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Accounting Lead Salary in the United States

How much does an Accounting Lead make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Accounting Lead in the United States is $73,582 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $83,934
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $66,161 to $79,001
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $59,404
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Accounting Lead Salaries

An Accounting Lead'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 Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Accounting Lead'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): $63,752
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $74,098
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $85,882
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $102,367
  • Expert (over 8 years): $144,289
Levels Salary
Accountan... Level Accounting Lead$63,752
Accountin... Level Accounting Lead$74,098
Accountan... Level Accounting Lead$85,882
Accountan... Level Accounting Lead$102,367
Accountan... Level Accounting Lead$144,289
View as Graph

How Do Accounting Lead 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 Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $81,470.
  • California: $81,161.
  • Massachusetts: $80,080.

Top Paying Cities for Accounting Leads

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: $92,809
  • San Francisco: $91,793
  • Oakland: $89,859

What Skills Can Increase an Accounting Lead's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.15% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Accounts Receivable (Mentioned in 2.4% Job Postings): Accounts receivable is a legally enforceable claim for payment held by a business for goods supplied and/or services rendered that customers/clients have ordered but not paid for. These are generally in the form of invoices raised by a business and delivered to the customer for payment within an agreed time frame. Accounts receivable is shown in a balance sheet as an asset. It is one of a series of accounting transactions dealing with the billing of a customer for goods and services that the customer has ordered. These may be distinguished from notes receivable, which are debts created through formal legal instruments called promissory notes.
  • Internal Control (Mentioned in 1.18% Job Postings): Internal control, as defined by accounting and auditing, is a process for assuring of an organization's objectives in operational effectiveness and efficiency, reliable financial reporting, and compliance with laws, regulations and policies.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.15%
Accounts Receivable 2.4%
Internal Control 1.18%
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 an Accounting Lead's salary.

  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Revenue Recognition: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Leadership $77,261
5%
Consulting $77,261
5%
Revenue Recognition $77,261
5%
Get Latest Data

Accounting Lead Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Accounting Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Accounting Lead positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Accounting Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Accounting Lead

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$91,978$44.025%
Energy & Utilities$88,299$42.020%
Internet$86,827$42.018%
Aerospace & Defense$80,941$39.010%
Chemicals$80,941$39.010%

How Education impacts an Accounting Lead's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Accounting Leads enter the field with a Associate'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 Accounting Lead with a Associate's Degree is between $70,560 and $74,509).

Accounting Lead Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Accounting Lead
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.1%
High School 5.2%
Associates 8.4%
Bachelors 61.2%
Masters 23.6%
Doctorate 0.5%
View as Graph

Accounting Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Accounting Lead'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
$66,161
Average $73,582/year
$79,001
$5,513
Average $6,132/month
$6,583
$1,272
Average $1,415/week
$1,519
$32
Average $35/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $79,001 $6,583 $1,519 $38
Average $73,582 $6,132 $1,415 $35
25th Percentile $66,161 $5,513 $1,272 $32

Most common benefits for Accounting Lead

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

Common company salaries for Accounting Lead

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

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FAQ about Accounting Lead

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Accounting Lead?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Accounting Lead roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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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