Research Summary. Utilizing a blend of public government data and insights from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has produced average salary estimates for accountant roles across the United States. This analysis highlights the highest-paying accountant positions based on their average annual salaries, reflecting the evolving job market.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of accountants:
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Senior Tax Accountant remains the top-paid accountant role, with an average salary of $77,537 and an hourly rate of $37.28.
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The second highest-paying position is that of a Certified Public Accountant, earning an average salary of $76,693.
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The overall average salary for accountants is now $54,890 annually, translating to an hourly wage of $26.39.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be challenging, and while salary is an important factor, it should not be the only consideration. If you aspire to work as an accountant, understanding the highest-paid accounting roles can help you strategically plan your career advancement in today’s dynamic job market.
Here are the top salaries for various types of accountants:
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Senior Tax Accountant
Average Salary: $77,537
Senior Tax Accountants advise on tax strategies and assist with the preparation of federal, state, and local taxes. They engage with clients to resolve minor tax issues and collaborate with the Senior Tax Manager to ensure compliance with applicable tax regulations.
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Certified Public Accountant
Average Salary: $76,693
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) serves as a key financial advisor to both small businesses and large corporations, offering expertise in accounting and taxation. Becoming a CPA involves obtaining an accounting degree, passing the CPA exam, and securing a CPA license.
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Senior Accountant Analyst
Average Salary: $75,282
As a Senior Accountant Analyst, your primary responsibility is to provide strategic guidance within a company. You are expected to prepare comprehensive financial reports that accurately reflect expenses and predict the organization’s financial trajectory while ensuring compliance and accuracy.
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Senior Accountant
Average Salary: $71,967
A Senior Accountant is accountable for structuring financial reports, analyzing cost estimates, reviewing budgets, and managing account reconciliations. Their role includes preparing tax documents, maintaining audit records, and generating invoices while providing actionable insights to minimize financial risks.
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Senior Cost Accountant
Average Salary: $65,824
A Senior Cost Accountant manages cost data, providing analyses that support operational efficiency and sales strategies. They are responsible for inventory oversight and collaboration with manufacturing teams to enhance cost control.
Below is a detailed table outlining the average compensation for various accounting roles, followed by an explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Accountants
Methodology
Zippia gathers publicly available data from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to formulate its salary estimates.
The data science team also reviews job postings and company resources to obtain current salary information for accountants.
After collecting the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title to ensure accuracy. For more details on our salary estimates, please read our detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Accountant Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid accountant job?
The highest-paid accountant job is a Senior Tax Accountant. Senior Tax Accountants earn an average salary of $77,537, which equates to $37.28 per hour.
Senior Tax Accountants provide tax strategy recommendations, assist in preparing federal, state, and local tax returns, and work with the senior Tax Manager to ensure compliance with tax regulations.
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What is a good salary for an accountant?
A good salary for an accountant is $54,890 or more. The average salary for accountants stands at $54,890, meaning those earning this amount are above the average pay scale.
However, remember that the average salary can vary significantly based on geographic location, as companies adjust their pay scales according to local living costs. It’s essential to research the average salary in your area for your experience level to evaluate your compensation accurately.
Moreover, for those just starting their accounting careers, the average entry-level salary is approximately $36,271, so it’s crucial not to compare entry-level salaries with the overall average.
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Do accountant jobs pay well?
Yes, accountant jobs pay well. While salary levels can vary widely among different accounting positions, the average salary of $54,890 is considerably higher than the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
Additionally, many accounting roles offer significant earning potential, with the top 10% of accountants earning an average of $88,377 annually.
Keep in mind that salaries fluctuate based on experience, industry, and location, so it’s essential to do your homework on the going rates for accountants in your area and negotiate your salary accordingly.
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Where do accountants get paid the most?
Accountants earn the highest salaries in the District of Columbia. In the District of Columbia, accountants have an average annual salary of $71,993, with an hourly wage of $34.61.
Following DC, the states that offer the highest compensation for accountants include New York, Connecticut, and Delaware, with average salaries of $68,366, $62,386, and $59,242, respectively.
Additionally, the cities that provide the highest salaries for accountants are:
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Washington, DC – $71,991
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New York, NY – $68,492
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Fort Lee, NJ – $67,932
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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.
