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Accounting Manager Salary in the United States

How much does an Accounting Manager make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Accounting Manager in the United States is $117,383 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $137,395
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $105,742 to $127,858
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $95,143

Key Factors That Influence Accounting Manager Salaries

An Accounting Manager'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 Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Accounting Manager'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 Supervisor (10+ years): $89,554
  • Accounting Supervisor, Sr. (10+ years): $98,459
  • Accounting Manager (10+ years): $117,383
  • Accounting Senior Manager (10+ years): $159,716
  • Accounting Director (10+ years): $194,341
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Accounting Supervisor10+ years$89,554
Accounting Supervisor, Sr.10+ years$98,459
Accounting Manager10+ years$117,383
Accounting Senior Manager10+ years$159,716
Accounting Director10+ years$194,341

Top Paying Cities for Accounting Manager

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: $148,055
  • San Francisco: $146,434
  • Oakland: $143,348

What Skills Can Increase an Accounting Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 1.88% 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.
  • Bookkeeping (Mentioned in 2.94% 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.
  • Financial Statements (Mentioned in 1.06% Job Postings): Obtaining and creating formal records of business activities and cash flows to provide results for financial performance.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 1.88%
Bookkeeping 2.94%
Financial Statements 1.06%

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 Manager's salary.

  • Technical Accounting: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Scheduling: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Technical Accounting $122,078
4%
Integrity $122,078
4%
Scheduling $120,904
3%

Accounting Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Accounting Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $131,403. While startup companies pay approximate $111,164.

Accounting Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $111,164
Growth Stage 51~500 $117,569
Established 501~5000 $126,893
Enterprise 5000+ $131,403

Accounting Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Accounting Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Accounting Manager positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Accounting Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Accounting Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$140,860$68.020%
Financial Services$140,860$68.020%
Pharmaceuticals$134,990$65.015%
Energy & Utilities$129,121$62.010%
Insurance$129,121$62.010%

How Education impacts an Accounting Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Accounting Manager 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 Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $119,276 and $127,028.

Accounting Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Accounting Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 11.2%
Associates 10.1%
Bachelors 53.9%
Masters 23.9%
Doctorate 0.3%

Accounting Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Accounting Manager'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 August 01, 2026
$105,742
Average $117,383/year
$127,858
$8,812
Average $9,782/month
$10,655
$2,034
Average $2,257/week
$2,459
$51
Average $56/hour
$61
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $127,858 $10,655 $2,459 $61
Average $117,383 $9,782 $2,257 $56
25th Percentile $105,742 $8,812 $2,034 $51

Accounting Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Accounting Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Accounting Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $159,716 - a projected growth of 36% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Accounting Manager

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

Common company salaries for Accounting Manager

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

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FAQ about Accounting Manager

1. Where can an Accounting Manager earn the most?

An Accounting Manager'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 Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Accounting Manager is $148,055.

2. What is the highest pay for Accounting Manager?

The highest pay for Accounting Manager is $137,395.

3. What is the lowest pay for Accounting Manager?

The lowest pay for Accounting Manager is $95,143.

4. What are the responsibilities of Accounting Manager?

Manages multiple accounting functions and operations such as general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, revenue, asset, cost, and tax accounting. Implements accounting policies and procedures that adhere to governmental financial and tax regulations and comply with GAAP and IFRS standards. Oversees monthly, quarterly, and annual accounting close processes and reporting. Evaluates accounting processes and systems and implements optimizations. Develops and directs accounting professionals and support staff. Requires a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance. May require Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credentials. Typically reports to a director or head of a unit/department. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Accounting Manager?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Accounting Manager 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.

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