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General Accountant III Salary in the United States

How much does a General Accountant III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a General Accountant III in the United States is $83,870 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $95,524
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $76,840 to $89,970
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,440
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence General Accountant III Salaries

A General Accountant III'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 General Accountant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a General Accountant III'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 Accountant (0-2 years): $62,258
  • Financial Accountant II (2-4 years): $72,361
  • General Accountant III (4-7 years): $83,869
  • Specialist Accountant (7+ years): $99,968
  • General Accountant V (7-10 years): $140,907
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Accountant0-2 years$62,258
Financial Accountant II2-4 years$72,361
General Accountant III4-7 years$83,869
Specialist Accountant7+ years$99,968
General Accountant V7-10 years$140,907
View as Graph

How Do General Accountant III 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 General Accountant IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $92,860.
  • California: $92,510.
  • Massachusetts: $91,280.

Top Paying Cities for General Accountant IIIs

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: $105,790
  • San Francisco: $104,630
  • Oakland: $102,430

What Skills Can Increase a General Accountant III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.26% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Accounts Receivable (Mentioned in 2.34% Job Postings): Accounts receivable is a legally enforceable claim for payment held by a business for goods supplied and/or services rendered that customers/clients have ordered but not paid for. These are generally in the form of invoices raised by a business and delivered to the customer for payment within an agreed time frame. Accounts receivable is shown in a balance sheet as an asset. It is one of a series of accounting transactions dealing with the billing of a customer for goods and services that the customer has ordered. These may be distinguished from notes receivable, which are debts created through formal legal instruments called promissory notes.
  • Internal Control (Mentioned in 1.19% Job Postings): Internal control, as defined by accounting and auditing, is a process for assuring of an organization's objectives in operational effectiveness and efficiency, reliable financial reporting, and compliance with laws, regulations and policies.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.26%
Accounts Receivable 2.34%
Internal Control 1.19%
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 General Accountant III's salary.

  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Internal Control: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Leadership $87,225
4%
Initiative $87,225
4%
Internal Control $87,225
4%
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General Accountant III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

General Accountant III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $93,728. While startup companies pay approximate $79,285.

General Accountant III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $79,285
Growth Stage 51~500 $83,851
Established 501~5000 $90,507
Enterprise 5000+ $93,728

General Accountant III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For General Accountant III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 37% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, General Accountant positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view General Accountant III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a General Accountant III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$100,644$48.020%
Software & Networking$98,967$48.018%
Energy & Utilities$96,450$46.015%
Internet$93,934$45.012%
Chemicals$92,257$44.010%

How Education impacts a General Accountant III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many General Accountant IIIs 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 General Accountant III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $87,352 and $92,261).

General Accountant III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for General Accountant III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 3.5%
Associates 4.9%
Bachelors 60.2%
Masters 30.3%
Doctorate 0.4%
View as Graph

General Accountant III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a General Accountant III'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
$76,840
Average $83,870/year
$89,970
$6,403
Average $6,989/month
$7,498
$1,478
Average $1,613/week
$1,730
$37
Average $40/hour
$43
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $89,970 $7,498 $1,730 $43
Average $83,870 $6,989 $1,613 $40
25th Percentile $76,840 $6,403 $1,478 $37

General Accountant III Salary Growth & Career Path

General Accountant III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a General Accountant III, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Bookkeeping/Accounting Manager $74,100 -12%
Specialist Accountant $100,000 19%
Plant General and Cost Accounting Manager $117,400 40%

Most common benefits for General Accountant III

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

Common company salaries for General Accountant III

Here are companies hiring for General Accountant III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about General Accountant III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for General Accountant III?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for General Accountant III roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What is level 3 qualification equivalent to in the US?

A Level 3 qualification in the UK is equivalent to A-levels, BTEC National Diploma, NVQ Level 3, and Advanced Apprenticeship. In the US, it corresponds to a High School Diploma or GED. For a General Accountant position, salaries range from $83,250 to $101,770, with a midpoint of $91,930, reflecting the value of such qualifications in the job market.

3. What do the top 10% of accountants make?

Accountants, responsible for maintaining and analyzing financial records, earn a median annual salary of $91,930. Salaries can vary significantly; the bottom 10% earn less than $83,250, while the top 10% earn $101,770 or more.

4. What does an accountant III do?

ACCOUNTANT III. DEFINITION: Performs responsible and highly complex professional accounting and auditing work in the preparation, analysis, review, maintenance, reconciliation, and control of financial records, as well as fiscal revenue and expenditures forecasting. The salary for this position ranges from $83,250 to $101,770, with a midpoint of $91,930.

5. What is a senior GL accountant?

A Senior General Ledger (GL) Accountant is responsible for managing financial reports, records, and general ledgers. This role involves preparing and analyzing budgets, performing general accounting tasks, and preparing journal entries for revenue, accruals, and reconciliations. The salary for this position typically ranges from $83,250 to $101,770, with a midpoint of $91,930.

6. Can you make $500,000 a year as an accountant?

While the average salary for a General Accountant ranges from $83,250 to $101,770, making $500,000 a year is rare. Achieving such a high income is more feasible through owning a firm rather than working for large public accounting firms or corporate jobs. Strategies for success will differ significantly between solo practices and larger firms.

7. Do all CPAs make 6 figures?

Not all CPAs make six figures. Based on salary data for General Accountants, the minimum salary is $83,250, the mid-salary is $91,930, and the maximum salary is $101,770. While some senior CPAs in management may earn six figures, many earn in the high five figures.

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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