Accountant Salary in California
Based on 175K+ workers in California
Median Annual Salary (CA)
$97,050
$46.66/hr
vs National Average
$82,597
+17.5% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$62K – $161K
175K employed in California
Accountants working in California earn a median salary of $113,781 per year, based on data from 96 workers in the state. While this represents a solid income for the profession, it falls approximately 7% below the national average for accountants. Salaries in the field typically range up to $126,968 annually for experienced professionals.
Several factors influence accountant salary in California, including years of experience, specific industry, company size, and certifications like CPA status. Geographic location within California also plays a role, as salaries tend to be higher in major metropolitan areas like San Francisco and Los Angeles. Educational background and specialized expertise in areas such as tax or audit can further impact earning potential.
Salary Distribution — Accountant in California
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $61,770 |
| 25th percentile | $75,810 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $97,050 |
| 75th percentile | $125,850 |
| 90th percentile | $160,520 |
Top H-1B Employers for Accountant in California
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in California — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | 239 | $118,643 |
| 2 | Deloitte Tax LLP | 33 | $112,400 |
| 3 | Deloitte & Touche LLP | 16 | $119,717 |
| 4 | Standish Management US, LLC | 14 | $85,000 |
| 5 | Macias Gini & O'Connell LLP | 11 | $82,763 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Accountant H-1B Salary by Wage Level in California
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in California.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $78,000 | 130 |
| Level II | Qualified | $105,715 | 264 |
| Level III | Experienced | $137,459 | 121 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $159,000 | 129 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Accountant (U.S.)
Which industries pay Accountants the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Accountants in California tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $106,050 | 8K |
| Information | $99,430 | 35K |
| Utilities | $98,130 | 8K |
| Finance and Insurance | $93,290 | 119K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $91,940 | 105K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Accountant in California vs National
| Year | Median Salary (California) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $83,640 |
| 2023 | $92,160 |
| 2024 | $96,360 |
| 2025 | $97,050 |
| 2026 (projected) | $97,745 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | California Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $83,640 | $73,060 |
| 2023 | $92,160 | $76,751 |
| 2024 | $96,360 | $79,712 |
| 2025 | $97,050 | $82,597 |
| 2026 (projected) | $97,745 | $83,188 |
Accountant Salary by Experience Level in California
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $75,810 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $97,050 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $125,850 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $160,520 |
Accountant Salary in Other States
Related Accountant Salaries in California
How other high-demand occupations in California compare to Accountant ($97,050 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Accountant | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Manager in CA | $180,770 | +86.3% | $86.91/hr |
| Actuary in CA | $130,510 | +34.5% | $62.75/hr |
| Personal Financial Advisor in CA | $130,330 | +34.3% | $62.66/hr |
| Economist in CA | $119,410 | +23.0% | $57.41/hr |
| Financial Analyst in CA | $109,110 | +12.4% | $52.46/hr |
| Financial Examiner in CA | $106,000 | +9.2% | $50.96/hr |
| Budget Analyst in CA | $99,520 | +2.5% | $47.85/hr |
| Credit Analyst in CA | $97,860 | +0.8% | $47.05/hr |
| Compliance Officer in CA | $96,980 | -0.1% | $46.63/hr |
| Loan Officer in CA | $81,770 | -15.7% | $39.31/hr |
| Tax Examiner in CA | $80,810 | -16.7% | $38.85/hr |
| Securities Sales Agent in CA | $79,730 | -17.8% | $38.33/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in California?
- The median salary for accountants in California is $113,781 per year, or approximately $55 per hour. This is about 7.2% lower than the national average for accountants.
What is the salary range for accountants in California?
- Accountant salaries in California reach up to $126,968 at the high end. The salary range data shows there are opportunities for higher-earning positions within the state.
Is California's accountant salary above or below the national average?
- California's accountant salary is 7.2% below the national average, with a median of $113,781 per year compared to higher rates in other states.
How many accountants are employed in California?
- There are approximately 96 accountants employed in California according to current employment data, indicating the size of the profession in the state.