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Accounting Clerk I Salary in the United States

How much does an Accounting Clerk I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Accounting Clerk I in the United States is $42,887 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $48,030
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $38,403 to $45,579
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $34,321
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Accounting Clerk I Salaries

An Accounting Clerk 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 Accounting Clerk I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Accounting Clerk 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:

  • Accounting Clerk I (0-1 years): $42,887
  • Accounting Clerk II (1-3 years): $48,665
  • Accounting Clerk III (3-5 years): $54,753
  • Accounting Clerk IV (5-7 years): $61,167
  • Accounting Supervisor (7+ years): $89,565
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Accounting Clerk I0-1 years$42,887
Accounting Clerk II1-3 years$48,665
Accounting Clerk III3-5 years$54,753
Accounting Clerk IV5-7 years$61,167
Accounting Supervisor7+ years$89,565
View as Graph

How Do Accounting Clerk 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 Accounting Clerk Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $47,484.
  • California: $47,304.
  • Massachusetts: $46,674.

Top Paying Cities for Accounting Clerk 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: $54,093
  • San Francisco: $53,501
  • Oakland: $52,374

What Skills Can Increase an Accounting Clerk I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 2.23% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Credit Card (Mentioned in 2.75% Job Postings): A credit card is a type of credit facility, provided by banks that allow customers to borrow funds within a pre-approved credit limit.
  • Microsoft Excel (Mentioned in 1.21% Job Postings): Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet developed by Microsoft for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It features calculation or computation capabilities, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 2.23%
Credit Card 2.75%
Microsoft Excel 1.21%
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 Accounting Clerk I's salary.

  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Finance and Accounting: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Consulting $48,462
13%
Finance and Accounting $48,462
13%
Presentation $48,462
13%
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Accounting Clerk I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Accounting Clerk I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $47,928. While startup companies pay approximate $40,542.

Accounting Clerk I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $40,542
Growth Stage 51~500 $42,877
Established 501~5000 $46,281
Enterprise 5000+ $47,928

Accounting Clerk I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Accounting Clerk I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Accounting Clerk positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Accounting Clerk I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Accounting Clerk I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$49,320$24.015%
Healthcare$48,033$23.012%
Business Services$47,176$23.010%
Insurance$46,318$22.08%
MFG Nondurable$45,889$22.07%

How Education impacts an Accounting Clerk I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Accounting Clerk 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 Accounting Clerk I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $43,582 and $46,266.

Accounting Clerk I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Accounting Clerk I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.0%
High School 29.4%
Associates 25.8%
Bachelors 37.6%
Masters 4.8%
Doctorate 0.3%
View as Graph

Accounting Clerk I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Accounting Clerk 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
$38,403
Average $42,887/year
$45,579
$3,200
Average $3,574/month
$3,798
$739
Average $825/week
$877
$18
Average $21/hour
$22
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $45,579 $3,798 $877 $22
Average $42,887 $3,574 $825 $21
25th Percentile $38,403 $3,200 $739 $18

Accounting Clerk I Salary Growth & Career Path

Accounting Clerk I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Accounting Clerk 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
Bookkeeper $43,826 2%
Adjustment Clerk II $42,602 -1%
Accounting Clerk II $48,665 13%
Plant Controller $117,381 174%

Most common benefits for Accounting Clerk I

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

Common company salaries for Accounting Clerk I

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

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FAQ about Accounting Clerk I

1. Where can an Accounting Clerk I earn the most?

An Accounting Clerk 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 Accounting Clerk I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Accounting Clerk I is $54,093.

2. What is the highest pay for Accounting Clerk I?

The highest pay for Accounting Clerk I is $48,030.

3. What is the lowest pay for Accounting Clerk I?

The lowest pay for Accounting Clerk I is $34,321.

4. What are the responsibilities of Accounting Clerk I?

Performs routine accounting activities such as data entry, maintenance of the general ledger, preparation of various accounting statements and financial reports. Reviews, codes, and verifies transactions including billings, invoices, checks, and journal entries. Assists in completing moderately complex calculations using spreadsheets and other software tools. Reconciles accounts and bank statements. Has a basic understanding of bookkeeping and accounting principles. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Accounting Clerk I?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Accounting Clerk I roles, with salaries approximately 15% 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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