Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cost Accounting Director in Pennsylvania is $198,216 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $95.
However, a Cost Accounting Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
Smart Recruiting
Cost Accounting Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $216,507 | $18,042 | $4,164 | $104 |
| Average | $198,216 | $16,518 | $3,812 | $95 |
| 25th Percentile | $179,234 | $14,936 | $3,447 | $86 |
Mini Melts of America Inc - Feasterville-Trevose, PA
McCarl's LLC - Bridgeville, PA
Arrowhead Lake Community - Pocono Lake, PA
SMS group Inc - Pittsburgh, PA
A Cost Accounting Director'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Cost Accounting Director'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Accountin... Level Cost Accounting Director | $118,911 |
| Accountin... Level Cost Accounting Director | $161,796 |
| Cost Acco... Level Cost Accounting Director | $196,871 |
| Vice Pres... Level Cost Accounting Director | $236,901 |
| SVP of Ac... Level Cost Accounting Director | $295,891 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Accounting Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Cost Accounting Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Transportation sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Cost Accounting Director positions in Retail & Wholesale or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cost Accounting Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $297,324 | $143.0 | 50% |
| Transportation | $287,413 | $138.0 | 45% |
| Biotechnology | $277,502 | $133.0 | 40% |
| Chemicals | $267,592 | $129.0 | 35% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $257,681 | $124.0 | 30% |
Understanding how a Cost Accounting Director'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $216,507 | $18,042 | $4,164 | $104 |
| Average | $198,216 | $16,518 | $3,812 | $95 |
| 25th Percentile | $179,234 | $14,936 | $3,447 | $86 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Cost Accounting Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
PNC
Pittsburgh, PA
PNC | Pittsburgh, PA
Position OverviewAt PNC, our people are our greatest differentiator and competitive advantage in the markets we serve. We are all united in delivering the ... more
6 Days Ago
KPMG
Philadelphia, PA
KPMG | Philadelphia, PA
The KPMG Advisory practice is currently our fastest growing practice. We are seeing tremendous client demand, and looking forward we do not anticipate that... more
6 Days Ago
KPMG
Pittsburgh, PA
KPMG | Pittsburgh, PA
The KPMG Advisory practice is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increasing client demand. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and adaptable te... more
6 Days Ago
Spartan Placements, LLC
Philadelphia, PA
Spartan Placements, LLC | Philadelphia, PA
Job Description. Job Description. Tax and Accounting Director. Remote | Philadelphia. Partner Track Opportunity. If you're an experienced accounting profes... more
6 Days Ago
Confidential
Philadelphia, PA
Confidential | Philadelphia, PA
Managing Director, Accounting Policy. About the Company. Leading accounting advisory and consulting firm serving public and private company clients. Indust... more
1 Month Ago
NEWSPRING CAPITAL INC
Wayne, PA
NEWSPRING CAPITAL INC | Wayne, PA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. We are seeking an experienced finance and accounting value creation leader to support our portfolio companie... more
6 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
