Accountant Salary 2026 — Take-Home Pay by State
Accountants prepare financial records, ensure tax compliance, and advise businesses and individuals on financial decisions. CPAs command premium salaries and work in public accounting, corporate finance, and government.
National Median
$78,000
Best State (Net)
$72,588
New York
Take-Home TX
$63,703
No state tax
Job Growth
4%
Key Facts — Accountant 2026
National median: ~$78,000/year; CPAs earn 10–15% above non-CPAs
CPA shortage driving salaries up — Big 4 starting salaries rose 20% since 2022
Forensic accountants and controllers earn 25–35% above median
Most accountants work year-round, not just during tax season
Remote work is now common — geography matters less for salary than it once did
Salary by Experience Level
Entry Level (0–2 yrs)
$55,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$46,373
Staff accountant, Big 4 starts ~$65K
Mid Level (3–6 yrs)
$78,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$63,703
Senior accountant, CPA preferred
Manager (7–12 yrs)
$105,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$82,698
Team lead, client management
Director / Partner
$155,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$117,209
Equity partner or CFO track
Specialties & Salary Premiums
| Specialty | Est. Salary | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Big 4 / Public Accounting | $93,600 | +20% |
| Tax / CPA | $89,700 | +15% |
| Forensic Accounting | $97,500 | +25% |
| Financial Controller | $105,300 | +35% |
| Government / Nonprofit | $66,300 | -15% |
| Bookkeeping | $50,700 | -35% |
Best States for Accountants — Real Take-Home Pay
Ranked by estimated take-home pay (single filer, no additional deductions). The highest gross salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.
▲Top 5 — Highest Take-Home
Accountant Salary by State — All 50 States
Take-home estimates for a single filer with no additional deductions. Click any state for the full breakdown.
| State | Gross Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $98,000 | $72,588 | |
| $88,000 | $70,738 | |
| $95,000 | $69,838 | |
| $92,000 | $69,495 | |
| $90,000 | $67,865 | |
| $88,000 | $66,439 | |
| $88,000 | $65,089 | |
| $85,000 | $64,553 | |
| $78,000 | $63,703 | |
10Colorado | $80,000 | $62,298 |
| $75,000 | $61,593 | |
12Illinois | $80,000 | $61,295 |
13Arizona | $75,000 | $60,120 |
| $78,000 | $59,922 | |
15Delaware | $78,000 | $59,896 |
| $72,000 | $59,482 | |
| $72,000 | $59,482 | |
| $72,000 | $59,482 | |
| $75,000 | $59,290 | |
20Georgia | $75,000 | $58,599 |
21Oregon | $78,000 | $58,180 |
| $72,000 | $57,118 | |
| $68,000 | $56,668 | |
| $72,000 | $56,607 | |
25Michigan | $70,000 | $55,351 |
26Utah | $70,000 | $55,253 |
27Ohio | $68,000 | $55,240 |
28Missouri | $68,000 | $54,453 |
| $68,000 | $54,103 | |
30Hawaii | $70,000 | $53,848 |
| $65,000 | $52,833 | |
32Indiana | $65,000 | $52,520 |
| $65,000 | $52,413 | |
34Vermont | $65,000 | $52,228 |
35Nebraska | $65,000 | $52,154 |
36Idaho | $65,000 | $52,071 |
| $62,000 | $51,997 | |
38Maine | $65,000 | $51,313 |
| $60,000 | $50,390 | |
| $60,000 | $50,390 | |
41Iowa | $62,000 | $50,253 |
| $62,000 | $50,249 | |
43Kentucky | $62,000 | $49,945 |
44Montana | $62,000 | $49,840 |
45Oklahoma | $62,000 | $49,753 |
46Alabama | $62,000 | $49,400 |
47Kansas | $62,000 | $49,337 |
48Arkansas | $60,000 | $48,629 |
| $58,000 | $47,001 | |
| $58,000 | $46,555 |
Maximize Your Take-Home
401(k) — $24,500 max
Reduces taxable income dollar-for-dollar
HSA — $4,400 single
Triple tax advantage — deductible, grows tax-free, tax-free withdrawals
FSA — $3,300 max
Medical expenses with pre-tax dollars
State consideration
Moving to TX, FL, WA can save $5,000–$15,000/year in taxes
Calculate Your Exact Take-Home as a Accountant
Add 401(k), HSA, dependents, and more to see your personalized take-home in your state.
Open Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about your taxes and our calculator.
Accountant Salary by State — Detailed Pages
Alabama
$49,400
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$59,482
net
Arizona
$60,120
net
Arkansas
$48,629
net
California
$69,838
net
Colorado
$62,298
net
Connecticut
$64,553
net
Delaware
$59,896
net
FloridaNo state tax
$59,482
net
Georgia
$58,599
net
Hawaii
$53,848
net
Idaho
$52,071
net
Illinois
$61,295
net
Indiana
$52,520
net
Iowa
$50,253
net
Kansas
$49,337
net
Kentucky
$49,945
net
Louisiana
$52,833
net
Maine
$51,313
net
Maryland
$65,089
net
Massachusetts
$67,865
net
Michigan
$55,351
net
Minnesota
$59,922
net
Mississippi
$46,555
net
Missouri
$54,453
net
Montana
$49,840
net
Nebraska
$52,154
net
NevadaNo state tax
$59,482
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$61,593
net
New Jersey
$69,495
net
New Mexico
$50,249
net
New York
$72,588
net
North Carolina
$57,118
net
North Dakota
$50,390
net
Ohio
$55,240
net
Oklahoma
$49,753
net
Oregon
$58,180
net
Pennsylvania
$59,290
net
Rhode Island
$56,607
net
South Carolina
$52,413
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$50,390
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$56,668
net
TexasNo state tax
$63,703
net
Utah
$55,253
net
Vermont
$52,228
net
Virginia
$66,439
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$70,738
net
West Virginia
$47,001
net
Wisconsin
$54,103
net
WyomingNo state tax
$51,997
net