How much does a bookkeeper make?
a year · about $24 an hour
A typical bookkeeper in the United States makes $50,670 a year, about $24 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
Bookkeepers enter bills and receipts into accounting software, then compare records to check that the numbers match. If they spot a difference, they investigate and report it; they may also prepare a report showing money in and out.
Did you know? Some bookkeepers are “full-charge” clerks who maintain an organization's entire set of books, not just one small part.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $36,000 and $74,550How do you become one?
In the U.S., finish high school and, if possible, take college accounting courses; employers’ requirements differ. New clerks learn the software and tasks on the job, and professional certification is optional.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like keeping things organized and leading and selling
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay varies with experience, optional certification, location, and the employer or industry. More specialized, responsible duties may bring higher pay; some clerks also work extra hours around tax time or year-end.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in District of Columbia ($65,180), lowest in Mississippi ($42,840).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
In Japan, a accounting clerk averages $34,149. Bookkeeper salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $36,000 | $50,670 | $74,550 | about 1.4 million |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $65,180 | about 2,000 |
| Connecticut | $59,970 | about 15,000 |
| Massachusetts | $59,830 | about 29,000 |
| California | $59,230 | about 152,000 |
| Washington | $58,620 | about 33,000 |
Official definition: Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers. Excludes “Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks” (43-3051).
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/office-and-administrative-support/bookkeeping-accounting-and-aud
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/43-3031.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY