Research Summary. After comprehensive analysis by the Zippia data science team, we present the latest insights on bookkeeper salaries across the United States in 2026:
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New York boasts the highest bookkeeper salary at $48,079
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New Mexico has the lowest bookkeeper salary, reported at $30,682
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The national average salary for bookkeepers is $40,337
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The national hourly wage for bookkeepers stands at $19.39
For further details, you can explore our specific methodology.
Background
In various surveys, salary remains the most critical factor for job seekers, particularly for those in fields like bookkeeping. Many individuals ask, “How much do bookkeepers earn in my area?”
While personal circumstances will influence your specific salary, we provide robust data on average salaries for bookkeepers by state, categorized by experience level. Even if your local salary differs slightly from the state average, these figures offer a solid benchmark for what to expect.
As of 2026, New York continues to lead as the state with the highest average salary for bookkeepers.
Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for bookkeeper salaries:
Let’s explore the detailed salary insights across all states.
Highest-Paid Bookkeepers By State
| Rank | State | Average Bookkeeper Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $48,079 | $35,000 | $64,000 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $47,205 | $36,000 | $61,000 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $46,977 | $35,000 | $62,000 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $46,773 | $34,000 | $63,000 |
| 5 | Alaska | $45,253 | $38,000 | $53,000 |
| 6 | Delaware | $44,991 | $33,000 | $60,000 |
| 7 | Washington | $44,515 | $34,000 | $57,000 |
| 8 | Maryland | $44,494 | $33,000 | $59,000 |
| 9 | California | $43,976 | $32,000 | $58,000 |
| 10 | Hawaii | $43,889 | $35,000 | $54,000 |
| 11 | Oregon | $41,419 | $31,000 | $54,000 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $40,965 | $31,000 | $52,000 |
| 13 | Illinois | $40,846 | $31,000 | $53,000 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $40,629 | $30,000 | $53,000 |
| 15 | Virginia | $40,593 | $30,000 | $53,000 |
| 16 | Vermont | $40,247 | $31,000 | $51,000 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | $40,209 | $29,000 | $54,000 |
| 18 | New Hampshire | $40,115 | $31,000 | $51,000 |
| 19 | Texas | $39,159 | $30,000 | $50,000 |
| 20 | Colorado | $38,740 | $30,000 | $49,000 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $38,412 | $29,000 | $50,000 |
| 22 | Georgia | $38,301 | $30,000 | $48,000 |
| 23 | Nevada | $38,053 | $28,000 | $50,000 |
| 24 | Arizona | $38,035 | $28,000 | $49,000 |
| 25 | Florida | $37,832 | $29,000 | $48,000 |
| 26 | Ohio | $37,663 | $28,000 | $49,000 |
| 27 | Michigan | $37,537 | $28,000 | $50,000 |
| 28 | Wyoming | $37,247 | $29,000 | $47,000 |
| 29 | Maine | $37,099 | $29,000 | $46,000 |
| 30 | Missouri | $36,784 | $28,000 | $47,000 |
| 31 | North Carolina | $36,655 | $28,000 | $47,000 |
| 32 | Idaho | $36,245 | $28,000 | $46,000 |
| 33 | Tennessee | $36,228 | $28,000 | $46,000 |
| 34 | South Carolina | $36,194 | $28,000 | $46,000 |
| 35 | Utah | $36,016 | $28,000 | $46,000 |
| 36 | Indiana | $35,575 | $27,000 | $46,000 |
| 37 | Oklahoma | $35,248 | $27,000 | $44,000 |
| 38 | Alabama | $35,248 | $27,000 | $44,000 |
| 39 | Iowa | $35,192 | $27,000 | $45,000 |
| 40 | North Dakota | $35,169 | $27,000 | $44,000 |
| 41 | Kentucky | $34,725 | $26,000 | $44,000 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $34,478 | $26,000 | $44,000 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $34,114 | $26,000 | $43,000 |
| 44 | Kansas | $33,563 | $26,000 | $42,000 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $32,660 | $25,000 | $41,000 |
| 46 | Nebraska | $32,648 | $25,000 | $41,000 |
| 47 | West Virginia | $32,418 | $24,000 | $42,000 |
| 48 | Montana | $31,625 | $24,000 | $40,000 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $31,329 | $24,000 | $39,000 |
| 50 | New Mexico | $30,682 | $23,000 | $39,000 |
Methodology: Bookkeeper Salary By State
To provide accurate insights into bookkeeper salaries by state, Zippia has compiled data from various reputable sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Federal Labor Commission (FLC), and Office of Personnel Management (OPM). We enhance this data with actual salaries listed in job postings. Our data science team calculates a weighted average based on these inputs to determine the average bookkeeper salary for each state.
We ranked each state based on the average annual salary figures, identifying the state with the highest average as the top-paying area for bookkeepers.
Bookkeeper Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for bookkeepers?
The highest-paid state for bookkeepers is New York, offering an average salary of $48,079 per year.
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What city pays bookkeepers the most?
Washington, DC leads in bookkeeper salaries, with an average of $48,188 per year.
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What is the worst state for bookkeepers?
The state with the lowest average salary for bookkeepers is New Mexico, where the average salary is $30,682 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
