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Junior Accountant Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Junior Accountant in the United States is $62,273 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $71,653
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $56,903 to $67,183
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $52,014
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Junior Accountant Salaries

A Junior 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 Junior Accountant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Junior 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:

  • Junior Accountant (0-2 years): $62,258
  • Financial Accountant II (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
Junior Accountant0-2 years$62,258
Financial Accountant II2-4 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 Junior 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 Junior Accountants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $68,953.
  • California: $68,693.
  • Massachusetts: $67,773.

Top Paying Cities for Junior 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: $78,543
  • San Francisco: $77,683
  • Oakland: $76,043

What Skills Can Increase a Junior 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 a Junior 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 $66,009
6%
Leadership $66,009
6%
Collaboration $64,764
4%
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Junior Accountant Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Junior Accountant salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $69,593. While startup companies pay approximate $58,868.

Junior Accountant Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $58,868
Growth Stage 51~500 $62,259
Established 501~5000 $67,201
Enterprise 5000+ $69,593

Junior Accountant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Junior 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, Junior Accountant positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Junior Accountant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Junior Accountant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$84,069$40.035%
Financial Services$80,955$39.030%
Biotechnology$77,841$37.025%
Pharmaceuticals$77,841$37.025%
Energy & Utilities$74,728$36.020%

How Education impacts a Junior Accountant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Junior 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 a Junior Accountant with a Associate's Degree is between $59,476 and $62,736).

Junior Accountant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Junior 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

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

Understanding how a Junior 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
$56,903
Average $62,273/year
$67,183
$4,742
Average $5,189/month
$5,599
$1,094
Average $1,198/week
$1,292
$27
Average $30/hour
$32
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $67,183 $5,599 $1,292 $32
Average $62,273 $5,189 $1,198 $30
25th Percentile $56,903 $4,742 $1,094 $27

Junior Accountant Salary Growth & Career Path

Junior Accountant

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Junior Accountant, 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 19%
Financial Accountant II $72,400 16%
Manufacturing Plant Accountant $82,200 32%

Most common benefits for Junior Accountant

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

Common company salaries for Junior Accountant

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

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FAQ about Junior Accountant

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

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

2. What is a junior accountant called?

A Junior Accountant, also known as an Assistant Accountant, supports the accounting department with daily tasks such as preparing financial statements, issuing receipts and invoices, and updating the financial database. The salary for this role typically ranges from $58,013 to $70,033, with a median salary of $63,673.

3. Who earns more CPA or CA in USA?

In the USA, CPAs generally earn more than CAs. For entry-level positions, CPAs earn between $60,000 and $70,000, while CAs earn around $40,000 to $50,000. Mid-level CPAs can make $80,000 to $100,000 compared to CAs' $55,000 to $70,000. Senior-level CPAs can earn $120,000 or more, while CAs earn $80,000 to $100,000.

4. Do accountants make good money?

Accountants can earn a competitive salary, with Junior Accountants making between $58,013 and $70,033 annually. The average salary is around $63,673. Top-paying regions for accountants include Washington D.C., New York, New Jersey, California, and Massachusetts, where salaries may be even higher.

5. What is the lowest level of accountant?

The lowest level of accountant is typically a Junior Accountant. This role often involves tasks such as maintaining financial records and assisting with audits. The salary for a Junior Accountant ranges from $58,013 to $70,033, with a median salary of $63,673, reflecting the entry-level nature of the position in the accounting field.

6. What are your salary expectations as a junior Accountant?

As a Junior Accountant, my salary expectations are aligned with industry standards. I am looking for a salary in the range of $58,013 to $70,033 annually, with a midpoint of approximately $63,673. This range reflects my skills and the value I can bring to your team.

7. What is the minimum salary of an accountant in us?

The minimum salary for a Junior Accountant in the U.S. is $58,013 per year. The average salary is around $63,673, while the maximum salary can reach up to $70,033 annually.

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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