Accountant Salary in San Francisco, CA: $113,620 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in San Francisco, CA earns a median $113,620/year (≈ $54.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $98,276 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 31.9% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, San Francisco's accountant salary sits at a median of $113,620. This figure represents a significant premium for professionals holding CPA licenses, unlocking higher earning potential as they move from entry to senior positions. The salary range for accountants varies considerably, from $75,336 at the lower end (P10) to $184,760 at the top (P90), showcasing the diverse opportunities within the field. The figures presented are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, underscoring the competitive nature of the accounting landscape in San Francisco. Given the high demand for financial expertise, particularly among public accounting firms like the Big 4, professionals in this area have a strong footing to negotiate salaries that exceed the national median of $85,864 by more than 32%.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,336 | $36.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,138 | $43.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $113,620 | $54.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $147,338 | $70.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,760 | $88.83 |
Median Salary Position
32.33% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,424 (2026 est.). At $113,620, the local median is 32.33% above the national median of $85,864.
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At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Francisco Accountant Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $113,620/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,141 | +31.90% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | +32.33% more |
Accountants in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $113,620 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.33% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 31.90% above the California state average of $86,141.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $113,620 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,276 — a 13.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,680
2025 BLS Actual
$110,730
2026 Current Est.
$113,620
2019–2027 Growth
+37.7%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $113,620 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $116,586 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 30.8% from $84,680 (2019) to $110,730 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $116,586 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,906 (37.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $75,336 – $91,138 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,138 – $113,620 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $113,620 – $147,338 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $147,338 – $184,760 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in San Francisco
The job market for accountants in San Francisco is robust, employing around 25,170 professionals within the city. However, the cost of living is notably higher, with a cost of living index of 115.613, which impacts take-home purchasing power significantly. Among the top-paying employers, the Big 4 firms generally offer the highest compensation, followed closely by mid-tier CPA firms and corporate accounting departments. Pay disparities can often be traced back to factors such as the CPA license, which opens the door to senior roles, and the differentiation of public firm tiers. Specialty areas like taxation and valuation can also command premiums, alongside the allure of equity positions in public firms. For accountants seeking to maximize pay, focusing on obtaining CPA licensure and considering paths within high-demand specialties can prove advantageous, especially given the 2.61% growth rate projected in this sector over the next five years.
More salary data for San Francisco, 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 $110,730 for accountantsin the San Francisco 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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