Cpa Salary in the United States

How much does a Cpa make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cpa in the United States is $79,560 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $91,478
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $71,421 to $85,798
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $64,011
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View as table View as graph 25% $71,421 10% $64,011 90% $91,478 75% $85,798 $79,560 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Cpa Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $85,798 $7,150 $1,650 $41
Average $79,560 $6,630 $1,530 $38
25th Percentile $71,421 $5,952 $1,373 $34
Check out Cpa Job Openings in the United States
Tax Supervisor Manager

Jobot - Cleveland, OH

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Jobot - Akron, OH

Channel Sales Associate

Paychex - Dayton, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Cpa Salaries

A Cpa'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 Cpa Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cpa'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): $78,769
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $78,995
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $81,719
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $84,315
  • Expert (over 8 years): $84,500
Levels Salary
Entry Level Cpa$78,769
Intermediate Level Cpa$78,995
Senior Level Cpa$81,719
Specialist Level Cpa$84,315
Expert Level Cpa$84,500
$78,769 0 yr
$78,995 < 2 yrs
$81,719 2-4 yrs
$84,315 5-8 yrs
$84,500 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Cpas

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: $100,349
  • San Francisco: $99,251
  • Oakland: $97,159

What Skills Can Increase a Cpa's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 10.7% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • ERP (Mentioned in 2.27% Job Postings): Enterprise resource planning (ERP) refers to a type of software that organizations use to manage day-to-day business activities such as accounting, procurement, project management, risk management and compliance, and supply chain operations.
  • Inventory Control (Mentioned in 1.37% Job Postings): Inventory control or stock control can be broadly defined as "the activity of checking a shop’s stock." However, a more focused definition takes into account the more science-based, methodical practice of not only verifying a business' inventory but also focusing on the many related facets of inventory management (such as forecasting future demand) "within an organisation to meet the demand placed upon that business economically." Other facets of inventory control include supply chain management, production control, financial flexibility, and customer satisfaction. At the root of inventory control, however, is the inventory control problem, which involves determining when to order, how much to order, and the logistics (where) of those decisions. An extension of inventory control is the inventory control system. This may come in the form of a technological system and its programmed software used for managing various aspects of inventory problems , or it may refer to a methodology (which may include the use of technological barriers) for handling loss prevention in a business.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 10.7%
ERP 2.27%
Inventory Control 1.37%
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 Cpa's salary.
  • Team Management: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Finance and Accounting: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Team Management
$88,312
11%
Coordination
$88,312
11%
Finance and Accounting
$88,312
11%
Critical Thinking
$87,516
10%
Continuous Improvement
$86,721
9%
Listening
$85,925
8%
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Cpa Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cpa 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 Energy & Utilities and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Cpa positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cpa as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cpa

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$95,472$46.020%
Pharmaceuticals$91,494$44.015%
Software & Networking$89,107$43.012%
Aerospace & Defense$87,516$42.010%
Construction$85,925$41.08%

How Education impacts a Cpa's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Cpas enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Cpa with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $79,045 and $83,958).

Cpa Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Cpa
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.7%
High School 5.7%
Associates 9.8%
Bachelors 62.3%
Masters 22.1%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Cpa Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cpa'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 July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Cpa

Salaries for a Cpa can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $64,637 in 2023 to around $63,265 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Cpa salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Cpa Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$64,637
2024
$63,768
2025
$63,265
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $64,637
2024 $63,768
2025 $63,265
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Cpa

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

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

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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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