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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Accounts Payable Specialist in California is $56,872 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.
However, an Accounts Payable Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Accounts Payable Specialist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $61,541 | $5,128 | $1,183 | $30 |
| Average | $56,872 | $4,739 | $1,094 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,683 | $4,390 | $1,013 | $25 |
LHH Talent - Ontario, CA
United Restorations, LLC - Fresno, CA
Trojan Battery - Santa Fe Springs, CA
Addison Group - Costa Mesa, CA
An Accounts Payable Specialist'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 an Accounts Payable Specialist'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 |
|---|---|
| Accounts ... Level Accounts Payable Specialist | $49,996 |
| Accounts ... Level Accounts Payable Specialist | $55,900 |
| Accounts ... Level Accounts Payable Specialist | $61,966 |
| Accounts ... Level Accounts Payable Specialist | $81,401 |
| Accounts ... Level Accounts Payable Specialist | $99,578 |
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 Accounts Payable Specialists. 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 Accounts Payable Specialist 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 Specialist positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Accounts Payable Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $68,247 | $33.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $67,109 | $32.0 | 18% |
| Energy & Utilities | $65,403 | $31.0 | 15% |
| Financial Services | $65,403 | $31.0 | 15% |
| Chemicals | $62,560 | $30.0 | 10% |
Understanding how an Accounts Payable Specialist'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 | $61,541 | $5,128 | $1,183 | $30 |
| Average | $56,872 | $4,739 | $1,094 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,683 | $4,390 | $1,013 | $25 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Accounts Payable Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
JLM Strategic Talent Partners
Lancaster, CA
JLM Strategic Talent Partners | Lancaster, CA
Job Opportunity. We partner with National & International prime contractors to provide them with qualified talent they can trust. We accomplish this by sou... more
7 Days Ago
PrideStaff Financial
Visalia, CA
PrideStaff Financial | Visalia, CA
Accounts Payable Specialist. Role Responsibilities. Review all invoices for appropriate documentation and approval prior to payment. This includes matching... more
7 Days Ago
LHH
Fontana, CA
LHH | Fontana, CA
Accounts Payable Specialist. We are seeking a detail-oriented Accounts Payable Specialist to support daily AP operations, ensure accurate invoice processin... more
7 Days Ago
PrideStaff Financial
Fresno, CA
PrideStaff Financial | Fresno, CA
Accounts Payable Specialist. Will train on software (McLeod Software) but they also use QuickBooks. Will be high volume, data entry, answering a lot of inc... more
7 Days Ago
TrellisWare Technologies
San Diego, CA
TrellisWare Technologies | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. TrellisWare launched in 2000 with an innovative culture striving to push technological boundaries in the area of wireless... more
7 Days Ago
GHJ
Los Angeles, CA
GHJ | Los Angeles, CA
Accounts Payable Specialist. We are partnering with a well-established, service-driven organization to identify an Accounts Payable Specialist on a temp-to... more
8 Days Ago
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