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CPA Controller Salary in the United States

How much does a CPA Controller make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a CPA Controller in the United States is $254,558 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $122.

However, a CPA Controller's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $315,543
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $234,364 to $286,480
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $215,978
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence CPA Controller Salaries

A CPA Controller's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do CPA 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 CPA Controllers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $281,847.
  • California: $280,777.
  • Massachusetts: $277,035.

Top Paying Cities for CPA 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: $321,074
  • San Francisco: $317,559
  • Oakland: $310,866

What Skills Can Increase a CPA Controller's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.02% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • General Ledger (Mentioned in 2.93% Job Postings): Creating and keeping track of business transactions and activities to monitor financial operations.
  • Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (Mentioned in 1.03% Job Postings): Helping and maintaining accounting rules and standards for financial reporting to ensure consistency and transparency.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.02%
General Ledger 2.93%
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles 1.03%
See More Skills

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 a CPA Controller's salary.

  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Technical Accounting: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Initiative $267,286
5%
Insight $267,286
5%
Technical Accounting $264,740
4%
Get Latest Data

CPA Controller Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CPA Controller roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 47% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 22% above the average. In contrast, CPA Controller positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CPA Controller as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a CPA Controller

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$310,561$149.022%
Energy & Utilities$305,470$147.020%
Insurance$300,378$144.018%
Internet$285,105$137.012%
Aerospace & Defense$280,014$135.010%

How Education impacts a CPA Controller's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many CPA 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 a CPA Controller with a Bachelor's Degree is between $242,584 and $264,930).

CPA Controller Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for CPA Controller
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 3.9%
Associates 4.1%
Bachelors 57.5%
Masters 33.9%
Doctorate 0.3%
View as Graph

CPA Controller Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CPA 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 September 01, 2026
$234,364
Average $254,558/year
$286,480
$19,530
Average $21,213/month
$23,873
$4,507
Average $4,895/week
$5,509
$113
Average $122/hour
$138
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $286,480 $23,873 $5,509 $138
Average $254,558 $21,213 $4,895 $122
25th Percentile $234,364 $19,530 $4,507 $113

Most common benefits for CPA Controller

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for CPA Controller

Here are companies hiring for CPA Controller and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about CPA Controller

1. What industry pays the highest salary for CPA Controller?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for CPA Controller roles, with salaries approximately 22% 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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