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Hourly Wage for Entry Level Staff Accountant Salary in the United States

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for Entry Level Staff Accountant?

As of October 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for an Entry Level Staff Accountant in the United States is $30, which translates to an annual salary of about $62,301.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $34 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $27 to $32 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $25 per hour
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Entry Level Staff Accountant Salaries

An Entry Level Staff Accountant'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 Entry Level Staff Accountant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Level Staff Accountant'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:

  • Entry Level Staff Accountant (0-2 years): $62,258
  • Financial Accountant II (2-4 years): $72,360
  • Financial Accountant III (4-7 years): $86,325
  • Specialist Accountant (7+ years): $99,970
  • General Accountant V (7-10 years): $140,902
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Level Staff Accountant0-2 years$62,258
Financial Accountant II2-4 years$72,360
Financial Accountant III4-7 years$86,325
Specialist Accountant7+ years$99,970
General Accountant V7-10 years$140,902
View as Graph

How Do Entry Level Staff Accountant 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 Entry Level Staff Accountants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $69,001.
  • California: $68,701.
  • Massachusetts: $67,801.

Top Paying Cities for Entry Level Staff Accountants

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: $78,601
  • San Francisco: $77,701
  • Oakland: $76,101

What Skills Can Increase an Entry Level Staff Accountant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.06% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • CPA (Mentioned in 2.85% Job Postings): A CPA, or Certified Public Accountant, is a trusted financial advisor who helps individuals, businesses, and other organizations plan and reach their financial goals.
  • Bookkeeping (Mentioned in 1.48% Job Postings): Bookkeeping is the recording of financial transactions, and is part of the process of accounting in business. Transactions include purchases, sales, receipts, and payments by an individual person or an organization/corporation. There are several standard methods of bookkeeping, including the single-entry and double-entry bookkeeping systems. While these may be viewed as "real" bookkeeping, any process for recording financial transactions is a bookkeeping process. Bookkeeping is the work of a bookkeeper (or book-keeper), who records the day-to-day financial transactions of a business. They usually write the daybooks (which contain records of sales, purchases, receipts, and payments), and document each financial transaction, whether cash or credit, into the correct daybook—that is, petty cash book, suppliers ledger, customer ledger, etc.—and the general ledger. Thereafter, an accountant can create financial reports from the information recorded by the bookkeeper.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.06%
CPA 2.85%
Bookkeeping 1.48%
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 an Entry Level Staff Accountant's salary.

  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coordination $66,039
6%
Leadership $66,039
6%
Collaboration $64,793
4%
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Entry Level Staff Accountant Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Entry Level Staff Accountant salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $69,553. While startup companies pay approximate $58,893.

Entry Level Staff Accountant Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $58,893
Growth Stage 51~500 $62,272
Established 501~5000 $67,158
Enterprise 5000+ $69,553

Entry Level Staff Accountant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Entry Level Staff Accountant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 110% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Entry Level Staff Accountant positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Level Staff Accountant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Entry Level Staff Accountant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$84,106$40.035%
Financial Services$80,991$39.030%
Biotechnology$77,876$37.025%
Pharmaceuticals$77,876$37.025%
Energy & Utilities$74,761$36.020%

How Education impacts an Entry Level Staff Accountant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Level Staff Accountants enter the field with a Associate'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 an Entry Level Staff Accountant with a Associate's Degree is between $59,474 and $62,734).

Entry Level Staff Accountant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Entry Level Staff Accountant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.8%
High School 7.3%
Associates 10.9%
Bachelors 59.5%
Masters 17.7%
Doctorate 0.8%
View as Graph

Entry Level Staff Accountant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Entry Level Staff Accountant'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 October 01, 2026
$56,901
Average $62,301/year
$67,201
$4,742
Average $5,192/month
$5,600
$1,094
Average $1,198/week
$1,292
$27
Average $30/hour
$32
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $67,201 $5,600 $1,292 $32
Average $62,301 $5,192 $1,198 $30
25th Percentile $56,901 $4,742 $1,094 $27

Most common benefits for Entry Level Staff Accountant

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

Common company salaries for Entry Level Staff Accountant

Here are companies hiring for Entry Level Staff Accountant and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Entry Level Staff Accountant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Entry Level Staff Accountant?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Entry Level Staff Accountant roles, with salaries approximately 35% above the market median.

2. Can I make 500k as an accountant?

While it's unlikely for an entry-level staff accountant to earn $500k, salaries typically range from $58,001 to $70,101. Achieving higher earnings is more feasible with experience, specialization, or by running your own firm. In larger firms, reaching such high salaries usually takes years of advancement and expertise.

3. What is the minimum salary of an Accountant in us?

The minimum salary for an Entry Level Staff Accountant in the US is $58,001. The salary range for this position typically falls between $58,001 and $70,101, with a mid-salary of $63,701.

4. What is the rank of a staff accountant?

A Staff Accountant is a mid-level accounting position that sits between junior and senior accountants. In public accounting firms, it may be considered entry-level. Staff accountants usually hold bachelor's degrees but are not always Certified Public Accountants. The salary for this role ranges from $58,001 to $70,101, with a midpoint of $63,701.

5. Is $40,000 a good entry-level salary?

Earning $40,000 a year is below the typical range for an entry-level Staff Accountant, where salaries start at $58,001 and can go up to $70,101. While it may suffice for someone with low expenses, it falls short of the industry standard. For a more comfortable financial situation, aiming for a salary closer to the mid-range of $63,701 would be advisable.

6. How much does a staff accountant at American Airlines make?

The estimated total pay range for an Entry Level Staff Accountant at American Airlines is approximately $58K–$70K per year. This includes a minimum salary of $58,001, a mid-range salary of $63,701, and a maximum salary of $70,101. Consider creating an anonymous post to gather feedback on your pay from other professionals.

7. What is the beginning salary for an Accountant?

The beginning salary for an Entry Level Staff Accountant typically ranges from $58,001 to $70,101 annually, with a mid-salary of $63,701. This indicates a competitive compensation package for those starting in the accounting field.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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