How much does a Principal Accountant make?

As of March 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Principal Accountant in the United States is $165,449. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $146,225 to $189,518, with most professionals earning between $128,722 and $211,432.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Principal Accountant Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Principal Accountant Salary $128,722 US March 01, 2025
25th Percentile Principal Accountant Salary $146,225 US March 01, 2025
50th Percentile Principal Accountant Salary $165,449 US March 01, 2025
75th Percentile Principal Accountant Salary $189,518 US March 01, 2025
90th Percentile Principal Accountant Salary $211,432 US March 01, 2025
25% $146,225 10% $128,722 90% $211,432 75% $189,518 $165,449 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Principal Accountant

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Job Openings for Principal Accountant

Career Path for this job

  1. Down a level:

    Accounting Director


    Bachelor's Degree

  2. This Job:

    Principal Accountant


    Master's Degree or MBA

  3. Up a level:

    SVP of Accounting


    Master's Degree or MBA

Understand the total compensation opportunity for a Principal Accountant, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
146225
189518
165449

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
146225
189518
165449
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Principal Accountant in the United States. The base salary for Principal Accountant ranges from $146,225 to $189,518 with the average base salary of $165,449. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $146,225 to $189,518 with the average total cash compensation of $165,449.

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146225
189518

 

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