Entry-Level Accountant Salary (2026): What New Grad Accountants Actually Make
The average entry-level accountant salary is $60,308 per year ($28.99/hour) in 2026, based on the 10th percentile of BLS wage data. New accountant starting pay ranges from $24,575 to $84,037 in Sunnyvale, CA — driven by Big 4 (Deloitte, EY, PwC, KPMG) vs national vs regional vs industry tier, CPA pathway, 150-hour rule, and audit vs tax vs advisory practice.
2019 BLS
$44,480
2025 BLS
$56,020
2026 Current Est.
$57,482
2019–2027 Growth
+32.6%
National Entry-Level Accountant Salary Trend (10th Percentile)
2019–2025: BLS OEWS actual data. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Entry-Level Salary (P10) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,482 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,982 | Projected |
Entry-level accountant salaries (10th percentile) have shown consistent growth over 7 years of BLS data. The 10th percentile represents typical starting pay for new graduates and early-career professionals. At the current 2.61% CAGR, starting salaries are projected to continue rising through 2027.
Note: BLS actual data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. Estimated and projected values are calculated using a 2.61% historical CAGR. Actual compensation may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Accountant Salary by State
Entry-level accountant pay varies dramatically by state. The top-paying states offer starting salaries well above $60,308, while others fall below the national average. Here are all 52 states ranked by average starting salary for accountants.
| # | State | Avg Starting Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $72,778 |
| 2 | Washington | $72,128 |
| 3 | New York | $71,308 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $69,293 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $66,817 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $65,493 |
| 7 | California | $65,145 |
| 8 | Oregon | $64,755 |
| 9 | South Dakota | $64,162 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $63,330 |
| 11 | Colorado | $63,037 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $62,738 |
| 13 | Vermont | $62,426 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $62,156 |
| 15 | Alaska | $60,783 |
| 16 | Wisconsin | $60,482 |
| 17 | Maine | $60,248 |
| 18 | Illinois | $60,130 |
| 19 | Maryland | $60,090 |
| 20 | Nevada | $59,714 |
| 21 | Arizona | $58,130 |
| 22 | Texas | $57,875 |
| 23 | North Carolina | $57,839 |
| 24 | Virginia | $57,678 |
| 25 | Michigan | $57,233 |
| 26 | New Mexico | $56,468 |
| 27 | Georgia | $56,381 |
| 28 | Ohio | $56,342 |
| 29 | Pennsylvania | $56,264 |
| 30 | Iowa | $55,089 |
| 31 | Kentucky | $54,202 |
| 32 | Wyoming | $53,622 |
| 33 | Kansas | $53,487 |
| 34 | Indiana | $53,226 |
| 35 | Missouri | $53,101 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $52,839 |
| 37 | Alabama | $52,765 |
| 38 | Nebraska | $52,466 |
| 39 | South Carolina | $52,159 |
| 40 | Idaho | $52,146 |
| 41 | Montana | $52,066 |
| 42 | Hawaii | $51,572 |
| 43 | Florida | $51,500 |
| 44 | West Virginia | $51,457 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $51,160 |
| 46 | North Dakota | $50,909 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $50,438 |
| 48 | Delaware | $50,432 |
| 49 | Utah | $50,153 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $48,597 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $47,550 |
| 52 | Puerto Rico | $27,772 |
Beginner Accountant Pay: Top 20 Cities
These 20 metro areas offer the highest starting salaries for new accountants. Each figure represents the 10th percentile of local BLS wage data — the typical pay range for professionals with little to no experience.
| # | City | Starting Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunnyvale, CA | $84,037 |
| 2 | Santa Clara, CA | $82,146 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $80,487 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $75,336 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $75,162 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $74,341 |
| 7 | Oakland, CA | $74,097 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $73,725 |
| 9 | Princeton, NJ | $71,412 |
| 10 | Newton, MA | $71,381 |
| 11 | Alexandria, VA | $71,173 |
| 12 | Bridgeport, CT | $71,098 |
| 13 | Kaneohe, HI | $70,541 |
| 14 | Mililani Town, HI | $70,106 |
| 15 | Stamford, CT | $69,931 |
| 16 | Kailua, HI | $69,848 |
| 17 | Kearny, NJ | $69,823 |
| 18 | Manalapan, NJ | $69,623 |
| 19 | Old Bridge, NJ | $69,323 |
| 20 | Washington, DC | $69,293 |
Accountant Salary With No Experience: New Grad Reality
The 10th percentile of BLS wage data is the standard proxy for entry-level accountant pay — it represents what the lowest-paid 10% of accountants in a given metro area earn, predominantly new grads in their first year as staff accountants / staff auditors. Nationally, that sits at $60,308 ($28.99/hour) for 2026. New accountant offers vary widely — Big 4 vs national (RSM, BDO, Grant Thornton, Crowe) vs regional vs industry-direct entry pay very differently.
What New Grad Accountants Actually Earn (Year 1)
- Big 4 staff accountant (top tier public accounting) — Deloitte, EY, PwC, KPMG. NYC / SF / Boston / DC $75,000–$90,000 base + signing + bonus. Other major metros $65,000–$80,000. Strong CPA support + structured advancement.
- National firm staff (RSM, BDO, Grant Thornton, Crowe, Baker Tilly) — $58,000–$75,000 base + signing + bonus. Top metro $65,000–$80,000.
- FAANG / Big Tech corporate accounting — Meta, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Netflix. $85,000–$110,000 base + stock + bonus. Premium new-grad accounting path.
- Fintech / Wall Street corporate accounting (JPM, Goldman, Citi, BAML) — $75,000–$95,000 base + bonus.
- Regional public accounting firm — $48,000–$65,000 base + bonus.
- Fortune 500 industry direct entry (corporate accounting / financial reporting) — $60,000–$78,000 base + bonus.
- Government accounting (GS-7 to GS-9 — IRS, GAO, Treasury, DCAA) — $50,000–$70,000 base + pension + PSLF.
- Nonprofit / NPO accounting — $45,000–$60,000 base + PSLF eligible.
- Small / local CPA firm — $42,000–$55,000 base.
- Forensic accounting (FBI, KPMG forensic, BDO forensic) — premium specialty. $65,000–$85,000 base + bonus.
CPA Pathway + 150-Hour Rule
- 150 credit hour requirement — required for CPA licensure in most states. Driving force for Master's in Accounting (MAcc) programs.
- CPA Exam (4 sections: AUD, FAR, REG, BEC → 2024 CPA Evolution: Core + Discipline) — pass all 4 within 18-month window.
- State-specific CPA licensure — work experience + ethics exam required for licensure.
- Big 4 CPA support — exam fee reimbursement, study time, CPA bonus ($5,000–$10,000).
- EA (Enrolled Agent) — IRS credential. Alternative path for tax-only roles.
- CMA (Certified Management Accountant) — IMA credential. Industry / corporate accounting track.
- CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) — forensic accounting credential.
- CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) — internal audit credential.
- CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) — IT audit niche.
- MST / MAcc graduate degree — many candidates complete to satisfy 150-hour rule.
Setting Selection: Big 4 / National / Regional / Industry / Government
- Big 4 (top base + premier exits + structured advancement) — Deloitte, EY, PwC, KPMG. Premium training. 2–4 year exit to industry.
- National firm (RSM, BDO, Grant Thornton, Crowe, Baker Tilly) — strong second tier.
- FAANG / Big Tech corporate accounting — premium new-grad accounting path.
- Fintech / Wall Street corporate accounting — JPM, Goldman, Citi, BAML.
- Fortune 500 industry direct — corporate accounting / financial reporting / SEC reporting.
- Regional public accounting — local market focus.
- Government (IRS, GAO, Treasury, DCAA, federal agencies) — pension + PSLF.
- Nonprofit / NPO — PSLF eligible.
- Small / local CPA firm — broader exposure, lower comp.
- Forensic / fraud / investigation — premium specialty.
Year-by-Year Progression to Accountant National Median
- Year 0–1 (P10 baseline, staff) — $60,308 national average.
- Year 1–2 (staff 1 → staff 2) — 8–15% raise. CPA bonus ($5,000–$10,000) at Big 4.
- Year 2–3 (senior promotion) — 15–25% raise. CPA license complete.
- Year 3–5 (senior → manager OR Big 4 exit to industry) — 30–50% jump at promotion OR 25–40% jump on industry exit.
- Year 5+ (manager / senior manager OR industry senior / manager) — typically reaches national median by year 5–6.
- Year 10+ (partner track OR CFO / Controller path) — partner at Big 4 = $500,000–$1M+ total; CFO at mid-market = $250,000–$500,000.
2026 New Accountant Salary Outlook
Entry-level accountant pay has grown at a compound annual rate of 2.61% nationally over the past five years — driven by accountant shortage (declining CPA pipeline, AICPA candidate decline), Big 4 starting pay competitive ratcheting, SEC reporting / SOX / IPO / SPAC complexity, automation requiring upskilled accountants, and structural firm staffing pressure. The BLS projects accountant and auditor employment growth at 6% through 2033 with stronger growth at top tier.
Entry-Level to Mid-Career: Accountant Salary Growth
Accountant salaries follow a predictable growth curve. Here's how pay typically progresses from entry-level to experienced:
How to Maximize Your Starting Accountant Salary
New grad accountants who strategically target Big 4 / FAANG corporate, complete 150 hours + CPA exam, and time recruiting consistently land starting compensation 25–50% above the national average. Here's how to maximize your first accountant total comp:
1. Target Big 4 / FAANG / Fintech Tier
- Big 4 (top public accounting) — Deloitte, EY, PwC, KPMG. Top metros $75,000–$90,000.
- National firm (RSM, BDO, Grant Thornton, Crowe) — solid second tier.
- FAANG / Big Tech corporate accounting — Meta, Google, Amazon. $85,000–$110,000 + stock.
- Fintech / Wall Street corporate — JPM, Goldman, Citi, BAML.
- Top metros — NYC, SF, Boston, DC, Chicago, LA. Big 4 highest scale.
- Highest-paying new accountant metro — Sunnyvale, CA at $84,037.
2. Complete 150 Hours + Pass CPA Exam Early
- 150-credit hour rule — required for CPA licensure in most states.
- MAcc / MST graduate program — most candidates complete to satisfy 150 hours.
- CPA Exam early — pass FAR + AUD before starting Big 4. CPA bonus + faster senior promotion.
- State CPA licensure — work experience + ethics exam.
- Becker / Wiley / Roger CPA Review — most pass at first attempt with structured prep.
- CPA Evolution (2024) - Core + Discipline structure — choose discipline (BAR, ISC, TCP).
- Big 4 CPA reimbursement — exam fees + study time + CPA bonus ($5,000–$10,000).
3. Choose Audit / Tax / Advisory Practice
- Audit / Assurance (most common entry) — financial statement audit, ICFR/SOX, IPO. Strong exit to industry corporate accounting / financial reporting.
- Tax (federal, state, international, partnership, transaction) — strong specialization premium. Tax season busy + spring/fall plateaus.
- Advisory / Consulting (risk, transaction, valuation, M&A, deal advisory) — premium track within Big 4. Premier exits to PE / IB / VC.
- Forensic / fraud investigation — premium specialty. CFE + JD often pursued.
- IT audit (CISA path) — premium niche. Strong CIO / CISO exit.
- FSO / Financial Services Office (banking / asset management / insurance focus) — premium NYC track.
- Government services (PCAOB, GAO, SEC, federal contractor audit) — pension + PSLF.
4. Negotiate Base + Signing + CPA Bonus
- Big 4 offer structure — base + signing ($5,000–$10,000) + busy-season OT + CPA bonus.
- Big4Transparency / Reddit benchmarks — exact published levels.
- Competing offers — leverage during fall recruiting (Big 4 fall).
- Signing bonus — $5,000–$15,000 typical.
- CPA bonus — $5,000–$10,000 on passing within 12–18 months of hire.
- Busy season overtime / comp time — varies by firm.
- Sticky relocation / commuter assistance — NYC / SF Big 4 offices often offer.
- Performance bonus (5–15% target) — verify historical payout.
5. Plan Big 4 → Industry / Partner / CFO Path
- Big 4 → industry exit (year 3–5) — 25–40% comp jump typical. Strongest path for most.
- Partner track (8–12 years at Big 4) — partner = $500,000–$1M+ total comp.
- Industry: Controller → CFO path (10–15 years) — CFO at mid-market = $250,000–$500,000.
- Public company SEC reporting / Director of Financial Reporting — premium track.
- FP&A / Strategic Finance pivot — premium pivot from audit. FAANG FP&A premium.
- PE / VC / IB / corp dev pivot (post-Big 4 advisory) — premier exits to PE firms.
- Independent CPA practice (post 5–7 years) — $150–$400/hour for tax / advisory.
- Tax specialty path (Master of Taxation, JD/LLM Tax) — premium specialty.
More Salary Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sofia Patel, CPA
Career Analyst
Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. We applied a 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS trends, to estimate current 2026 compensation.