Accountant Salary in Fairfield, CA: $88,784 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Fairfield, CA earns a median $88,784/year (≈ $42.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Fairfield's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $78,500 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, accountants in Fairfield, California can expect a median annual salary of $88,784, reflecting a competitive landscape that surpasses national averages, which sit at $85,864. The salary spectrum ranges from $57,920 at the 10th percentile to $137,615 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the variance in earnings associated with experience and certifications. These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for local cost of living considerations. Licensure, particularly the CPA designation, significantly impacts salary trajectories in this market, allowing accountants to transition more effectively from entry-level positions to senior roles with considerable pay increases.
About the Fairfield Market
Salary estimated from California average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,920 | $27.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,551 | $33.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,784 | $42.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,644 | $54.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,615 | $66.16 |
Median Salary Position
3.40% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairfield
In Fairfield, CA, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,695 (2026 est.). At $88,784, the local median is 3.4% above the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairfield Accountant Pay Compares
Fairfield median: $88,784/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,115 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | +3.40% more |
Accountants in Fairfield, CA earn a median of $88,784 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.40% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 3.10% above the California state average of $86,115.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairfield has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fairfield, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $88,784 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $78,500 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,983
2025 BLS Actual
$86,526
2026 Current Est.
$88,784
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Fairfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,983 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,062 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,877 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,653 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,597 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,944 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,526 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,784 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,102 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairfield metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $73,983 (2019) to $86,526 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,102 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,119 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairfield metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.61% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $57,920 – $69,551 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,551 – $88,784 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,784 – $113,644 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,644 – $137,615 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Fairfield
The local job market for accountants in Fairfield is relatively modest, with approximately 25 accountants currently employed. Despite this limited number, the cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that higher salaries may be necessary to maintain purchasing power in this region. Larger firms such as the Big 4 (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) often lead in offering the highest salaries, but mid-tier firms and corporate accounting departments are also significant players. Factors influencing the wide salary range include the CPA license premium, the differences in pay between public firms and corporate roles, and specialty areas like tax or forensic accounting that command higher compensation. For those looking to maximize their accountant pay in Fairfield, obtaining a CPA license and gaining relevant experience at a reputable firm can lead to upward mobility, particularly during busy seasons when overtime and bonus opportunities abound.
More salary data for Fairfield, CA:
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.
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $86,526 for accountantsin the Fairfield metropolitan area. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fairfield is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov