Accountant/Assistant Controller Salary in the United States

How much does an Accountant/Assistant Controller make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Accountant/Assistant Controller in the United States is $167,639 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $81.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $203,276
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $153,389 to $186,293
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $140,415
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View as table View as graph 25% $153,389 10% $140,415 90% $203,276 75% $186,293 $167,639 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Accountant/Assistant Controller Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $186,293 $15,524 $3,583 $90
Average $167,639 $13,970 $3,224 $81
25th Percentile $153,389 $12,782 $2,950 $74
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Key Factors That Influence Accountant/Assistant Controller Salaries

An Accountant/Assistant 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Accountant/Assistant Controller Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Accountant/Assistant 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): $157,408
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $158,465
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $160,580
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $163,753
  • Expert (over 8 years): $170,230
Levels Salary
Entry Level Accountant/Assistant Controller$157,408
Intermediate Level Accountant/Assistant Controller$158,465
Senior Level Accountant/Assistant Controller$160,580
Specialist Level Accountant/Assistant Controller$163,753
Expert Level Accountant/Assistant Controller$170,230
$157,408 0 yr
$158,465 < 2 yrs
$160,580 2-4 yrs
$163,753 5-8 yrs
$170,230 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Accountant/Assistant 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 Accountant/Assistant Controllers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $185,610.
  • California: $184,906.
  • Massachusetts: $182,442.

Top Paying Cities for Accountant/Assistant 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: $211,443
  • San Francisco: $209,364
  • Oakland: $204,721

What Skills Can Increase an Accountant/Assistant Controller's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.12% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Financial Reporting (Mentioned in 3.12% Job Postings): Reporting all activities and transactions to track and assess the financial health of the business.
  • Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (Mentioned in 1.06% Job Postings): Helping and maintaining accounting rules and standards for financial reporting to ensure consistency and transparency.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.12%
Financial Reporting 3.12%
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles 1.06%
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 Accountant/Assistant Controller's salary.
  • Technical Accounting: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Technical Accounting
$179,374
7%
Accountability
$177,697
6%
Process Improvement
$174,345
4%
Financial Management
$172,668
3%
Finance and Accounting
$172,668
3%
Initiative
$172,668
3%
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How Education impacts an Accountant/Assistant Controller's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Accountant/Assistant Controllers enter the field with a Bachelor'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 Accountant/Assistant Controller with a Bachelor's Degree is between $160,627 and $172,160).

Accountant/Assistant Controller Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Accountant/Assistant Controller
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.4%
High School 5.5%
Associates 6.9%
Bachelors 57.6%
Masters 29.4%
Doctorate 0.1%
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Accountant/Assistant Controller Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Accountant/Assistant 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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Accountant/Assistant Controller

Salaries for an Accountant/Assistant Controller can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $137,505 in 2023 to around $136,300 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Accountant/Assistant Controller salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Accountant/Assistant Controller Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$137,505
2024
$137,019
2025
$136,300
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $137,505
2024 $137,019
2025 $136,300
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Accountant/Assistant Controller

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Accountant/Assistant Controller

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

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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.)

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