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 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): $62,256
Accountant II (2-4 years): $72,363
Accountant III (4-7 years): $83,868
Accountant IV (7+ years): $99,963
Accountant V (7-10 years): $140,919
Job Role
Years of Experience
Average Salary
Accountant I
0-2 years
$62,256
Accountant II
2-4 years
$72,363
Accountant III
4-7 years
$83,868
Accountant IV
7+ years
$99,963
Accountant V
7-10 years
$140,919
$62,256Accountan...
$72,363Accountan...
$83,868Accountan...
$99,963Accountan...
$140,919Accountan...
View as Table
View as Graph
What Am I Worth?
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:
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: $78,523
San Francisco: $77,664
Oakland: $76,027
San Jose, CA$78,523
San Francisco, CA$77,664
Oakland, CA$76,027
New York, NY$71,681
Paramus, NJ$70,809
Queens Village, NY$70,806
Passaic, NJ$70,747
Bergenfield, NJ$70,741
Stamford, CT$70,605
Huntington, NY$70,579
Newark, NJ$70,119
Bridgeport, CT$69,988
Vallejo, CA$69,864
New Brunswick, NJ$69,839
Petaluma, CA$69,801
Middlesex, NJ$69,683
Somerset, NJ$69,640
Santa Cruz, CA$69,559
Boston, MA$69,179
Monterey, CA$68,960
Seattle, WA$68,818
Santa Rosa, CA$68,805
Los Angeles, CA$68,787
Juneau, AK$68,625
Washington, DC$68,556
Orange, CA$68,335
Santa Ana, CA$68,170
Long Beach, CA$68,108
Anaheim, CA$68,096
Anchorage, AK$68,064
Santa Maria, CA$67,878
Everett, WA$67,865
Danbury, CT$67,646
Bremerton, WA$67,560
Tacoma, WA$67,336
New Suffolk, NY$67,335
Sacramento, CA$67,317
Santa Barbara, CA$67,249
Trenton, NJ$67,180
San Diego, CA$67,180
Brockton, MA$67,112
Fairbanks, AK$66,959
Lompoc, CA$66,801
Lowell, MA$66,750
Ventura, CA$66,738
Nashua, NH$66,726
Stockton, CA$66,720
Modesto, CA$66,265
Poughkeepsie, NY$66,128
Olympia, WA$66,010
Kennewick, WA$66,010
New Haven, CT$65,985
Lawrence, MA$65,761
Hartford, CT$65,699
Riverside, CA$65,686
New Bedford, MA$65,624
Richland, WA$65,624
Bakersfield, CA$65,537
San Bernardino, CA$65,512
New Britain, CT$65,506
Atlantic City, NJ$65,506
New London, CT$65,481
Norwich, CT$65,462
Portsmouth, NH$65,450
Boulder, CO$65,318
Portland, OR$65,232
Worcester, MA$65,226
Minneapolis, MN$65,033
Philadelphia, PA$64,945
Honolulu, HI$64,740
Saint Paul, MN$64,710
Vineland, NJ$64,696
Providence, RI$64,516
Chicago, IL$64,335
Bellingham, WA$64,261
Springfield, MA$64,211
Baltimore, MD$64,192
Chico, CA$64,037
Pittsfield, MA$63,868
Manchester, NH$63,750
Spokane, WA$63,476
Denver, CO$63,470
Albany, NY$63,177
Troy, NY$63,152
Nassau, NY$63,086
Schenectady, NY$63,022
Wilmington, DE$62,972
Burlington, VT$62,885
Salem, OR$62,860
Portland, ME$62,667
Yakima, WA$62,605
Rochester, MN$62,412
Reno, NV$62,381
Fresno, CA$62,381
Milwaukee, WI$62,324
Detroit, MI$62,262
Ann Arbor, MI$62,252
Allentown, PA$62,244
Colorado Springs, CO$62,138
Syracuse, NY$62,107
Carson City, NV$62,107
Houston, TX$62,019
Eugene, OR$61,988
Gary, IN$61,914
Springfield, OR$61,864
Bismarck, ND$61,851
Galveston, TX$61,808
Medford, OR$61,714
Fort Collins, CO$61,689
Concord, NH$61,658
Austin, TX$61,640
Mesa, AZ$61,509
Reading, PA$61,503
Phoenix, AZ$61,496
Dallas, TX$61,478
Saint Cloud, MN$61,418
Madison, WI$61,335
Utica, NY$61,167
Rochester, NY$61,067
Des Moines, IA$61,061
Raleigh, NC$61,054
Atlanta, GA$60,961
Battle Creek, MI$60,942
Salt Lake City, UT$60,924
Lancaster, PA$60,830
Harrisburg, PA$60,743
Kansas City, MO$60,681
Champaign, IL$60,668
Kansas City, KS$60,668
Fort Worth, TX$60,662
Columbus, OH$60,652
Boca Raton, FL$60,637
Pittsburgh, PA$60,612
Richmond, VA$60,588
Indianapolis, IN$60,575
Cleveland, OH$60,569
Las Vegas, NV$60,494
Cincinnati, OH$60,494
Petersburg, VA$60,401
Huntsville, AL$60,307
Lansing, MI$60,266
Lebanon, PA$60,258
Pueblo, CO$60,251
Appleton, WI$60,233
Buffalo, NY$60,208
Dayton, OH$60,189
Racine, WI$60,177
Charlotte, NC$60,170
Saint Louis, MO$60,152
York, PA$60,114
Elkhart, IN$60,114
Gastonia, NC$60,103
Billings, MT$60,088
Beaumont, TX$60,071
Lorain, OH$60,058
Benton Harbor, MI$60,046
Toledo, OH$60,033
Binghamton, NY$60,002
Rock Hill, SC$59,996
Rockford, IL$59,965
Springfield, IL$59,940
Elyria, OH$59,934
Fargo, ND$59,934
Flagstaff, AZ$59,890
Fort Lauderdale, FL$59,853
Duluth, MN$59,816
Miami, FL$59,816
Cheyenne, WY$59,772
Grand Forks, ND$59,772
Bangor, ME$59,635
Cedar Rapids, IA$59,567
Durham, NC$59,540
Louisville, KY$59,535
Grand Rapids, MI$59,523
Hialeah, FL$59,517
Casper, WY$59,430
Scranton, PA$59,355
New Orleans, LA$59,336
Virginia Beach, VA$59,330
Akron, OH$59,299
Peoria, IL$59,218
Sarasota, FL$59,205
Nashville, TN$59,162
Omaha, NE$59,162
Green Bay, WI$59,162
Baton Rouge, LA$59,131
Charleston, SC$59,118
Jamestown, NY$59,087
Davenport, IA$59,087
Tucson, AZ$59,056
Saint Petersburg, FL$59,019
Tampa, FL$59,006
Evansville, IN$58,969
Port Arthur, TX$58,969
Bradenton, FL$58,944
Santa Fe, NM$58,832
Orlando, FL$58,720
Clearwater, FL$58,701
Canton, OH$58,570
La Crosse, WI$58,570
Albuquerque, NM$58,533
Newport News, VA$58,527
High Point, NC$58,508
Ogden, UT$58,483
Corpus Christi, TX$58,433
Norfolk, VA$58,396
Laramie, WY$58,396
Rock Island, IL$58,359
Saginaw, MI$58,346
Jacksonville, FL$58,340
Salisbury, NC$58,328
Boise, ID$58,315
Moline, IL$58,284
Fort Myers, FL$58,265
Memphis, TN$58,253
Tulsa, OK$58,222
Waterloo, IA$58,184
Spartanburg, SC$58,122
Lincoln, NE$58,091
Fort Wayne, IN$58,079
Provo, UT$58,072
Cedar Falls, IA$57,998
San Antonio, TX$57,973
Greensboro, NC$57,948
South Bend, IN$57,942
Savannah, GA$57,873
Muskegon, MI$57,848
Birmingham, AL$57,842
Winston Salem, NC$57,812
Lake Charles, LA$57,662
Anderson, IN$57,649
Lexington, KY$57,630
Augusta, GA$57,612
Greenville, SC$57,612
Lima, OH$57,562
Wichita, KS$57,556
Tuscaloosa, AL$57,556
Columbia, SC$57,500
Springfield, OH$57,487
Asheville, NC$57,388
Bloomington, IN$57,344
Knoxville, TN$57,120
Shreveport, LA$57,114
Wilmington, NC$57,033
Roanoke, VA$57,033
Topeka, KS$56,921
Frankfort, KY$56,914
Oklahoma City, OK$56,871
Chillicothe, OH$56,846
Longview, TX$56,840
Melbourne, FL$56,834
Sioux Falls, SD$56,734
Mobile, AL$56,728
Terre Haute, IN$56,703
Altoona, PA$56,665
Amarillo, TX$56,622
Killeen, TX$56,603
Fayetteville, AR$56,553
Chattanooga, TN$56,535
Sioux City, IA$56,479
Idaho Falls, ID$56,466
Lynchburg, VA$56,416
Gainesville, FL$56,335
Portsmouth, OH$56,304
Little Rock, AR$56,292
Lafayette, LA$56,267
Youngstown, OH$56,267
Daytona Beach, FL$56,230
Clarksville, TN$56,223
Pensacola, FL$56,217
Temple, TX$56,213
Hopkinsville, KY$56,030
Erie, PA$56,018
Florence, SC$55,993
Charleston, WV$55,893
Great Falls, MT$55,862
Macon, GA$55,775
Tallahassee, FL$55,769
Fayetteville, NC$55,756
Waco, TX$55,744
Helena, MT$55,700
Pine Bluff, AR$55,677
Vincennes, IN$55,601
Lubbock, TX$55,576
Alamogordo, NM$55,539
Twin Falls, ID$55,483
Rapid City, SD$55,464
Jackson, MS$55,352
Huntington, WV$55,347
Greenville, MS$55,346
Parkersburg, WV$55,282
Montgomery, AL$55,271
Wichita Falls, TX$55,209
Springfield, MO$55,209
Biloxi, MS$55,177
Monroe, LA$55,115
Johnstown, PA$55,072
Sumter, SC$55,047
Columbus, GA$55,041
Pascagoula, MS$54,922
Abilene, TX$54,922
Kingsport, TN$54,760
Albany, GA$54,760
Gulfport, MS$54,742
Alexandria, LA$54,536
Fort Smith, AR$54,381
El Paso, TX$54,213
Las Cruces, NM$53,932
Harlingen, TX$53,774
Pocatello, ID$53,764
Florence, AL$53,683
Brownsville, TX$53,671
Mcallen, TX$53,540
Dothan, AL$53,453
Columbus, MS$53,083
Altus, OK$52,793
Lawton, OK$52,675
Pierre, SD$52,451
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.
See More Skills
Skills
Demand Percentage
Analysis
5.06%
CPA
2.85%
Bookkeeping
1.48%
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
$65,991
6%
Leadership
$65,991
6%
Collaboration
$64,746
4%
Initiative
$64,746
4%
Analysis
$64,746
4%
Finance and Accounting
$64,746
4%
Get Latest Data
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 $69,633.
While startup companies pay approximate $58,889.
Accountant I Salary by Company Size
Company Size
Employees
Average Salary
Startup
1~50
$58,889
Growth Stage
51~500
$62,284
Established
501~5000
$67,244
Enterprise
5000+
$69,633
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
$84,046
$40.0
35%
Financial Services
$80,933
$39.0
30%
Biotechnology
$77,820
$37.0
25%
Pharmaceuticals
$77,820
$37.0
25%
Energy & Utilities
$74,707
$36.0
20%
How Education impacts an Accountant I's Salary?
Your level of education can impact your salary potential.
While many Accountant Is 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 Accountant I with a Associate's Degree is between
$59,751
and $63,023).
Accountant I Salaries by Degree Level
Typical Education for Accountant I
No Diploma3.8%
High School7.3%
Associates10.9%
Bachelors59.5%
Masters17.7%
Doctorate0.8%
view as table
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.
Hourly
Monthly
Weekly
Yearly
Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$56,889
Average$62,256/year
$67,163
$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
$67,163
$5,597
$1,292
$32
Average
$62,256
$5,188
$1,197
$30
25th Percentile
$56,889
$4,741
$1,094
$27
Accountant I Salary Growth & Career Path
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.
Salaries for an Accountant I can change over time,
reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy.
The median salary decreased from $55,452 in 2023
to around $55,152 in 2025,
reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy.
For a detailed analysis of Accountant I salary trends,
.
Average Annual Salary of Accountant I Over Time
2022
$???
2023
$55,452
2024
$55,364
2025
$55,152
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year
Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023
$55,452
2024
$55,364
2025
$55,152
2026
View More
2027
View More
Most common benefits for Accountant I
Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Accountant I
Here are companies hiring for Accountant I and their salaries, click below for more details.
C
$128,509/per year
C R Bard Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
H
$124,697/per year
Henry Schein Canada
Biotechnology
the United States
N
$123,899/per year
Nordex Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
N
$120,416/per year
Nipro Corp
Biotechnology
the United States
E
$115,870/per year
Enovis
Biotechnology
the United States
A
$114,553/per year
Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy
Biotechnology
the United States
M
$112,110/per year
MiniMed Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
L
$111,500/per year
Labcorp Drug Development
Biotechnology
the United States
L
$110,229/per year
Life Technologies Corp
Biotechnology
the United States
Z
$106,224/per year
Zimmer Biomet
Biotechnology
the United States
P
$103,077/per year
Promontory Therapeutics
Biotechnology
the United States
S
$102,181/per year
Steris PLC
Biotechnology
the United States
G
$97,274/per year
Gavin Conferences Pty Ltd
Biotechnology
the United States
E
$94,764/per year
Endeavor BioMedicines
Biotechnology
the United States
R
$94,402/per year
Replay Holdings LLC
Biotechnology
the United States
P
$94,235/per year
Pleno Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
S
$93,666/per year
Simulaids Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
N
$88,880/per year
NOIRLab/CAS
Biotechnology
the United States
O
$86,468/per year
Onward Technology
Biotechnology
the United States
L
$84,895/per year
LED Medical Diagnostics Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
E
$84,682/per year
Eyeco Ltd
Biotechnology
the United States
P
$84,523/per year
Paerosol
Biotechnology
the United States
I
$83,525/per year
IONIQ Sciences Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
S
$82,815/per year
Stateside PPE
Biotechnology
the United States
D
$82,041/per year
Digi Bio
Biotechnology
the United States
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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 $78,523.
2. What is the highest pay for Accountant I?
The highest pay for Accountant I is $71,631.
3. What is the lowest pay for Accountant I?
The lowest pay for Accountant I is $52,003.
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.
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