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Hourly Wage for Cost Accountant II Salary in the United States

What is the hourly salary range of Cost Accountant II?

As of October 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Cost Accountant II in the United States is $38, which translates to an annual salary of about $79,704.

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): $45 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $35 to $42 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $33 per hour
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Cost Accountant II Salaries

A Cost Accountant II'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 Cost Accountant II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cost Accountant II'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:

  • Cost Accountant I (0-2 years): $69,747
  • Cost Accountant II (2-4 years): $79,704
  • Cost Accountant III (4-7 years): $94,625
  • Cost Accountant IV (7+ years): $109,538
  • Cost Accounting Supervisor (7+ years): $107,189
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Cost Accountant I0-2 years$69,747
Cost Accountant II2-4 years$79,704
Cost Accountant III4-7 years$94,625
Cost Accountant IV7+ years$109,538
Cost Accounting Supervisor7+ years$107,189
View as Graph

How Do Cost Accountant II 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 Cost Accountant IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $88,248.
  • California: $87,914.
  • Massachusetts: $86,742.

Top Paying Cities for Cost Accountant IIs

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: $100,531
  • San Francisco: $99,430
  • Oakland: $97,335

What Skills Can Increase a Cost Accountant II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 13.68% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Bill of Materials (Mentioned in 1.58% Job Postings): Applying tools, methods, and practices in creating a list of raw materials, components, and instructions required to create a product.
  • Financial Reporting (Mentioned in 1.06% Job Postings): Reporting all activities and transactions to track and assess the financial health of the business.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 13.68%
Bill of Materials 1.58%
Financial Reporting 1.06%
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 a Cost Accountant II's salary.

  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Supply Chain: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Innovation $85,283
7%
Supply Chain $82,095
3%
Commitment $82,095
3%
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Cost Accountant II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Cost Accountant II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $88,981. While startup companies pay approximate $75,344.

Cost Accountant II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $75,344
Growth Stage 51~500 $79,667
Established 501~5000 $85,918
Enterprise 5000+ $88,981

Cost Accountant II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cost Accountant II 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 Software & Networking and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Cost Accountant positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cost Accountant II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cost Accountant II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$99,630$48.025%
Insurance$95,645$46.020%
Pharmaceuticals$95,645$46.020%
Financial Services$91,660$44.015%
Aerospace & Defense$87,674$42.010%

How Education impacts a Cost Accountant II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Cost Accountant II 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 Cost Accountant II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $78,798 and $83,484.

Cost Accountant II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Cost Accountant II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 4.9%
Associates 8.6%
Bachelors 61.1%
Masters 24.7%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Cost Accountant II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cost Accountant II'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
$73,682
Average $79,704/year
$86,912
$6,140
Average $6,642/month
$7,243
$1,417
Average $1,533/week
$1,671
$35
Average $38/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $86,912 $7,243 $1,671 $42
Average $79,704 $6,642 $1,533 $38
25th Percentile $73,682 $6,140 $1,417 $35

Most common benefits for Cost Accountant II

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

Common company salaries for Cost Accountant II

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

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FAQ about Cost Accountant II

1. What are the responsibilities of Cost Accountant II?

Determines and implements cost accounting procedures and methods. Responsible for the preparation and analysis of cost reports and costing audits. Examines and reviews unusual cost records and ensures cost data is allocated correctly. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Typically requires 2 to 4 years of related experience. Gains exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work.

2. What are the skills of Cost Accountant II

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.)

Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.

2.)

Bill of Materials: Applying tools, methods, and practices in creating a list of raw materials, components, and instructions required to create a product.

3.)

Financial Reporting: Reporting all activities and transactions to track and assess the financial health of the business.

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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