What Is an Accountant’s Salary in California?

How much do accountants make in California? Though one of the most expensive states in the country, the Golden State ranked fourth in accountant and auditor pay as of May 2022, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reporting an annual mean salary of $96,210. The national annual mean wage for accountants was $86,740, indicating a difference of nearly $10,000.

The outlook appears bright for California accountants, as well. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) projects employment for California accountants to grow by 12.9% from 2020-2030, nearly doubling the rate for all accountants in this period.

Accountants may be interested in pursuing lucrative roles in California’s major cities or specialized industries like film and television or technology. For instance, Payscale data from July 2023 demonstrates that accountants in the tech hubs of San Francisco and San Jose earn average base salaries of $74,065 and $69,190, respectively.

This guide discusses salary statistics for accountants and certified public accountants (CPAs) in California, focusing on earnings at different career levels across three major cities.

Entry-level accountants typically earn less than experienced professionals. According to Payscale, an entry-level accountant in Los Angeles earns an average annual salary of $49,750 as of July 2023, while an accountant with more than 20 years of experience earns an average of $67,780.

Accountant salaries in California also increase based on bonuses and additional benefits from employers. The following tables explore the average annual salaries for accountants at five experience levels in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sacramento. Some of this data represents figures with fewer than 50 respondents.

Source: Payscale

Source: Payscale

Source: Payscale

Some accountants pursue additional certifications to advance their careers. Becoming a CPA demonstrates that these professionals possess specific skills that employers desire. With CPA licenses, accountants can become more competitive when applying for roles, earn higher pay, and improve their job security.

In Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sacramento, CPAs earn higher average annual salaries than accountants in these cities. The difference in San Diego is particularly high, with the average salary for all accountants at $62,156 and CPAs at $85,000.

When reading the following tables, note that the accountant salary reporting figures from Payscale in July 2023 may also include CPAs. Some of these figures represent data with fewer than 50 respondents, as well.

To become a CPA, most states require a candidate to complete 150 college credits and pass the Uniform CPA Examination. Aspiring CPAs commonly pursue graduate coursework to meet the education requirement beyond 120-credit bachelor’s degree programs.

California also requires each prospective CPA to have one year of CPA-supervised work experience and complete a Professional Ethics Exam.

Source: Payscale; Payscale

Source: Payscale; Payscale

Source: Payscale; Payscale

Cost of living compares the average price of basic necessities in a given geographic location to the national average. Adjusted for this figure, California is the third-most expensive state in the United States. The state’s higher cost of living is primarily driven by housing and gas prices.

A living wage for a family of four in California is $110,255. If you earn an average annual accountant salary, another member of your household may also need to bring in additional income.

However, cost of living varies considerably across California cities and rural areas. Major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco carry higher cost-of-living figures than other municipalities. For instance, Salary.com reports that the cost of living in San Diego is 28.1% higher than in Sacramento.

The DOL projects employment for accountants and auditors in California to grow by 12.9% from 2020-2030. The job growth for this profession in California is higher than the national average, which sees the number of accounting and auditing roles increase at a rate of 6.9%.

Accountants who are most likely to be successful in California have considerable job preparation. For instance, most employers prefer accountants with four-year degrees and several years of work experience. CPAs may also earn higher salaries than accountants without this certification.

Source: Projections Central