Median Salary for an Accountant
Accountants examine financial information and prepare financial reports. An accountant may work for an individual, several individual clients or may be on a company's payroll. An accountant's median salary depends on several factors, but whether she is a basic accountant, a tax accountant, a cost accountant or a certified public accountant is the most relevant factor.
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Accountant Salary
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As of 2011, the median annual salary for an accountant is between $35,490 and $51,345. Data shows that an accountant's salary rises as he gains more experience. The largest increase in salary occurs when he reaches five years of experience. Accountants work for many types of employers. Those who work for franchises and who are self-employed are on the lower end of the salary range. Those who work for the federal government earn a higher median salary. Accountants who work for franchises earn a median annual salary of between $32,466 and $49,895; those who are self-employed earn a median annual salary of between $31,748 and $50,114; and those who work for the federal government earn a median salary of between $41,456 and $59,676 per year, PayScale reports.
Cost Accountant Salary
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As of 2011, the median annual salary for a cost accountant is between $41,405 and $58,988. The cost accountant's salary rises as she gains more experience, with the largest salary increase occurring after her first year. If a cost accountant works for a nonprofit organization, she is on the lower end of the salary scale. The median annual salary for cost accountants who work for nonprofit organizations is between $37,734 and $49,910. Government cost accountants earn higher salaries. Those who work for the federal government earn a median annual salary of between $45,500 and $74,638 and those who work for the state and local government earn a median salary of between $44,777 and $74,000 each year, PayScale reports.
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Tax Accountant Salary
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As of 2011, the median annual salary for a tax accountant is between $42,117 and $57,682. As the tax accountant gains more experience, his salary rises. After the tax accountant reaches nine years of experience, data shows his salary begins to increase by only small increments. If the tax accountant works for the state or local government, his median salary is lower than if he works for the federal government. The median annual salary for tax accountants who work for the state and local government is between $37,169 and $56,498 and the median salary for those who work for the federal government is between $44,219 and $83,424 each year, PayScale reports.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Salary
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As of 2011, the median annual salary for a CPA is between $48,376 and $73,296. The CPA's salary increases as she gains more experience; the largest salary increase occurs when she reaches the five-year mark. CPAs who work for colleges and universities are on the lower end of the salary scale. The federal government is again, the highest paying employer for this occupation. If a CPA works for a college or university, she earns a median salary of between $38,874 and $60,242 each year and if she works for the federal government, she earns a median annual salary of between $50,537 and $97,663 each year, PayScale reports.
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References
- PayScale: Salary Snapshot for Accountant Jobs
- PayScale: Salary Snapshot for Cost Accountant Jobs
- PayScale: Salary Snapshot for Tax Accountant Jobs
- PayScale: Salary Snapshot for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Jobs
- United States Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition Accountants and Auditors
- Photo Credit Balancing the Accounts image by Julien BASTIDE from Fotolia.com
