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is the salary of an accountant in Ohio? //

Ohio is the home of accounting associations, schools and consultancy services. All four of the Big Four accounting companies — Deloitte PwC EY and KPMG – have offices in Ohio.

The U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), reports that accountants and auditors from Ohio will earn an average annual salary of $77.760 in 2022, lower than the national average salary of $86,740 for this profession. Ohio’s lower cost-of-living may allow these salaries to have a higher purchasing power.

Earning a degree or professional certifications, such as becoming a Certified Public Accountant can increase the salary of an Ohio accountant. This guide will help you find out how much an Ohio accountant can earn.

Accountants and auditors in Ohio

Salary Average for 2022 $77.760

Source: BLS

Accounting Programs Online Featured

Contact the universities listed below to learn more about start dates, credit transfers, financial aid and other information.


Salary based on Experience

A more experienced accountant will earn a higher wage than someone who is new to the profession. This rise in salary over time is due to the specialized knowledge and skills of more experienced accountants, such as Auditing Financial Analysis Tax Accounting and Forensic Accounting.

A professional with experience is more likely to be offered a higher-paying management or leadership role in an accounting or finance firm. Employers often reward excellent performance with bonuses, raises in pay, and other financial benefits. Accounting professionals can boost their incomes by earning professional certifications, obtaining a master’s or winning industry-recognized awards.

Below are tables that show salary progression based on experience for several major Ohio cities. Although occasional dips appear in average compensation as experience increases, this is usually due to inadequate datasets.

Cleveland, Ohio: Accountant Salary by Experience, June 2023
Years of Experience Average Annual Salary
Entry-Level (

$52,610
Early Career (1 to 4 years) $53,520
Mid-career (5-9 Years) $52,800
Experienced (10-19 Years) $54,630
Later Career (20+ Years) $62,990

Source: Payscale

Salary of Accountant by Experience in Columbus Ohio, June 2023
Years of Experience Average Annual Salary
Entry-Level (

$46,650
Early Career (1 to 4 years) $50,770
Mid-career (5-9 Years) $54,100
Experienced (10-19 Years) $62,000
Later Career (20+ Years) $70,000

Source: Payscale

Salary of Accountant in Cincinnati, Ohio based on Experience, June 2023
Years of Experience Average Annual Salary
Entry-Level (

$44,490
Early Career (1 to 4 years) $50,790
Midcareer (5-9 Years) $59,020
Experienced (10-19 Years) $52,420
Later Career (20+ Years) $70,000

Source: Payscale


CPA vs. Accountant salary in Ohio

A Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting is a great foundation for a finance career. You may also need to earn CPA licensing in order to advance your career as an accountant.

Both professions require basic skills in accounting but accountants are not able to perform the same duties. CPAs are accountants who have earned the professional designation needed to practice a variety of accounting. The chart below shows how a CPA’s license can increase the average salary of accountants in Ohio.

Salary of Accountant in Cleveland, Ohio 2023, based on Education
Profession Average Annual Salary
Accountant $54,510
Certified Public Accountant $69,920

Source: Payscale, Payscale

Salary of Accountant in Columbus, Ohio 2023, based on Education
Profession Average Annual Salary
Accountant $53,830
Certified Public Accountant $70,030

Source: Payscale, Payscale

Accountant Salary by Education in Cincinnati Ohio, June 2023
Profession Average Annual Salary
Accountant $53,130
Certified Public Accountant $73,050

Source: Payscale, Payscale

CPAs in Ohio earn higher average salaries than general accountants. The road to becoming a CPA can be long. Accountants must earn 150 college credits — 30 more than the typical bachelor’s — and pass the Uniform CPA Examination to qualify for this designation.

Payscale data from June 2023 shows that workers with a bachelor’s in accounting earn an average of $77,000 per year. Workers with an MBA in accounting earn a href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Master_of_Business_Administration_(MBA)%2C_Accounting/Salary” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>an average of $80,000 per year. Payscale data shows that workers with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting have an average annual income of $77,000, while those with an MBA earn an average of $80,000.


Cost of Living in Ohio

The World Population Review index shows that Ohio has a lower cost of living than the average. The index compares the cost of living in each state to an average score of 100. World Population Review’s metrics place Ohio at 94. It is slightly more expensive than Kentucky, but cheaper than Minnesota. Cincinnati and Dayton are more expensive than areas with less population, such as Youngstown and Lima.

A low cost of living allows accountants to earn more money than in states with higher costs.


Ohio Job Availability

Ohio Accountants Job Growth in the Future
Job Availability New York
2020 Employment 50,540
Average annual openings 4,750
The Employment Projections for 2030 52,980
Employment Growth Projected for 2020-30 2,440

Source: Projections Central

Ohio’s growth rate for accountants and auditors is 4.8%, which is below the national average. This trend will continue from 2020 through 2030. This trend may be explained by several factors: according to a study conducted by the Greater Ohio Policy Center the state’s workforce shrank by 91,000 in the same period.

Accounting professionals in rural Ohio may not have the same opportunities as those in major metropolitan areas like Columbus.

The article What is the salary of an accountant in Ohio? first appeared on Accounting.com.

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