Accountant Salary in San Bernardino, CA: $86,217 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in San Bernardino, CA earns a median $86,217/year (≈ $41.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in San Bernardino's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $76,231 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In San Bernardino, the projected 2026 median salary for accountants is $86,217, slightly surpassing the national figure of $85,864, reflecting a competitive job market influenced by the city's economic structure. Accountants here can expect a full salary range from $52,147 at the lower tenth percentile to $133,636 for the top earners. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, indicate a robust local demand for financial professionals. The salary dynamics in San Bernardino, particularly in the context of the Big 4 public accounting firms versus regional and corporate structures, suggest that while the Big 4 may offer higher starting salaries, local firms provide significant opportunities for growth and specialization, which shapes overall compensation potential.
About the San Bernardino Market
Salary estimated from California average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,147 | $25.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,637 | $33.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,217 | $41.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,358 | $53.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,636 | $64.24 |
Median Salary Position
0.41% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Bernardino
In San Bernardino, CA, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,489 (2026 est.). At $86,217, the local median is 0.41% above the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Bernardino: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Bernardino Accountant Pay Compares
San Bernardino median: $86,217/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Bernardino Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,131 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | +0.41% more |
Accountants in San Bernardino, CA earn a median of $86,217 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.41% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 0.10% above the California state average of $86,131.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Bernardino has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Bernardino, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,217 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,231 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,844
2025 BLS Actual
$84,024
2026 Current Est.
$86,217
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in San Bernardino (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,844 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,862 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,568 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,321 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,208 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,024 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,217 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,467 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Bernardino metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $71,844 (2019) to $84,024 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,467 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,623 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Bernardino 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) | $52,147 – $69,637 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,637 – $86,217 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,217 – $110,358 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,358 – $133,636 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in San Bernardino
Currently, there are 33 accountants employed in the San Bernardino area, revealing a modest yet stable job market that offers a variety of employment options. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, professionals must consider how this impacts their take-home pay when assessing overall compensation. Among the employers, Big 4 firms typically pay the highest, followed by regional CPA firms and corporate accounting departments, with significant opportunities in tax and forensic accounting potentially offering premium compensation. The factors contributing to the salary range include entry-level CPA licensing, which marks the transition from lower to higher pay, as well as the distinctions between firm types and specialties. To maximize salary potential in San Bernardino, gaining diverse experience, pursuing additional certifications, and considering roles that align with high-demand specializations can be beneficial.
More salary data for San Bernardino, 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 $84,024 for accountantsin the San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino 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