of Materials 1.61%
Financial Reporting 1.06%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Cost Accountant, Junior's salary.

  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Supply Chain: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Leadership $74,250
10%
Coordination $71,550
6%
Supply Chain $70,875
5%
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Cost Accountant, Junior Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Cost Accountant, Junior salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $75,434. While startup companies pay approximate $63,810.

Cost Accountant, Junior Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $63,810
Growth Stage 51~500 $67,485
Established 501~5000 $72,841
Enterprise 5000+ $75,434

Cost Accountant, Junior Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cost Accountant, Junior roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Cost Accountant, Junior positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cost Accountant, Junior as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cost Accountant, Junior

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$84,375$41.025%
Financial Services$81,000$39.020%
Energy & Utilities$77,625$37.015%
Aerospace & Defense$74,250$36.010%
Insurance$74,250$36.010%

How Education impacts a Cost Accountant, Junior's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Cost Accountant, Juniors enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Cost Accountant, Junior with a Bachelor's Degree is between $65,700 and $69,494).

Cost Accountant, Junior Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Cost Accountant, Junior
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 7.1%
Associates 6.5%
Bachelors 70.0%
Masters 15.8%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Cost Accountant, Junior Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cost Accountant, Junior's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$63,000
Average $67,500/year
$72,800
$5,250
Average $5,625/month
$6,067
$1,212
Average $1,298/week
$1,400
$30
Average $32/hour
$35
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $72,800 $6,067 $1,400 $35
Average $67,500 $5,625 $1,298 $32
25th Percentile $63,000 $5,250 $1,212 $30

Cost Accountant, Junior Salary Growth & Career Path

Cost Accountant, Junior

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Advancement

For a Cost Accountant, Junior, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Intermediate Cost Accountant role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $79,800 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Cost Accountant, Junior

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Cost Accountant, Junior

Here are companies hiring for Cost Accountant, Junior and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Cost Accountant, Junior

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Cost Accountant, Junior?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Cost Accountant, Junior roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. Are cost accountants in demand?

The demand for cost accountants is increasing globally, particularly in Asia, America, and Europe, making it a promising career path. With salaries ranging from $62,700 to $77,200, this profession offers competitive compensation. Additionally, specialized courses from ICAI can help engineering graduates enhance their skills and improve their job prospects.

3. What is the highest salary of cost accountant?

The highest salary for a Cost Accountant is ₹77,200 annually. In comparison, cities near India report lower monthly salaries, such as Coimbatore at ₹55,576, Chennai at ₹43,503, and Delhi at ₹41,596. The salary range for this role typically falls between ₹62,700 and ₹77,200, with a midpoint of ₹69,500.

4. How much does a CMA accountant earn in USA?

A Cost Accountant in the USA typically earns between $62,700 and $77,200 annually, with a median salary of around $69,500. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and responsibilities within the role.

5. How much does a Jr accountant earn in USA?

How much does a Junior Accountant make? Based on recent salary data, a Junior Accountant in the United States earns between $62,700 and $77,200 annually, with a median salary of $69,500. This translates to approximately $30.10 to $37.05 per hour, or $5,225 to $6,433 per month.

6. Is it hard to be a cost accountant?

Is it hard to be a cost accountant? Cost accounting can be challenging, especially for tasks like cost analysis and efficiency evaluations. However, it shouldn't be overly difficult for those with the necessary education and math skills. Additionally, the salary range for a junior cost accountant typically falls between $62,700 and $77,200, reflecting the value of this expertise.

7. What type of accountant gets paid the most?

The highest paying accounting careers typically include roles such as Financial Controller, CMA, and Chartered Accountant. For a Junior Cost Accountant, the salary ranges from $62,700 to $77,200, with a midpoint of $69,500. While this is competitive, more senior positions generally offer higher compensation.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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