CPA salary guide for 2025

Taking the CPA Exam to become a Certified Public Accountant requires a significant investment of your time and resources, so it’s natural to want to know the average CPA salary. While you might already enjoy the profession, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to understand more about a CPA accountant salary, and if a CPA salary aligns with your long-term personal and professional goals. 

What is the CPA salary in the US? 

As of October 2024, the average CPA accountant salary in the US is $79,284¹. However, you may make more or less than this number depending on several factors. A CPA licensure boosts your career prospects immensely, but a CPA salary also depends on your experience, company, position, location, etc. Let’s review. 

Experience level 

Generally speaking, more experience begets more seniority, which boosts your chances of increasing your salary. Current national averages for CPA salary by experience include:¹ 

• Entry-level: $59,000 - $68,000 
• Mid-career: $68,000 - $82,000 
• Manager: $82,000 - $95,000 
• Senior Manager/Director: $95,000 - $105,000+ 

Not every CPA will follow—or even want—this professional trajectory, and that’s okay! The key is to find a balance between your salary goals and career fulfillment. 

Location 

While the average CPA salary in the U.S. is over $79,000 per year, this number varies greatly by state. In 2024, the five states with the top CPA salaries are:² 

1. New York: $113,310 per year 
2. Washington DC: $113,190 
3. New Jersey: $110,700 
4. California: $100,560 
5. Massachusetts: $99,360 

But to understand how far your CPA salary will go in each state, you’ll also need to consider the cost of living in each. 

For example, CPAs make the most in New York at an average of $113,310 per year, but they also need to consider that the average cost of living for a family of four is $93,600.³ If you’re the sole provider of a four-person family in New York, you’re therefore left with a disposable income of around $19,710. Also, you'll need to factor that living in Manhattan will be significantly more expensive than cities like Albany or Buffalo. 

Meanwhile, CPAs in Kansas earn an average of $75,885 per year⁴ ($37,425 less than the average in New York). But they benefit from greater affordability. The cost of living in Kansas is 14% less expensive than the national average,⁵ at about $42,600 yearly. This gives CPAs in Kansas roughly $33,285 of disposable income, as opposed to the $19,710 of those living in New York. 

Despite salary and living expenses, every job will come with its benefits and disadvantages, and where you choose to look for employment depends entirely on you: the job position, your lifestyle, career goals, financial planning, social or familial ties, etc. 

Niche 

Working in certain areas within the profession (ie: tax, audit and assurance, or accounting) can command even higher average salaries, as reported in a 2024 hiring trends survey.⁶ To increase your average CPA salary, consider developing skills in the following areas. 

• Audit & Assurance: Audit and assurance go hand-in-hand, verifying and building trust in the accuracy of reporting and financial statements. 
  • Senior auditor and assurance professional average annual salary: $88,000-$118,0007 
  • Senior manager and director average annual salary: $107,843-$160,0008 
• Tax: Corporate tax CPAs strategically work to help organizations avoid risk and remain compliant. 
  • Senior corporate tax accountant average annual salary: almost $90,2279 
  • Tax Director average annual salary: $191,95810 
• Financial Reporting: Financial and SEC reporting are critical to businesses because they provide transparency, help inform decisions, and report earnings and performance. 
  • Senior Financial Reporting Accountant average annual salary: $99,97911 
  • Director of SEC Financial Reporting average annual salary: $172,24212 

Continuing professional education (CPE) is required of all CPAs to maintain licensure. However, it’s also the perfect opportunity to specialize within your field and boost your CPA accountant salary. 

Industry and employer 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest-paying industries for accountants and auditors are:¹³ 

1. Finance and insurance  
2. Management of companies and enterprises 
3. Accounting, tax prep, bookkeeping, payroll services 
4. Government 

Pay will vary, even within these lucrative industries. Big 4 vs. mid-tier accounting firms typically have the budget to offer a more attractive compensation package. However, while smaller firms or self-employment may not pay as much as the bigger organizations, they have other advantages attractive to candidates depending on each one’s personal and career goals. 

CPA salary vs. non-CPA salary 

Earning potential is also a critical consideration when deciding if the CPA path is right for you. On average, a CPA’s salary is significantly higher than a non-CPA accountant. More specifically, the CPA average salary is $79,284, while the non-CPA average salary is $68,326.¹⁴ 

However, the wage gap between CPAs and non-CPAs widens substantially as those in each path gain experience and seniority. At the high ends of both salary ranges, CPAs out-earn non-CPAs by $100,000 or more. This difference highlights that, in the accounting profession, deciding not to pursue certifications and licensures will significantly stunt your earning potential. 

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Benefits beyond salary 

In addition to an attractive CPA salary, there is more to a career than money. Earning your CPA license comes with numerous benefits and responsibilities a CPA can do that an accountant can’t. When weighing your decision to pursue a CPA license, consider the additional perks that come with the title. 

Prestige 

The rigor and standards required to earn your CPA license contribute to a higher salary—as well as an increase in recognition and reputation. Passing the CPA Exam and adhering to industry, state board, and ethical standards throughout your career convey status and credibility to employers, which are also baked into salaries. 

Career fast track 

CPA licensure proves your skills and knowledge to practice in private and public accounting, which opens doors to whichever career path most interests you. The versatility of your training and depth of your specialized knowledge—proven by passing all four sections of the CPA Exam—also mean that you’re exposed to a bigger variety of clients, industries, and job opportunities. Whatever you invest in your CPA training, you’ll likely earn back through salary, earning potential, and career options. 

High demand for CPAs 

It's estimated that 75 percent of today’s CPAs will retire in the next 15 years.¹⁶ Additionally, 2023 marked the lowest number of CPA candidates the industry had seen in over 16 years.¹⁷ These statistics demonstrate a remarkable lack of qualified talent to manage the billions of dollars at stake for public entities in need of CPA services and skillsets. 

Start the road toward earning a CPA salary today 

The path to becoming a CPA isn’t an easy one, but the benefits you’ll reap far out way the investment. Even if management and leadership aren’t in your career goals, becoming a CPA will unlock opportunities to sharpen your accounting prowess, keep things interesting in your career, and considerably bump your salary potential. 

Download our free guide to the CPA Exam to find all you need to start your CPA journey. Learn and plan your path to licensure with: 

• CPA Exam qualifications
• CPA Exam format 
• Study tips 
• and much more! 

Start your CPA success with Becker. 

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