Accounting Specialist I Salary in the United States

How much does an Accounting Specialist I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Accounting Specialist I in the United States is $42,495 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.

However, an Accounting Specialist I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $47,650
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $38,274 to $45,193
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $34,431
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View as table View as graph 25% $38,274 10% $34,431 90% $47,650 75% $45,193 $42,495 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Accounting Specialist I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $45,193 $3,766 $869 $22
Average $42,495 $3,541 $817 $20
25th Percentile $38,274 $3,189 $736 $18
Check out Accounting Specialist I Job Openings in the United States
Accounting Specialist

Environmental Comfort - Columbus, OH

Physician Other Ohio Permanent Associate Medical Director

eviCore healthcare - Columbus, OH

Instacart

Instacart - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Accounting Specialist I Salaries

An Accounting Specialist I'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 Accounting Specialist I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Accounting Specialist I'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): $42,296
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $47,992
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $53,992
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $60,320
  • Expert (over 8 years): $88,318
Levels Salary
Accountin... Level Accounting Specialist I$42,296
Accountin... Level Accounting Specialist I$47,992
Accountin... Level Accounting Specialist I$53,992
Accountin... Level Accounting Specialist I$60,320
Accountin... Level Accounting Specialist I$88,318
$42,296 0 yr
$47,992 < 2 yrs
$53,992 2-4 yrs
$60,320 5-8 yrs
$88,318 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Accounting Specialist I 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 Accounting Specialist Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $47,050.
  • California: $46,872.
  • Massachusetts: $46,247.

Top Paying Cities for Accounting Specialist Is

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: $53,598
  • San Francisco: $53,012
  • Oakland: $51,894

What Skills Can Increase an Accounting Specialist I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 2.23% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Credit Card (Mentioned in 2.75% Job Postings): A credit card is a type of credit facility, provided by banks that allow customers to borrow funds within a pre-approved credit limit.
  • Microsoft Excel (Mentioned in 1.21% Job Postings): Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet developed by Microsoft for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It features calculation or computation capabilities, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 2.23%
Credit Card 2.75%
Microsoft Excel 1.21%
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 Accounting Specialist I's salary.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Finance and Accounting: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Consulting
$48,019
13%
Finance and Accounting
$48,019
13%
Presentation
$48,019
13%
Financial Reporting
$47,594
12%
Analytical Skills
$47,169
11%
Commitment
$47,169
11%
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Accounting Specialist I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Accounting Specialist I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Accounting Specialist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Accounting Specialist I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Accounting Specialist I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$48,869$23.015%
Healthcare$47,594$23.012%
Business Services$46,744$22.010%
Insurance$45,894$22.08%
MFG Nondurable$45,469$22.07%

How Education impacts an Accounting Specialist I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Accounting Specialist Is enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Accounting Specialist I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $42,267 and $44,966).

Accounting Specialist I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Accounting Specialist I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.0%
High School 29.4%
Associates 25.8%
Bachelors 37.6%
Masters 4.8%
Doctorate 0.3%
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Accounting Specialist I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Accounting Specialist I'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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Accounting Specialist I

Salaries for an Accounting Specialist I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $42,643 in 2023 to around $42,528 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Accounting Specialist I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Accounting Specialist I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$42,643
2024
$42,644
2025
$42,528
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $42,643
2024 $42,644
2025 $42,528
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Accounting Specialist I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Accounting Specialist I

Here are companies hiring for Accounting Specialist I and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Accounting Specialist I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Accounting Specialist I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Continuum Medical Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    Continuum Medical Staffing | Columbus, OH

    PSYCHIATRIST- CHILD/ADOLESCENT COLUMBUS OHIO We are seeking a Board-Certified Child/ Adolescent Psychiatrist for a permanent position in Columbus Ohio No V... more

    3 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Neurologist Locum Tenens Opportunity Near Columbus, OH. We are excited to offer a rewarding locum tenens opportunity for a Board Certified or Board Eligibl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Associate Vice President, Brand & External Communications. About the Company. National consulting & advisory services firm focused on the healthcare indust... more

    14 Days Ago

  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    15 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Credit Risk Strategy & Data Science. About the Company. High-growth SMB lender building the next generation of credit decisioning. Industry... more

    15 Days Ago

  • KreilKamp Trucking

    Columbus, OH

    KreilKamp Trucking | Columbus, OH

    Regional CDL A Drivers | NEW Grads Welcome | Earn $70,000+ Annually. We're proud to be a 4th generation family truck line, started in 1935, but even proude... more

    15 Days Ago

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FAQ about Accounting Specialist I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Accounting Specialist I?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Accounting Specialist I roles, with salaries approximately 15% 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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