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Accountant I Salary in the United States

How much does an Accountant I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Accountant I in the United States is $62,258 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $71,633
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $56,887 to $67,165
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $51,997
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Accountant I Salaries

An Accountant I'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 Accountant I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Accountant I'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:

  • Accountant I (0-2 years): $62,258
  • Accountant II (2-4 years): $72,361
  • Accountant III (4-7 years): $83,869
  • Accountant IV (7+ years): $99,968
  • Accountant V (7-10 years): $140,907
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Accountant I0-2 years$62,258
Accountant II2-4 years$72,361
Accountant III4-7 years$83,869
Accountant IV7+ years$99,968
Accountant V7-10 years$140,907
View as Graph

How Do Accountant I 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 Accountant Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $68,932.
  • California: $68,671.
  • Massachusetts: $67,755.

Top Paying Cities for Accountant Is

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: $78,526
  • San Francisco: $77,666
  • Oakland: $76,029

What Skills Can Increase an Accountant I'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 Accountant I'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 $65,993
6%
Leadership $65,993
6%
Collaboration $64,748
4%
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Accountant I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Accountant I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $69,576. While startup companies pay approximate $58,854.

Accountant I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $58,854
Growth Stage 51~500 $62,244
Established 501~5000 $67,184
Enterprise 5000+ $69,576

Accountant I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industries for an Accountant I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$84,048$40.035%
Financial Services$80,935$39.030%
Biotechnology$77,822$37.025%
Pharmaceuticals$77,822$37.025%
Energy & Utilities$74,710$36.020%

How Education impacts an Accountant I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Accountant I enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Accountant I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $60,674 and $63,850.

Accountant I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Accountant I
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

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

Understanding how an Accountant I'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
$56,887
Average $62,258/year
$67,165
$4,741
Average $5,188/month
$5,597
$1,094
Average $1,197/week
$1,292
$27
Average $30/hour
$32
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $67,165 $5,597 $1,292 $32
Average $62,258 $5,188 $1,197 $30
25th Percentile $56,887 $4,741 $1,094 $27

Accountant I Salary Growth & Career Path

Accountant I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Accountant I, 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 Manager $74,064 19%
Accountant II $72,361 16%
Plant Accountant $82,136 32%

Most common benefits for Accountant I

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

Common company salaries for Accountant I

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

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FAQ about Accountant I

1. Where can an Accountant I earn the most?

An Accountant I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Accountant I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Accountant I is $78,526.

2. What is the highest pay for Accountant I?

The highest pay for Accountant I is $71,633.

3. What is the lowest pay for Accountant I?

The lowest pay for Accountant I is $51,997.

4. What are the responsibilities of Accountant I?

Maintains financial records and ensures that financial transactions are properly recorded. Ensures the accuracy of entries to ledger accounts and reconciles subsidiary ledger accounts to the general ledger. Compiles financial data to aid more senior accountants in the preparation of balance sheets, profit and loss statements and other financial reports. Assists in analyzing current costs, revenues, financial commitments, and obligations incurred to predict future revenues and expenses. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Accountant I?

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

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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