What Is an Accountant’s Salary in California?

Accountants in California earned an average salary of $100,560 in 2023, the fourth highest in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Nationwide, accountants earned an average salary of $81,680. Accountants in California earned an average wage 23% higher than the U.S. average.

Discover salaries for certified public accountants (CPAs) and accountants throughout various California cities. Learn how experience, location, and CPA licensure can impact earnings.

Experienced accountants spend years learning accounting rules and regulations. Corporations understand the benefits of experienced accountants and typically offer these professionals higher salaries. Top-performing accountants may receive additional benefits or advancement opportunities.

Accountant salaries in California differ significantly between entry-level and early career accountants. Entry-level accountants typically earn less than experienced professionals. For example, entry-level accountants in Los Angeles earn an average annual salary of nearly $60,000, while late-career professionals earn an average of about $74,000, according to Payscale data from July 2025.

The following tables explore the average annual salaries for accountants at different experience levels in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sacramento. Note that some of this data includes figures with fewer than 50 respondents.

Accounting professionals can pursue advanced careers through obtaining additional experience, education, or licenses. Employers may offer higher salaries to professionals who can complete specialized tasks or have advanced accounting knowledge.

CPAs in California demonstrate accounting expertise by completing the Uniform CPA Examination and the state’s education and experience requirements. Because of their in-demand credential, CPAs can pursue higher-paying careers. For example, CPAs earned a 37% higher annual salary than accountants, on average, in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego.

Although CPAs earn a higher average salary compared to accountants, they must spend additional time studying and earning relevant experience. Prospective CPAs should consider potential salary increases against the time required to pass the CPA exam.

Accountants should consider their salary and cost of living, including housing, transportation, and utilities, when creating a budget. Each state has a different cost of living, due to local salaries, demand, taxes, and more. According to the World Population Review, California has a cost-of-living score of 141.6. This score means that California is 41.6% more expensive than the U.S. average.

Cities within California also have vastly different cost-of-living scores. According to Salary.com, Bakersfield, California, has a cost-of-living score of 98.6, while San Francisco has a score of 189.1. Accountants who live in a more expensive area may receive a higher salary to compensate for higher expenses.

The BLS projects that accountant jobs will grow by 6% between 2023 and 2033. However, accountant jobs in California are anticipated to grow 8.2% between 2022-2032, according to Projections Central. California’s job growth rate for accountants might be higher than the U.S. average for economic and policy-related reasons.

California has a diverse economy, including technology, entertainment, and agricultural industries. Each industry has specialized accounting rules that require accounting services.

California’s complicated regulatory landscape also provides additional opportunities to professional service industries, including accounting. Accountants can increase their appeal within California by obtaining a CPA, gaining experience, or networking at local events.