How much does an accountant make?
a year · about $40 an hour
A typical accountant in the United States makes $83,680 a year, about $40 an hour, about 1.6× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They check financial statements and account books for mistakes and make sure records follow the rules. They may prepare tax returns or write reports, then explain what they found to managers or clients.
Did you know? Accountants can act like financial detectives: they look for clues of fraud, waste, or rule-breaking in an organization's records.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $56,020 and $144,090How do you become one?
In the US, most people earn a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field, then start an entry-level job, often in their early 20s. To become a CPA, they must meet state education and experience rules and pass the CPA Exam.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like keeping things organized and leading and selling
Why does pay differ?
In the US, pay can rise with experience, a CPA license, specialist skills, or more responsibility. It also varies by employer or industry and location, where local demand and living costs matter.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in District of Columbia ($111,530), lowest in Arkansas ($66,330).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
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Kids' questions
In Japan, a accountant averages $54,054. Accountant salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $56,020 | $83,680 | $144,090 | about 1.4 million |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,530 | about 10,000 |
| New York | $102,640 | about 110,000 |
| New Jersey | $100,830 | about 42,000 |
| Massachusetts | $99,460 | about 46,000 |
| Connecticut | $97,550 | about 17,000 |
Official definition: Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data. Excludes “Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents” (13-2081).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-2011.00
- nasba.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CPA-Exam-Candidate-Guide-03262025.pdf
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY