CPA Salary & Benefits
The average salary for a CPA is much higher than the average accountant salary or other similar career choices. Find out all you need to know about CPA salaries here!
The CPA license provides many advantages in the accounting profession. One of the most desirable advantages is increased salary, even at a starting salary. To determine just how much a CPA license can impact your career, we’ve compiled this at-a-glance guide to show the contributing factors of salary differences.
How Much Do Accountants Make?
| Average Accountant Salary | Average CPA Salary |
|---|---|
| $50,129* per year (excluding bonuses) | $119,000* per year (excluding bonuses) |
| Average CPA Salary by Percentile |
|---|
Factors That Determine CPA Salary
Years' Experience
Company Size
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, states that employment of accountants and auditors is expected to increase by 10 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is faster than the average for all other occupations. BLS attributes the positive employment outlook to the continued demand for qualified professionals who are able to prepare and examine financial records during economic growth.
CPA Salary Outlook
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Job Demand - It’s a Good Day to be a CPA
Robert Half’s 2018 Accounting & Finance Salary Guide also points to a high demand for “top talent in public accounting.” Their statement is based on data pointing to a sever shortage of skilled candidates. Because of the high demand, accounting firms are scrambling to obtain top talent. According to Robert Half, “Public accounting firms are pursuing recent college graduates with accounting degrees, and frequently offering higher pay than their competitors, as well as bonuses, perks and additional vacation time. To attract and retain in-demand accountants, many firms are prioritizing work-life balance policies, such as compressed workweeks, telecommuting and flexible work schedules.”
Public Accountant Salaries
Below is a chart of average public accounting salaries based on percentile and title/experience. See how having your CPA license gives you a major increase in salary right off the bat.
| Title / Experience | Percentile | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25th | 50th | 75% | 95% | |
| Tax Services | ||||
| Senior Manager / Director | $110,250 | $132,000 | $158,750 | $210,000 |
| Manager | $85,000 | $102,000 | $122,500 | $162,250 |
| Senior | $58,500 | $70,000 | $84,250 | $111,500 |
| 1 to 3 Years | $47,000 | $56,500 | $68,000 | $90,000 |
| Up to 1 Year | $38,500 | $46,000 | $55,250 | $73,250 |
| Audit/Assurance Services | ||||
| Senior Manager / Director | $108,250 | $129,750 | $156,000 | $206,500 |
| Manager | $73,750 | $88,500 | $106,500 | $140,750 |
| Senior | $52,500 | $63,000 | $75,750 | $100,250 |
| 1 to 3 Years | $42,500 | $51,000 | $61,250 | $81,250 |
| Up to 1 Year | $38,500 | $46,000 | $55,250 | $73,250 |
Big 4 Accounting Firm Salaries
Deloitte
PwC
Average Salary: $74,000
EY
Average Salary: $76,000
KPMG
Average Salary: $70,000
Top 10 Cities for Accountants
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CPA Salaries Q&A FAQ
The average salary of an accountant is just over $50k. There is a substantial difference in salary if one moves from being an accountant to a CPA, which has an average salary of $119k.
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