Accounts Payable Assistant Salary in the United States

How much does an Accounts Payable Assistant make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Accounts Payable Assistant in the United States is $48,194 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

However, an Accounts Payable Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $55,171
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $44,046 to $51,846
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $40,270

Key Factors That Influence Accounts Payable Assistant Salaries

An Accounts Payable Assistant'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 Accounts Payable Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Accounts Payable Assistant'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $43,872
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $49,058
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $54,383
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $71,434
  • Expert (over 8 years): $87,381
Levels Salary
Accounts ... Level Accounts Payable Assistant$43,872
Accounts ... Level Accounts Payable Assistant$49,058
Accounts ... Level Accounts Payable Assistant$54,383
Accounts ... Level Accounts Payable Assistant$71,434
Accounts ... Level Accounts Payable Assistant$87,381

Top Paying Cities for Accounts Payable Assistants

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: $60,786
  • San Francisco: $60,121
  • Oakland: $58,854

What Skills Can Increase an Accounts Payable Assistant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 3.25% 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.
  • General Ledger (Mentioned in 2.08% Job Postings): Creating and keeping track of business transactions and activities to monitor financial operations.
  • Accounting Software (Mentioned in 1.13% 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 3.25%
General Ledger 2.08%
Accounting Software 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 an Accounts Payable Assistant's salary.

  • Concur: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Concur $51,085
6%
Presentation $51,085
6%
Innovation $50,603
5%

Accounts Payable Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Accounts Payable Assistant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Accounts Payable Assistant positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Accounts Payable Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Accounts Payable Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$57,832$28.020%
Pharmaceuticals$56,868$27.018%
Energy & Utilities$55,423$27.015%
Financial Services$55,423$27.015%
Chemicals$53,013$25.010%

How Education impacts an Accounts Payable Assistant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Accounts Payable Assistants enter the field with a Associate's Degree 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 Accounts Payable Assistant with a Associate's Degree is between $48,167 and $50,899).

Accounts Payable Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Accounts Payable Assistant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.1%
High School 38.3%
Associates 25.9%
Bachelors 32.2%
Masters 2.3%
Doctorate 0.2%

Accounts Payable Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Accounts Payable Assistant'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 September 01, 2026
$44,046
Average $48,194/year
$51,846
$3,670
Average $4,016/month
$4,320
$847
Average $927/week
$997
$21
Average $23/hour
$25
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $51,846 $4,320 $997 $25
Average $48,194 $4,016 $927 $23
25th Percentile $44,046 $3,670 $847 $21

Most common benefits for Accounts Payable Assistant

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

Common company salaries for Accounts Payable Assistant

Here are companies hiring for Accounts Payable Assistant and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Accounts Payable Assistant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Accounts Payable Assistant?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Accounts Payable Assistant 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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