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)
$71,846
New York
Take-Home TX
$63,461
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):
$46,241
Staff accountant, Big 4 starts ~$65K
Mid Level (3–6 yrs)
$78,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$63,461
Senior accountant, CPA preferred
Manager (7–12 yrs)
$105,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$82,456
Team lead, client management
Director / Partner
$155,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$116,945
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 | $71,846 | |
| $88,000 | $70,496 | |
| $92,000 | $68,405 | |
| $90,000 | $68,153 | |
| $95,000 | $67,981 | |
| $88,000 | $67,029 | |
| $88,000 | $66,299 | |
| $85,000 | $64,886 | |
| $78,000 | $63,461 | |
10Colorado | $80,000 | $62,008 |
11Illinois | $80,000 | $61,651 |
| $75,000 | $61,351 | |
13Delaware | $78,000 | $59,996 |
14Arizona | $75,000 | $59,851 |
| $75,000 | $59,509 | |
| $72,000 | $59,240 | |
| $72,000 | $59,240 | |
| $72,000 | $59,240 | |
19Georgia | $75,000 | $58,057 |
| $78,000 | $57,256 | |
21Oregon | $78,000 | $57,224 |
| $72,000 | $56,960 | |
| $72,000 | $56,533 | |
| $68,000 | $56,426 | |
25Michigan | $70,000 | $55,496 |
26Utah | $70,000 | $55,331 |
27Ohio | $68,000 | $54,571 |
28Missouri | $68,000 | $53,803 |
| $68,000 | $53,617 | |
30Hawaii | $70,000 | $52,883 |
31Indiana | $65,000 | $52,701 |
| $65,000 | $52,151 | |
| $62,000 | $51,865 | |
34Idaho | $65,000 | $51,376 |
35Nebraska | $65,000 | $51,356 |
| $65,000 | $51,076 | |
37Maine | $65,000 | $50,701 |
38Vermont | $65,000 | $50,476 |
| $60,000 | $50,258 | |
40Alabama | $62,000 | $49,985 |
| $62,000 | $49,938 | |
42Kentucky | $62,000 | $49,750 |
43Oklahoma | $62,000 | $49,633 |
44Kansas | $62,000 | $49,515 |
45Iowa | $62,000 | $49,186 |
| $60,000 | $49,133 | |
47Montana | $62,000 | $49,092 |
48Arkansas | $60,000 | $48,278 |
| $58,000 | $46,931 | |
| $58,000 | $46,716 |
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
$49,985
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$59,240
net
Arizona
$59,851
net
Arkansas
$48,278
net
California
$67,981
net
Colorado
$62,008
net
Connecticut
$64,886
net
Delaware
$59,996
net
FloridaNo state tax
$59,240
net
Georgia
$58,057
net
Hawaii
$52,883
net
Idaho
$51,376
net
Illinois
$61,651
net
Indiana
$52,701
net
Iowa
$49,186
net
Kansas
$49,515
net
Kentucky
$49,750
net
Louisiana
$52,151
net
Maine
$50,701
net
Maryland
$67,029
net
Massachusetts
$68,153
net
Michigan
$55,496
net
Minnesota
$57,256
net
Mississippi
$46,931
net
Missouri
$53,803
net
Montana
$49,092
net
Nebraska
$51,356
net
NevadaNo state tax
$59,240
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$61,351
net
New Jersey
$68,405
net
New Mexico
$49,938
net
New York
$71,846
net
North Carolina
$56,533
net
North Dakota
$49,133
net
Ohio
$54,571
net
Oklahoma
$49,633
net
Oregon
$57,224
net
Pennsylvania
$59,509
net
Rhode Island
$56,960
net
South Carolina
$51,076
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$50,258
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$56,426
net
TexasNo state tax
$63,461
net
Utah
$55,331
net
Vermont
$50,476
net
Virginia
$66,299
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$70,496
net
West Virginia
$46,716
net
Wisconsin
$53,617
net
WyomingNo state tax
$51,865
net