Associate Cost Accountant Salary in the United States

How much does an Associate Cost Accountant make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Cost Accountant in the United States is $66,964 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $77,476
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $62,530 to $72,466
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $58,493
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View as table View as graph 25% $62,530 10% $58,493 90% $77,476 75% $72,466 $66,964 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Associate Cost Accountant Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $72,466 $6,039 $1,394 $35
Average $66,964 $5,580 $1,288 $32
25th Percentile $62,530 $5,211 $1,202 $30
Check out Associate Cost Accountant Job Openings in the United States
Cost Accountant

The Lubrizol Corporation - Wickliffe, OH

Cost Accountant

Wausau Equipment Company Inc. - New Philadelphia, OH

Cost Accountant

Ranpak - Painesville, OH

Senior Cost Accountant

Honda - Raymond, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Associate Cost Accountant Salaries

An Associate Cost Accountant'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 Associate Cost Accountant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Associate Cost Accountant'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): $65,817
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $77,714
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $92,232
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $106,777
  • Expert (over 8 years): $104,491
Levels Salary
Associate... Level Associate Cost Accountant$65,817
Cost Acco... Level Associate Cost Accountant$77,714
Cost Acco... Level Associate Cost Accountant$92,232
Cost Acco... Level Associate Cost Accountant$106,777
Cost Acco... Level Associate Cost Accountant$104,491
$65,817 0 yr
$77,714 < 2 yrs
$92,232 2-4 yrs
$106,777 5-8 yrs
$104,491 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Associate Cost Accountant 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 Associate Cost Accountants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $74,142.
  • California: $73,861.
  • Massachusetts: $72,876.

Top Paying Cities for Associate Cost Accountants

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: $84,461
  • San Francisco: $83,631
  • Oakland: $81,776

What Skills Can Increase an Associate Cost Accountant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 13.52% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Bill of Materials (Mentioned in 1.61% Job Postings): Applying tools, methods, and practices in creating a list of raw materials, components, and instructions required to create a product.
  • Financial Reporting (Mentioned in 1.06% Job Postings): Reporting all activities and transactions to track and assess the financial health of the business.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 13.52%
Bill of Materials 1.61%
Financial Reporting 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 Associate Cost Accountant's salary.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Supply Chain: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Leadership
$73,660
10%
Coordination
$70,981
6%
Supply Chain
$70,312
5%
Team Operations
$70,312
5%
Commitment
$70,312
5%
Presentation
$69,642
4%
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How Education impacts an Associate Cost Accountant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Associate Cost Accountants 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 Associate Cost Accountant with a Bachelor's Degree is between $65,943 and $69,754).

Associate Cost Accountant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Associate Cost Accountant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 7.1%
Associates 6.5%
Bachelors 70.0%
Masters 15.8%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Associate Cost Accountant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Associate Cost Accountant'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 April 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Associate Cost Accountant

Salaries for an Associate Cost Accountant can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $56,457 in 2023 to around $54,979 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Associate Cost Accountant salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Associate Cost Accountant Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$56,457
2024
$55,528
2025
$54,979
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $56,457
2024 $55,528
2025 $54,979
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Associate Cost Accountant

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

Here are companies hiring for Associate Cost Accountant and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Associate Cost Accountant Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Associate Cost Accountant 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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