Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for senior auditors in the United States
Senior auditor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected senior auditor job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 81,800 new jobs for senior auditors are projected over the next decade.
Senior auditor salaries have increased 8% for senior auditors in the last 5 years.
There are over 217,226 senior auditors currently employed in the United States.
There are 23,025 active senior auditor job openings in the US.
The average senior auditor salary is $74,382.
Are senior auditor jobs in demand?
Senior auditor job and salary trends over time
Senior auditor jobs over time
Senior auditor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 217,226 | 0.06% |
| 2020 | 209,939 | 0.06% |
| 2019 | 210,928 | 0.06% |
| 2018 | 207,171 | 0.06% |
| 2017 | 203,782 | 0.06% |
Average senior auditor salary over time
Senior auditor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $74,382 | $35.76 | +2.8% |
| 2025 | $72,349 | $34.78 | +1.5% |
| 2024 | $71,287 | $34.27 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $70,125 | $33.71 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $68,911 | $33.13 | +1.4% |
Senior auditor jobs by state
Most common states for senior auditors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 141 | 20% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 388 | 6% |
| 3 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 61 | 6% |
| 4 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 619 | 5% |
| 5 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 483 | 5% |
| 6 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 418 | 5% |
| 7 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 318 | 5% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 266 | 5% |
| 9 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 149 | 5% |
| 10 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 147 | 5% |
| 11 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 48 | 5% |
| 12 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 750 | 4% |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 481 | 4% |
| 14 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 425 | 4% |
| 15 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 243 | 4% |
| 16 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 175 | 4% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 150 | 4% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 81 | 4% |
| 19 | Delaware | 961,939 | 39 | 4% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 26 | 4% |
Most common cities for senior auditors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Des Moines | 6 | 9% | $60,265 |
| 2 | Wilmington | 6 | 8% | $86,462 |
| 3 | Chandler | 10 | 4% | $67,074 |
| 4 | Atlanta | 16 | 3% | $71,218 |
| 5 | Tampa | 13 | 3% | $65,414 |
| 6 | Grand Rapids | 5 | 3% | $68,218 |
| 7 | Denver | 15 | 2% | $63,846 |
| 8 | Miami | 8 | 2% | $64,536 |
| 9 | Des Moines | 5 | 2% | $60,467 |
| 10 | Chicago | 14 | 1% | $74,055 |
| 11 | Phoenix | 10 | 1% | $66,993 |
| 12 | Washington | 8 | 1% | $97,972 |
| 13 | Boston | 7 | 1% | $78,408 |
| 14 | Sacramento | 7 | 1% | $83,513 |
| 15 | Baltimore | 6 | 1% | $78,437 |
| 16 | Detroit | 6 | 1% | $70,201 |
| 17 | Indianapolis | 6 | 1% | $70,096 |
| 18 | Charlotte | 5 | 1% | $73,423 |
| 19 | New York | 6 | 0% | $88,508 |
| 20 | San Antonio | 6 | 0% | $70,409 |
Senior Auditor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior auditor experts
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Bucknell University
Saint Cloud State University
The Institut of Internal Auditors
The Weinman Group
What general advice would you give to a Senior Auditor?
Dr. Kelly Green: AI and DATA ANALYTICS!!! The typical role of a new accounting professional is shifting from typical bookkeeping to being able to process data in a meaningful way. Being versed with data analytical tools and techniques will likely be essential. In addition being able to work efficiently in a flexible environment will be helpful as the office place for accountants can be just about anywhere with remote capabilities being taken advantage of in each business.
What Senior Auditor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kelly Green: Education and Certificates pull a lot when determining the salaries and positions offered. Quite simply higher degrees and relevant certifications will lead to higher salaries. Aside from that, gaining experience and staying up to date with salary trends in your particular field of accounting will allow you to explore new opportunities with higher salaries.
What will help Senior Auditors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Kelly Green: I would say taking advantage of networking to build relationships with professionals in the accounting field. At our university for example we typically host multiple events in which students are able to engage with the professional community and create relationships that land them jobs, this seems especially true if students intend on becoming auditors. For a town the size of Lafayette (not tiny but certainly not Houston), it's a pretty tight knit community, many of the firms tend to know each other, this includes who is working for them so reputation is fantastic to build.
Also, make certain to attain some sort of professional certification, while CPA's are typically most desirable a CMA may give a new professional an advantage when seeking opportunities. Similarly, if there is a region you would like to wind up, specialize in an industry that is prevalent where you would like to practice.
Stacy Mastrolia Ph.D.
Associate Professor of AccountingBucknell University
Freeman College of Management
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Auditor job market given the pandemic?
Stacy Mastrolia Ph.D.: I expect to see employers continue to screen candidates and conduct interviews remotely. This really emphasizes the need for job candidates to develop an impressive professional online appearance and demeanor. Judging from how students appear in remote class meetings, some students really need to work on this. There are plenty of online sources that talk about lighting, camera position and staged backgrounds to help a job candidate put their best foot forward in an online interview. And, of course, candidates should get rid of any distractions (like their phones) and stay focused on the interview - even though their computer is open, an interview is not the time to multi-task.
During the job interview, I expect hiring managers will try to evaluate a candidate's ability to innovate with technology. Job candidates should inquire what technology an employer uses to accomplish their day-to-day work and then be proactive and familiarize themselves with those programs or apps before their first day at their new job. Also, I think we will see hiring managers evaluating a candidate's ability to work independently and to work in virtual teams. In this case, most current students should be able to point to specific projects, assignments, and activities that they successfully completed during the past year as most students have experienced some level of remote learning. Candidates who can demonstrate effective collaboration in a remote environment will be highly valued by employers.
What soft skills should all Senior Auditors possess?
Stacy Mastrolia Ph.D.: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, accountants should possess analytical skills, critical-thinking skills, and communication skills. They should also be detail-oriented and possess strong math and organizational skills (www.bls.gov). Of course, we can all agree that technology and teamwork skills are also necessary for successful accountants.
While these skills are still in high demand for accountants, post-pandemic, I believe we will see an increased need for job candidates to demonstrate flexibility and adaptability. This year's graduates are entering a work environment that is not "traditional"; at this point it seems unlikely that this year's graduates will start their careers in a traditional office (or at a client) in close proximity to more experienced professionals who are immediately available to provide instruction and assistance. So, this year's graduates need to be prepared - professionally and emotionally - to adapt to the work environment in place at their employer. And they need to be prepared for that environment to change with little warning. This semester I am teaching almost exclusively undergraduate seniors, and at Bucknell we started classes in-person, after one week we went remote for two weeks and now we are back to in-person learning. During these transitions, I have found that some students are struggling to keep up with the material; they are falling behind and missing deadlines in far greater numbers than in previous semesters. The ability to be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances while still accomplishing goals will be in great demand by employers.
I also think that graduates should place an emphasis on developing time-management skills and the ability to prioritize effectively. Alternative work environments, like working remotely, remove certain cues that the day is passing. For example, in a "normal" work day, a young professional would find routines including a mid-morning coffee break and lunch with friends or colleagues and these daily routines would help to mark the passing of time. When someone works from home, these cues may not occur naturally so time can "slip away". Also, working from home provides any number of distractions that may seem urgent in the moment but are not important to achieve that day's work goals; effectively prioritizing tasks in a distracting environment is a skill that will also be in great demand by employers.
How have salaries changed over time for Senior Auditors?
Stacy Mastrolia Ph.D.: This is an interesting question. In 1989, I entered the workforce as a staff auditor for a Big 6 public accounting firm in NJ. My starting salary was $25,000 per year with paid overtime. According to an online inflation calculator, that would be $52,700 in 2021 dollars. According to the 2021 Robert Half Accounting & Finance Salary Guide, the starting salary for the same position in the same geographic location would be $61,250. So, inflation adjusted salaries for staff auditors have increased at a 16% premium over the past 32 years or a mere 0.05% per year on average. And, in most firms, staff auditors are no longer paid overtime. On the other hand, the public accounting firms, on average, have much better benefits today than 30 years ago.
Joseph D. Haley Ph.D.
ProfessorSaint Cloud State University
Department of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Auditor job market given the pandemic?
Joseph D. Haley Ph.D.: I don't have much to say on this question because I haven't heard anything about the job market being affected by the pandemic. Certain lines of insurance may have reduced exposures and claims activity. For example, working from home likely impacts workers' compensation claims, and reduced economic activity and labor hours reduces workers' compensation exposures. People are driving less, so there is less auto exposure, and probably claims. These lowered activity levels may affect hiring.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Senior Auditors in the next 3-5 years?
Joseph D. Haley Ph.D.: The first item to discuss here is 'big data,' which isn't exactly new but is definitely here to stay. By big data, I mean insurance companies are gathering a large amount of data on individuals and businesses alike and using the data to price insurance products. Insurers use multiple credit report variables, make and model of a car, length of commute, and many other data points to price their products. A consumer's first thought might be, "How is my credit report indicative of my driving?" The answer is the insurers have discovered the credit report variables help them determine the probability of someone filing a claim.
The second item to discuss here, the developing area known as 'insuretech.' Insuretech can be described as the technology being developed to make insurance methods more efficient. For example, maybe Uber and Lyft drivers can buy insurance on a per-ride basis. If developed, such transactions might take place multiple times a day. The coverage purchased more closely matches the exposure. Another example, which is already found a place in the market, is devices installed in cars to monitor insureds driving habits. I think smartphones can be used for this as well. The purpose is, again, to more closely match exposure risk to price. I suspect there are many insuretech ideas out there that I haven't even heard of.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Senior Auditors in the next 5 years?
Joseph D. Haley Ph.D.: I think the demand for risk management and insurance graduates will increase in the next five years. Economic activity is the main driver of insurance demand. The more businesses, the more goods and services being produced, the more wealth is accumulated, the greater the demand for insurance of all types. Individuals and businesses want to protect their property and income flow from direct loss, lawsuits, untimely poor health, and death.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Auditor?
Richard Chambers: While the COVID-19 pandemic has created numerous challenges across industries and professions, it also has created opportunities for internal auditors at all levels, including those new to the profession, to step up and play a role in helping their organizations navigate through the issues to ensure positive outcomes.
"Based on our research, accounting/finance remains the most recruited academic degree, but the evolving nature of business and risks demands having individuals who bring a broader array of skills into the internal audit workplace. There's also an accelerated movement for what I call "Uber" auditors, those who may not be on staff but whose experience in, for example, cybersecurity or AI, are sorely needed. Graduates may find the first critical step in their career is specialization rather than generalization, so an education - perhaps even a dual degree - in technology, for example, may make you more appealing.
Additionally, internal audit employers are demanding strong soft skills, such as effective verbal and written communications, relationship acumen, critical thinking, and an eye for detail.
Early during the pandemic, we saw some tightening among internal audit departments, as most organizations were making adjustments overall due to the economic impact of COVID-19. Based on additional research, however, we know opportunities still exist in this environment and when we return to 'normal.' In this year's Pulse of Internal Audit survey, of the respondents who filled positions in the preceding 12 months, 47% reported they hired professionals who had not been internal auditors previously. A notable 28% of respondents had hired students or recent graduates, as well.
The IIA has begun a new program, in collaboration with AuditBoard, to provide existing internal auditors and those pursuing a career in the profession, including college students and graduates, access to training and educational courses provided by The IIA for those who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic pressures. The $500,000 'Elevate Internal Audit Scholarship Program' is providing scholarships that can be used to participate in IIA training and certification programs regardless of their professional level or ability to pay. More information on the scholarship program, including how to apply, can be found on The IIA's website at www.theiia.org.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Auditor job market given the pandemic?
Todd Weninman: The big challenge for students graduating in 2020 is that public accounting firms (the most common path of entry in to the field) reduce their hiring classes during economic downturns, so there are just fewer opportunities to go around. That means that some students will have to get a little creative with the start of their career. I would look for any roles related to audit/accounting or in IT for those looking to pursue an IT audit career, so that you are still doing work related to the field, and then try to transition into public accounting a year or so down the road. Contract engagements or temporary work in accounting or IT-related areas can also be a way to get your feet wet in the field. This would also be a great time to study and sit for the CPA, CISA or other key certifications, or to take some grad-level coursework. The good news is that the accounting/audit professions are doing very well, and if you can get your foot in the door, a couple years down the road, companies will be fighting over you.
Alicja Foksińska
Lead IT Auditor at Protective Life, and ISACA Birmingham Chapter PresidentWhat technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Senior Auditors in the next 3-5 years?
Alicja Foksińska: In the world of auditing, I believe that auditing the "intangible" is on the horizon, which means that auditors will need to understand what data their company collects and how they can use this data for an audit. Data analytics will be key, as more audit shops will be connecting multiple data sources to uncover ever deeper insights of the business. Rather than focusing on using a specific new technology or software, increasing maturity of data analytics and advancing its application on the data that the company collects, or should collect, will be more important for IT auditors going forward.
For example, company culture is not easily quantifiable as its scope is wide and divided among many different segments comprising of employee benefits and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, and continuous learning opportunities for the employees. With more companies allowing their employees to permanently work from home, auditors will be asked to answer questions ranging from employee productivity, burnout, to employee identity with the company.
It will be the job of auditors to look at the data landscape of the company and see what data points could help tell the story of the "intangibles," thus unveiling new knowledge for the company.