California ranks 5th of 51 states and D.C. for accountants and auditors pay, trailing top-paying District of Columbia ($103,030) by $6,670 — a 7% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $60,920 to $162,150 — a $101,230 spread, 14% wider than the national $88,640 range.
California employs roughly 12.0% of all accountants and auditors in the country (173,370 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $60,920 | $29.29 |
| 25th percentile | $76,210 | $36.64 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $96,360 | $46.33 |
| 75th percentile | $124,890 | $60.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,150 | $77.96 |
| Mean (average) | $104,710 | $50.34 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $96,360 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | $103,030 | +7% |
| New York | $101,780 | +6% |
| New Jersey | $101,340 | +5% |
| Massachusetts | $96,580 | +0% |
| Washington | $96,180 | +0% |
| Rhode Island | $90,040 | -7% |
| Colorado | $90,030 | -7% |
| Connecticut | $89,630 | -7% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $96,820 | 46,530 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $95,840 | 37,760 |
| Operations Research Analysts | $96,920 | 11,030 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $96,950 | 11,110 |
| Chemists | $97,010 | 8,480 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $97,080 | 72,660 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Accountants and Auditors salary in California?
The mean accountants and auditors salary in California is $104,710 per year. The median (middle) salary is $96,360 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Accountants and Auditors in California?
Entry-level accountants and auditorss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $60,920 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $76,210 per year.
What is the highest Accountants and Auditors salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $162,150 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $124,890 per year.
How does the California Accountants and Auditors salary compare to the national average?
The median accountants and auditors salary in California is $96,360, which is +18% above national average of $81,680.