Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of accounting clerks that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of accounting clerks:
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Accounting Analyst is the highest-paid type of accounting clerk with an average salary of $58,399 and an average hourly rate of $28.08.
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The second highest-paying type of accounting clerk is accounting associate, with an average salary of $50,537.
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The average accounting clerk salary is $38,683 per year, and the average hourly pay is $18.60.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as an accounting clerk, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of accounting clerks are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of accounting clerks:
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Accounting Analyst
Average Salary: $58,399
An accounting analyst is responsible for supporting the accounting operations of an organization, analyzing financial transactions and financial statements, and resolving account discrepancies. Accounting analysts interpret financial data by consolidating account transactions, performing account reconciliation, and managing account receivables. They also assist in preparing and releasing invoices, issuing billing statements, and creating comprehensive financial reports on the company’s budget and expenses. An accounting analyst must have excellent knowledge of the accounting principles and disciplines, as well as extensive analytical and communication skills to perform duties and meet deadlines under minimal supervision.
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Accounting Associate
Average Salary: $50,537
An accounting associate is responsible for supporting the operations of the accounting department, ensuring the stability of the financial services and status of an organization. Accounting associates process invoices, update client accounts on the database, manage financial reports, assist with tax auditing and processing, monitoring the financial statements and activities of the organization, escalate financial disputes, and verify accounts receivable. An accounting associate must have excellent knowledge of the accounting industry, as well as exceptional analytical and time-management skills to perform clerical duties as needed under minimal supervision.
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Junior Accountant
Average Salary: $50,444
Junior accountants maintain the financial records of companies through the analysis of their general ledger accounts and balance sheets. The accountant’s post journal entries, maintain accounts receivable and payable, and update financial statements. They pay payroll every month, reconcile ledgers, and submit payroll taxes. The skills necessary for this job include analytical skills, problem-solving, information confidentiality, and proficiency in accounting software and technology. They are also expected to be detail-oriented.
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Account Associate
Average Salary: $48,927
An account associate is responsible for supporting the accounting and finance department in performing accounting operations, bookkeeping functions, and other related clerical tasks. Account associates analyze and sort financial statements accordingly, assist on payroll processing, evaluate account reconciliations and receivables, create financial reports, and updating recent account information on the database. They also handle clients’ inquiries and concerns, routing calls to the appropriate accounting staff or department. An account associate must have excellent analytical and communication skills, as well as comprehensive knowledge of the accounting principles.
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Accounting Administrator
Average Salary: $48,068
An accounting administrator is responsible for reviewing and analyzing account statements, managing deposits, and resolving bank discrepancies and financial disputes. Accounting administrators handle the efficient and accurate cash flow within an organization, including payroll release and filing of petty cash. They maintain an organized record of payments and billing statements for reference and audit purposes to generate reports for the management. An accounting administrator must have extensive knowledge of the accounting principles, as well as excellent communication and analytical skills to perform duties effectively, even under minimal supervision.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various accounting clerk that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Accounting Clerks
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accounting Analyst | |
| 2 | Accounting Associate | |
| 3 | Junior Accountant | |
| 4 | Account Associate | |
| 5 | Accounting Administrator | |
| 6 | Senior Accounting Clerk | |
| 7 | Accounting Coordinator | |
| 8 | Accounting Representative | |
| 9 | Accounting Technician | |
| 10 | Bookkeeper | |
| 11 | Audit Clerk | |
| 12 | Accounts Payable Associate | |
| 13 | Finance Clerk | |
| 14 | Accounts Payable Clerk | |
| 15 | Accountable Clerk | |
| 16 | Accounts Receivable Clerk | |
| 17 | Operations Clerk | |
| 18 | Control Clerk | |
| 19 | Clerk | |
| 20 | Accounting Internship |
Methodology
Zippia uses publicly published information 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 create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for accounting clerks.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Accounting Clerk Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid accounting clerk job?
The highest-paid accounting clerk job is an accounting analyst. Accounting Analysts earn an average salary of $58,399, which is $ 28.08 hourly.
An accounting analyst is responsible for supporting the accounting operations of an organization, analyzing financial transactions and financial statements, and resolving account discrepancies. Accounting analysts interpret financial data by consolidating account transactions, performing account reconciliation, and managing account receivables. They also assist in preparing and releasing invoices, issuing billing statements, and creating comprehensive financial reports on the company’s budget and expenses. An accounting analyst must have excellent knowledge of the accounting principles and disciplines, as well as extensive analytical and communication skills to perform duties and meet deadlines under minimal supervision.
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What is a good salary for an accounting clerk?
A good salary for an accounting clerk is $38,683 or more. The average accounting clerk salary is $38,683, so those making at least $38,683 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average accounting clerk salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as an accounting clerk, the average entry level salary is $27,336, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $38,683 average, as this includes all accounting clerks of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Accounting Clerk jobs pay well?
No, accounting clerk jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some accounting clerk jobs pay better than others, but the average accounting clerk salary of $38,683 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many accounting clerk jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of accounting clerks earning $51,278 a year on average.
Accounting Clerks’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as an accounting clerk. Do your research on the going rate for an accounting clerk in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do accounting clerks get paid the most?
Accounting Clerks get paid the most in Connecticut. In Connecticut, accounting clerks earn an average annual salary of $46,916 and an average hourly wage of $22.56.
Following CT, the states with the highest-paid accounting clerks are Alaska, New York, and District of Columbia, with average annual salaries of $45,468, $48,197, and $54,237 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid accounting clerk salaries are:
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Washington, DC – $54,288
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San Francisco, CA – $49,701
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New York, NY – $48,311
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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.
