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Business Controller Salary in the United States

How much does a Business Controller make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Business Controller in the United States is $140,554 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $165,090
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $126,883 to $153,397
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $114,436
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Business Controller Salaries

A Business Controller'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 Business Controller Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Business Controller'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): $134,394
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $135,020
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $137,106
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $139,610
  • Expert (over 8 years): $142,821
Levels Salary
Entry Level Business Controller$134,394
Intermediate Level Business Controller$135,020
Senior Level Business Controller$137,106
Specialist Level Business Controller$139,610
Expert Level Business Controller$142,821
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How Do Business Controller 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 Business Controllers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $155,621.
  • California: $155,031.
  • Massachusetts: $152,965.

Top Paying Cities for Business Controllers

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: $177,281
  • San Francisco: $175,340
  • Oakland: $171,645

What Skills Can Increase a Business Controller's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 10.12% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • CPA (Mentioned in 1.63% Job Postings): A CPA, or Certified Public Accountant, is a trusted financial advisor who helps individuals, businesses, and other organizations plan and reach their financial goals.
  • Packaging (Mentioned in 1.15% Job Postings): Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 10.12%
CPA 1.63%
Packaging 1.15%
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 Business Controller's salary.

  • Customer Relationship: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • RFP: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Customer Relationship $154,609
10%
RFP $153,204
9%
Consulting $150,393
7%
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Business Controller Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Business Controller roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Business Controller positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Business Controller as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Business Controller

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$210,831$101.050%
Financial Services$196,776$95.040%
Biotechnology$182,720$88.030%
Pharmaceuticals$182,720$88.030%

Business Controller Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Business Controller'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
$126,883
Average $140,554/year
$153,397
$10,574
Average $11,713/month
$12,783
$2,440
Average $2,703/week
$2,950
$61
Average $68/hour
$74
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $153,397 $12,783 $2,950 $74
Average $140,554 $11,713 $2,703 $68
25th Percentile $126,883 $10,574 $2,440 $61

Most common benefits for Business Controller

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

Common company salaries for Business Controller

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

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FAQ about Business Controller

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Business Controller?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Business Controller roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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