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Hourly Wage for Intermediate Accountant Salary in the United States

How much does an Intermediate Accountant make hourly?

As of September 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for an Intermediate Accountant in the United States is $35, which translates to an annual salary of about $72,390.

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): $40 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $32 to $37 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $29 per hour
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Intermediate Accountant Salaries

An Intermediate 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 Intermediate Accountant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Intermediate 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 Accountant (0-2 years): $62,258
  • Intermediate Accountant (2-4 years): $72,361
  • Financial 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
Intermediate Accountant2-4 years$72,361
Financial Accountant III4-7 years$83,869
Specialist Accountant7+ years$99,968
General Accountant V7-10 years$140,907
View as Graph

How Do Intermediate 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 Intermediate Accountants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $80,190.
  • California: $79,890.
  • Massachusetts: $78,790.

Top Paying Cities for Intermediate 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: $91,290
  • San Francisco: $90,290
  • Oakland: $88,390

What Skills Can Increase an Intermediate Accountant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.15% 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 2.4% 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 1.18% 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 5.15%
Accounts Receivable 2.4%
Internal Control 1.18%
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 Intermediate Accountant's salary.

  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Revenue Recognition: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Leadership $76,010
5%
Consulting $76,010
5%
Revenue Recognition $76,010
5%
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Intermediate Accountant Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Intermediate Accountant salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $80,899. While startup companies pay approximate $68,432.

Intermediate Accountant Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $68,432
Growth Stage 51~500 $72,374
Established 501~5000 $78,118
Enterprise 5000+ $80,899

Intermediate Accountant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Intermediate Accountant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Intermediate Accountant positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Intermediate Accountant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Intermediate Accountant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$90,488$44.025%
Energy & Utilities$86,868$42.020%
Internet$85,420$41.018%
Aerospace & Defense$79,629$38.010%
Chemicals$79,629$38.010%

How Education impacts an Intermediate Accountant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Intermediate 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 Intermediate Accountant with a Associate's Degree is between $70,256 and $74,205).

Intermediate Accountant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Intermediate Accountant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.1%
High School 5.2%
Associates 8.4%
Bachelors 61.2%
Masters 23.6%
Doctorate 0.5%
View as Graph

Intermediate Accountant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Intermediate 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 September 01, 2026
$65,690
Average $72,390/year
$77,890
$5,474
Average $6,033/month
$6,491
$1,263
Average $1,392/week
$1,498
$32
Average $35/hour
$37
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $77,890 $6,491 $1,498 $37
Average $72,390 $6,033 $1,392 $35
25th Percentile $65,690 $5,474 $1,263 $32

Most common benefits for Intermediate Accountant

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

Common company salaries for Intermediate Accountant

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

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FAQ about Intermediate Accountant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Intermediate Accountant?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Intermediate Accountant roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. How much is an accountant paid in the USA?

How Much Does an Accountant Make in the US? The average salary for an Intermediate Accountant in the US ranges from $67,190 to $82,190, with a mid-salary of $74,290. Additional cash compensation may vary, but the total compensation typically reflects these base salary figures.

3. What is the intermediate level in accounting?

Intermediate accounting is a level that delves into more complex transactions beyond basic financial and managerial accounting. It emphasizes understanding and applying accounting principles to challenging scenarios, often related to auditing. Salaries for intermediate accountants typically range from $67,190 to $82,190, with a median salary of $74,290.

4. How much is an accountant paid in USA per month?

An Intermediate Accountant in the USA typically earns an annual salary ranging from $67,190 to $82,190. This translates to a monthly pay between approximately $5,599 and $6,849. The average salary for this position is around $74,290, which equates to about $6,191 per month.

5. What is an intermediate accountant?

An intermediate accountant is responsible for various financial tasks, including daily ledger balancing, preparing sales and marginal reports, and generating operating expense reports regularly. The salary for this role typically ranges from $67,190 to $82,190, with a mid-level salary of approximately $74,290, reflecting the expertise and responsibilities involved.

6. Is intermediate accounting the hardest?

Intermediate accounting is often considered one of the most challenging courses in accounting or finance programs. Many students and instructors agree on its difficulty due to the complex concepts and rigorous coursework involved. However, mastering this subject can lead to rewarding career opportunities, with salaries ranging from $67,190 to $82,190 for intermediate accountants.

7. Can accountants make 7 figures?

While accountants typically earn between $67,190 and $82,190, advancing in the field can lead to six-figure salaries. To reach these higher pay grades, consider obtaining a master's degree in accounting, which can enhance your qualifications and boost your earning potential significantly.

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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