How Much does Audit Managers Make? (2025)
The accounting industry is evolving, and auditors are essential for compliance and accuracy in reporting. Behind every strong team of auditors, audit managers ensure quality standards and guide the team toward organizational goals.
For 2025, Salary.com projected the median annual salary for audit managers in the United States to be $145,215.28. Read on to learn more about audit managers, their job descriptions, salary expectations, and answers to common questions about this career path.
What does an Audit Manager do?
As audit managers, they spend their days planning and managing audits, preparing reports, recommending improvements, and overseeing their teams to meet goals and budgets. They also collaborate with other departments such as risk, finance, IT, and security to facilitate audits.
The role requires a bachelor's degree and typically a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), with some positions also requiring a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). It typically reports to an audit director and needs 5 years of experience, plus 1 to 3 years of supervisory experience. Strong knowledge of the auditing function and department processes is also required.
What is the Audit Manager’s Salary?
For 2025, the projected median annual salary for audit managers in the United States is $145,215.28, which is 2.8% higher than the 2024 median of $141,260.
As of this writing, audit manager salaries in the U.S. range from $111,724 to $173,527, with most earning between $125,800 and $158,150.
For the hourly rate, audit managers typically earn an average of $68 per hour, with hourly salaries ranging from $54 to $83. Meanwhile, audit managers' salary plus bonuses has a median of $154,710, depending on the percentile.
| Percentile | Salary + Bonus |
| 10th Percentile | $118,220 ($57 per hour) |
| 25th Percentile | $135,610 ($65 per hour) |
| 50th Percentile | $154,710 ($74 per hour) |
| 75th Percentile | $178,880 ($86 per hour) |
| 90th Percentile | $200,886 ($97 per hour) |
The median total compensation for audit managers is $211,885, according to Salary.com reports based on HR data. Benefits like time off ($19,041), Social Security ($11,835), and healthcare ($8,352) make up about 9.5% of the total package.
| Core Compensation | ||
| Median | % of Total | |
| Base Salary | $141,260 | 66.7% |
| Bonus | $13,450 | 6.3% |
| Value of Benefits | ||
| Median | % of Total | |
| Social Security | $11,835 | 5.6% |
| 401K/403B | $6,498 | 3.1% |
| Disability | $3,094 | 1.5% |
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 3.9% |
| Pension | $8,354 | 3.9% |
| Time Off | $19,041 | 9.0% |
| Total Compensation | $211,885 | 100% |
What Can Affect Audit Manager’s Salaries?
Factors such as experience level, geographic location, education, and skills can greatly affect the salary of audit managers. Below are the key salary breakdowns:
By Experience Level
An entry-level Audit Manager earns about $135,153, while a mid-level Audit Manager makes around $135,843. With 2 to 4 years of experience, the salary rises to about $137,456. Senior Audit Managers with 5 to 8 years earn around $139,298, and those with 8+ years make about $141,413 on average.
| Levels | Salary |
| Entry Level Audit Manager | $135,153 |
| Intermediate Level Audit Manager | $135,843 |
| Senior Level Audit Manager | $137,456 |
| Specialist Level Audit Manager | $139,298 |
| Expert Level Audit Manager | $141,413 |
By Geographic Location
Salaries in the United States vary by state due to factors like cost of living, local economy, and industry presence. Currently, there are six hot cities in the US, meaning these locations offer competitive salaries for audit managers.
| Cities | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
| San Francisco, California | $157,240 | $176,570 | $197,690 |
| Washington, District of Columbia | $140,010 | $157,220 | $176,030 |
| Miami, Florida | $121,390 | $136,310 | $152,620 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $131,960 | $148,180 | $165,900 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $141,020 | $158,350 | $177,290 |
| New York, New York | $146,930 | $164,990 | $184,720 |
| Dallas, Texas | $124,160 | $139,420 | $156,100 |
Based on the table above, San Francisco offers the highest salaries, ranging from $157,240 to $197,690, while Miami has the lowest, with salaries ranging from $121,390 to $152,620.
By Skills
Audit managers with certain skills can increase their salaries, particularly those with high-demand skills.
According to Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, an audit manager with accounting skills can earn a 5.33% increase, followed by auditing skills with a 6.58% increase. The demand for these skills is 80.00% and 49.23%, respectively.
Other skills that can increase salary of audit managers include:
| Skills | Increase (%) | Demand (%) |
| Audit Documentation | 6.05% | 38.39% |
| Internal Audit | 6.92% | 25.05% |
| Internal Controls | 2.48% | 23.78% |
| Spreadsheet Software | 2.51% | 17.68% |
| Financial Services Industry | 4.43% | 11.89% |
| Life Insurance | 6.35% | 9.6% |
By Education
Most Audit Managers have a bachelor's degree (56.1%), followed by a master's degree (37.2%). The lowest education level is no diploma (0.3%), with smaller percentages holding a high school diploma (3.7%), associate's degree (2.1%), or doctorate (0.5%).
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 0.3% |
| High School | 3.7% |
| Associates | 2.1% |
| Bachelors | 56.1% |
| Masters | 37.2% |
| Doctorate | 0.5% |
How to become an audit manager
To become an audit manager, you need to get a relevant degree, gain experience as an auditor, and earn certifications such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).
Starting in an entry-level audit role, you can advance by demonstrating expertise, leadership, and the ability to manage teams and projects. Advanced certifications or a master's degree can help speed up your career growth.
Based on Salary.com's report, this role typically requires five years of experience, including one to three years in a supervisory capacity.
What are the FAQs about Audit Managers?
Here are some common questions about audit managers:
How much does an audit manager earn on average?
As of this writing, an audit manager earns an average of $141,260 per year, which breaks down to $68 per hour, $2,717 per week, and $11,772 per month.
But for 2025, Salary.com projects the median annual salary for audit managers in the United States to be $145,215.
What is the qualification for audit manager?
The qualification for audit manager includes a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance. A CPA is often required, and a CIA is preferred. Candidates need 5 years of auditing experience, 1 to 3 years of supervisory experience, and strong knowledge of auditing and regulations.
What is the role of an audit manager?
The role of an audit manager is to oversee the auditing process, including planning and executing audits, ensuring compliance with regulations, and working with departments to improve internal controls. They also supervise audit teams, prepare reports, and recommend ways to improve efficiency and reduce risk.
