Salary AI Book a Demo

Small Business Controller Salary in the United States

How much does a Small Business Controller make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Small Business Controller in the United States is $85,089 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $99,991
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $73,852 to $92,889
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,621
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Small Business Controller Salaries

A Small Business 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 Small Business 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 Small Business Controllers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $94,210.
  • California: $93,853.
  • Massachusetts: $92,602.

Top Paying Cities for Small Business 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: $107,322
  • San Francisco: $106,147
  • Oakland: $103,910

What Skills Can Increase a Small Business Controller's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 7.81% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Business Administration (Mentioned in 1.04% Job Postings): It is the management of all aspects of a business's performance, decisions, and organization. It includes the day to day operations, aspects including finances and human resources, and ensures the company stays aligned to the goal or mission.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 1.04% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 7.81%
Business Administration 1.04%
PowerPoint 1.04%
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 Small Business Controller's salary.

  • Proposal Development: Can increase your salary by up to 68%.
  • Contract Preparation: Can increase your salary by up to 55%.
  • Technical Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Proposal Development $142,949
68%
Contract Preparation $131,887
55%
Technical Skills $97,852
15%
Get Latest Data

Small Business Controller Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Small Business Controller roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 40% above the average. Conversely, Small Business Controller positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Small Business Controller as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Small Business Controller

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$119,124$57.040%

How Education impacts a Small Business Controller's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Small Business 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 Small Business Controller with a Bachelor's Degree is between $81,826 and $88,204).

Small Business Controller Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Small Business Controller
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 21.6%
Associates 8.2%
Bachelors 28.9%
Masters 36.1%
Doctorate 4.1%
View as Graph

Small Business Controller Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Small Business 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 October 01, 2026
$73,852
Average $85,089/year
$92,889
$6,154
Average $7,091/month
$7,741
$1,420
Average $1,636/week
$1,786
$36
Average $41/hour
$45
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $92,889 $7,741 $1,786 $45
Average $85,089 $7,091 $1,636 $41
25th Percentile $73,852 $6,154 $1,420 $36

Most common benefits for Small Business Controller

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

Common company salaries for Small Business Controller

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

Find Your Next Small Business Controller Job

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

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Small Business Controller

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Small Business Controller?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Small Business Controller roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst