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Project Accountant I Salary in the United States

How much does a Project Accountant I make in the United States?

As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Accountant I in the United States is $71,177 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

However, a Project Accountant I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $85,276
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $64,278 to $78,557
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $57,997
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View as table View as graph 25% $64,278 10% $57,997 90% $85,276 75% $78,557 $71,177 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Project Accountant I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $78,557 $6,546 $1,511 $38
Average $71,177 $5,931 $1,369 $34
25th Percentile $64,278 $5,357 $1,236 $31
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Key Factors That Influence Project Accountant I Salaries

A Project Accountant 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Project Accountant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Project Accountant 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:

  • Project Accountant I (0-2 years): $71,177
  • Project Accountant II (2-4 years): $80,478
  • Project Accountant III (4-7 years): $88,755
  • Project Accounting Manager (7+ years): $137,171
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Project Accountant I0-2 years$71,177
Project Accountant II2-4 years$80,478
Project Accountant III4-7 years$88,755
Project Accounting Manager7+ years$137,171
$71,177 Project A...
$80,478 Project A...
$88,755 Project A...
$137,171 Project A...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Project Accountant 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: $89,776
  • San Francisco: $88,893
  • Oakland: $86,921

What Skills Can Increase a Project Accountant I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.23% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2.07% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Financial Management (Mentioned in 1.13% Job Postings): Financial management focuses on ratios, equities and debts. It is useful for portfolio management,distribution of dividend,capital raising,hedging and looking after fluctuations in foreign currency and product cycles.Financial managers are the people who will do research and based on the research, decide what sort of capital to obtain in order to fund the company's assets as well as maximizing the value of the firm for all the stakeholders. It also refers to the efficient and effective management of money (funds) in such a manner as to accomplish the objectives of the organization. It is the specialized function directly associated with the top management. The significance of this function is not seen in the 'Line' but also in the capacity of the 'Staff' in overall of a company. It has been defined differently by different experts in the field. The term typically applies to an organization or company's financial strategy, while personal finance or financial life management refers to an individual's management strategy. It includes how to raise the capital and how to allocate capital, i.e. capital budgeting. Not only for long term budgeting, but also how to allocate the short term resources like current liabilities. It also deals with the dividend policies of the share holders.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.23%
Microsoft Office 2.07%
Financial Management 1.13%
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 Project Accountant I's salary.
  • Client Service: Can increase your salary by up to 28%.
  • Finance and Accounting: Can increase your salary by up to 27%.
  • Financial Reporting: Can increase your salary by up to 24%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Client Service
$91,107
28%
Finance and Accounting
$90,395
27%
Financial Reporting
$88,259
24%
Presentation
$87,548
23%
Initiative
$86,836
22%
Analysis
$86,124
21%
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Project Accountant I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Project Accountant 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 March 01, 2026

Project Accountant I Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Project Accountant I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Project Accountant II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $80,478 - a projected growth of 13% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Project Accountant I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Project Accountant I

Here are companies hiring for Project Accountant I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Project Accountant I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Project Accountant I

1. Where can a Project Accountant I earn the most?

A Project Accountant 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, a Project Accountant I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Project Accountant I is $89,776.

2. What is the highest pay for Project Accountant I?

The highest pay for Project Accountant I is $85,276.

3. What is the lowest pay for Project Accountant I?

The lowest pay for Project Accountant I is $57,997.

4. What are the responsibilities of Project Accountant I?

Supports projects with overall accounting and financial activities to measure and monitor project financial performance. Creates and maintains project level accounts. Completes all postings, allocations, accruals and payments for the project. Prepares and distributes monthly reports on project status including budget and forecasting for project reviews. Coordinates with project team to reflect changes in project scope or timeline. Prepares final project close out. Requires a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

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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