Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Accountant III Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Accountant III in the United States is $83,869 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $95,511
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $76,837 to $89,963
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,435
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Accountant III Salaries

An 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 Accountant III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an 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:

  • 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 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 Accountant IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $92,860.
  • California: $92,508.
  • Massachusetts: $91,275.

Top Paying Cities for 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: $105,784
  • San Francisco: $104,626
  • Oakland: $102,421

What Skills Can Increase an 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 an 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 $87,224
4%
Initiative $87,224
4%
Internal Control $87,224
4%
Get Latest Data

Accountant III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Accountant III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $93,727. While startup companies pay approximate $79,284.

Accountant III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $79,284
Growth Stage 51~500 $83,850
Established 501~5000 $90,505
Enterprise 5000+ $93,727

Accountant III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For 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, Accountant positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Accountant III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Accountant III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$100,643$48.020%
Software & Networking$98,965$48.018%
Energy & Utilities$96,449$46.015%
Internet$93,933$45.012%
Chemicals$92,256$44.010%

How Education impacts an Accountant III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Accountant III 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 III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $87,777 and $92,711.

Accountant III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for 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

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

Understanding how an 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
$76,837
Average $83,869/year
$89,963
$6,403
Average $6,989/month
$7,497
$1,478
Average $1,613/week
$1,730
$37
Average $40/hour
$43
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $89,963 $7,497 $1,730 $43
Average $83,869 $6,989 $1,613 $40
25th Percentile $76,837 $6,403 $1,478 $37

Accountant III Salary Growth & Career Path

Accountant III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an 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 Manager $74,064 -12%
Accountant IV $99,968 19%
Plant Controller $117,381 40%

Most common benefits for Accountant III

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

Common company salaries for Accountant III

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

Find Your Next Accountant III Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Accountant III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Accountant III

1. Where can an Accountant III earn the most?

An Accountant III'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 III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Accountant III is $105,784.

2. What is the highest pay for Accountant III?

The highest pay for Accountant III is $95,511.

3. What is the lowest pay for Accountant III?

The lowest pay for Accountant III is $70,435.

4. What are the responsibilities of Accountant III?

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. Prepares complex balance sheets, profit and loss statements and other financial reports. Analyzes current costs, revenues, financial commitments, and obligations incurred to predict future revenues and expenses. May guide or review the work of support staff. Requires a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance. May require Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credentials. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4 -7 years of related experience.

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

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

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job