As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Accounting Director in South Dakota is $176,603 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $85.
However, an Accounting Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Accounting Director'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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Accounting Director'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting Manager | 5+ years | $106,679 |
| Accounting Senior Manager | 5+ years | $145,145 |
| Accounting Director | 5+ years | $176,603 |
| Vice President of Accounting | 5+ years | $212,505 |
| SVP of Accounting | 5+ years | $265,381 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Accounting Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $197,528. While startup companies pay approximate $167,050.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $167,050 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $176,682 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $190,752 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $197,528 |
For Accounting Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Transportation sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Accounting Director positions in Retail & Wholesale or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Accounting Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $264,904 | $127.0 | 50% |
| Transportation | $256,074 | $123.0 | 45% |
| Biotechnology | $247,244 | $119.0 | 40% |
| Chemicals | $238,413 | $115.0 | 35% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $229,583 | $110.0 | 30% |
Understanding how an Accounting Director'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 July 01, 2026For an Accounting Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the VP of Accounting role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $212,505 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Accounting Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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