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Hourly Wage for Bookkeeper Salary in the United States

How much does a Bookkeeper make hourly?

As of October 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Bookkeeper in the United States is $21, which translates to an annual salary of about $43,823.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $24 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $19 to $23 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $18 per hour

Key Factors That Influence Bookkeeper Salaries

A Bookkeeper'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 Bookkeeper Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Bookkeeper'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:

  • Bookkeeper (1-3 years): $43,823
  • Bookkeeper, Sr. (3-5 years): $48,902
  • Bookkeeping Manager (5+ years): $74,047
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Bookkeeper1-3 years$43,823
Bookkeeper, Sr.3-5 years$48,902
Bookkeeping Manager5+ years$74,047

Top Paying Cities for Bookkeepers

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: $55,274
  • San Francisco: $54,669
  • Oakland: $53,517

What Skills Can Increase a Bookkeeper's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 2.79% 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.
  • Data Entry (Mentioned in 2.73% Job Postings): Transcribing information into an electronic medium such as a computer or other electronic device.
  • Accounting Software (Mentioned in 1.51% Job Postings): Accounting software makes it easier for business owners to manage financial procedures, performing financial tasks correctly and quickly.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 2.79%
Data Entry 2.73%
Accounting Software 1.51%

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 a Bookkeeper's salary.

  • Finance and Accounting: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Continuous Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Financial Reporting: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Finance and Accounting $50,396
15%
Continuous Learning $49,520
13%
Financial Reporting $49,082
12%

Bookkeeper Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Bookkeeper salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $48,924. While startup companies pay approximate $41,426.

Bookkeeper Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $41,426
Growth Stage 51~500 $43,803
Established 501~5000 $47,240
Enterprise 5000+ $48,924

Bookkeeper Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Bookkeeper roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 61% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Bookkeeper positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Bookkeeper as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Bookkeeper

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$54,779$26.025%
Financial Services$52,588$25.020%
Pharmaceuticals$52,588$25.020%
Software & Networking$52,588$25.020%
Energy & Utilities$50,396$24.015%

How Education impacts a Bookkeeper's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Bookkeeper 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 Bookkeeper with a Bachelor's Degree is between $42,722 and $45,370.

Bookkeeper Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Bookkeeper
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 32.7%
Associates 28.6%
Bachelors 33.8%
Masters 3.8%
Doctorate 0.2%

Bookkeeper Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Bookkeeper'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 October 01, 2026
$39,977
Average $43,823/year
$46,965
$3,331
Average $3,652/month
$3,914
$769
Average $843/week
$903
$19
Average $21/hour
$23
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $46,965 $3,914 $903 $23
Average $43,823 $3,652 $843 $21
25th Percentile $39,977 $3,331 $769 $19

Most common benefits for Bookkeeper

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

Common company salaries for Bookkeeper

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

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FAQ about Bookkeeper

1. What are the responsibilities of Bookkeeper?

Maintains and records a complete and systematic set of business transactions. Balances ledgers, reconciles accounts, and prepares reports to show receipts, expenditures, accounts receivable, and payable. Follows bookkeeping procedures established by the organization. May require an associate degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience.

2. What are the skills of Bookkeeper

Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.)

Customer Service: 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.

2.)

Data Entry: Transcribing information into an electronic medium such as a computer or other electronic device.

3.)

Accounting Software: Accounting software makes it easier for business owners to manage financial procedures, performing financial tasks correctly and quickly.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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