is the salary of an accountant in California? //
California has high salaries for accountants. The Golden State, though one of the costliest states in the nation, ranked fourth for accountant and auditor salaries as of May 20, 2022. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this equates to a mean annual salary of $96,210. The national average annual wage for accountants is $86,740. This difference is nearly $10,000.
Californian accountants also have a bright future. The U.S. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), projects that employment for California accountants will grow by 12.9% between 2020-2030. This is nearly double the rate of all accountants during this period.
Accounting professionals may want to pursue lucrative positions in California’s major cities, or in specialized industries such as film and TV or technology. Payscale data shows that, for example, accountants working in the tech hubs San Francisco, San Jose, and HTML2_ Los Angeles HTML2_, earn an average base salary of $74,065 each.
This guide provides salary data for certified public accountants and accountants in California. It focuses on the earnings of different career levels within three major cities.
Accountants and auditors in California
Salary Average, 2022 $96.210
Source: BLS
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Salary by experience
Entry-level accountants usually earn less than professionals with more experience. According Payscale an entry-level accounting in Los Angeles earned an average annual salary $49,750 by July 2023. An accountant with over 20 years experience earned an average $67,780.
California accountant salaries also increase due to bonuses and other benefits provided by employers. Tables below show the average salaries of accountants in Los Angeles and San Diego at different levels of experience. This data includes some figures that are based on fewer than fifty respondents.
| Years of Experience | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level ( | $49,750 |
| Early Career (1 to 4 years) | $64,280 |
| Midcareer (5-9 Years) | $65,800 |
| Experienced (10-19 Years) | $61,120 |
| Later Career (20+ Years) | $67,780 |
Source: Payscale
| Years of Experience | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level ( | $52,980 |
| Early Career (1 to 4 years) | $59,580 |
| Mid-career (5-9 Years) | $62,800 |
| Experienced (10-19 Years) | $67,730 |
| Later Career (20+ Years) | $66,150 |
Source: Payscale
| Years of Experience | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level ( | $50,000 |
| Early Career (1 to 4 years) | $61,550 |
| Midcareer (5-9 Years) | $59,810 |
| Experienced (10-19 Years) | $65,000 |
| Later Career (20+ Years) | $65,000 |
Source: Payscale
CPA vs. Accountant salary in California
Some accountants seek additional certifications in order to advance their career. CPAs are able to demonstrate that they have specific skills that employers want. CPA licenses can help accountants to be more competitive in the job market, increase their salary, and enhance their job security.
CPAs in Los Angeles, San Diego and Sacramento earn higher salaries on average than accountants. San Diego has a particularly large difference, with an average salary of $85,000 for CPAs and $62,156 for accountants.
Note that CPAs may be included in the Payscale salary figures for July 2023. These figures also include data from less than 50 respondents.
Most states require that a candidate pass the Uniform CPA Examination and complete 150 college credit hours. CPAs often pursue graduate courses to fulfill the education requirements beyond bachelor’s degrees with 120 credits.
California requires that each CPA candidate has one year of CPA supervised work experience, and pass a Professional Ethics Examination.
| Education Level | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Accountant | $63,750 |
| Certified Public Accountant | $77,050 |
| Education Level | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Accountant | $62,370 |
| Certified Public Accountant | $89,240 |
| Education Level | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Accountant | $63,950 |
| Certified Public Accountant | $82,460 |
Cost of Living in California
The cost of living is a comparison of the price of essentials in a particular geographic area to the national average. California becomes the third most expensive state of the United States when adjusted for this figure. California’s high cost of living is mostly due to higher gas and housing prices.
The California living wage is $110,255. You may need to earn additional income if you make an average accountant salary.
Cost of living in California varies greatly between cities and rural areas. Los Angeles and San Francisco have higher cost of living figures than other cities. Salary.com, for example, reports that San Diego’s cost of living is 28,1% higher in Sacramento.
California Job Availability
According to the DOL, employment of accountants and auditors will grow in California by 12.9% between 2020-2030. This profession’s job growth in California is greater than national average. The number of accounting and auditoring roles increases at a 6.9% rate.
Californian accountants who have the best chance of success are well-prepared for their jobs. Most employers prefer accountants who have a four-year degree and several years’ experience. CPAs can also earn a higher salary than accountants who do not have this certification.
| Job Availability | California |
|---|---|
| 2020 Employment | 160,600 |
| Openings per Year | 16,960 |
| The Employment Projections for 2030 | 181,300 |
| Employment Growth Projected for 2020-30 | 20,700 (+12.9%) |
Source: Projections Central
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