How Much Does a Junior Accountant Make in 2025?
A junior accountant maintains financial records, verifies ledger entries, and organizes data for senior accountants. They assist in preparing financial reports and analyzing costs, revenues, and obligations to project future finances.
From 2023 to 2033, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 6% annual increase in the demand for accountants, including auditors. This growth will result in an average of 130,800 job openings annually over the course of the decade.
The average annual salary for a junior accountant in the United States is $63,833, with the highest-paid professionals earning up to $76,003. This article is a comprehensive summary of the salary of a junior accountant, which includes the average, pay ranges, and factors that influence compensation.
What is the Average Junior Accountant Salary?
As of Febuary 2025, the average annual income for a junior accountant in the United States is $63,833. The national average compensation for hourly employees is approximately $31 per hour, with prices often varying from $25 to $37 per hour.
2025 Junior Accountant Salary: $63,833 ($31 per hour)
Meanwhile, junior accountant's average weekly and monthly salaries are $1,228 and $5,319, respectively.
What is the Pay Range for a Junior Accountant?
Salary.com indicates that the income range for a junior accountant begins at $52,982 and may reach up to $76,003 per year, with the majority of professionals earning between $58,153 to $70,203.
The compensation range for junior accountants varies according to degree, experience, and geographic region.
Junior Accountant Salary Range: $52,982 to $76,003 per year ($25 to $37 per hour)
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $25 | $1,019 | $4,415 | $52,982 |
| 25th Percentile | $28 | $1,118 | $4,846 | $58,153 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $31 | $1,228 | $5,319 | $63,833 |
| 75th Percentile | $34 | $1,350 | $5,850 | $70,203 |
| 90th Percentile | $37 | $1,462 | $6,334 | $76,003 |
Junior Accountant Salary Factors
Various factors can affect the wages of a junior accountant. The factors encompass education, experience, geographic location, and skill set.
Years of Experience
The average salary for a junior accountant, depending upon years of experience, varies from $62,794 annually for entry-level positions to $65,285 annually for those with over 8 years of experience.
| Levels | Years of Experience | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Junior Accountant | <1 | $62,794 |
| Intermediate Level Junior Accountant | 1-2 | $63,401 |
| Senior Level Junior Accountant | 2-4 | $64,814 |
| Specialist Level Junior Accountant | 5-8 | $65,097 |
| Expert Level Junior Accountant | 8+ | $65,285 |
Place of Work
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that the industry in which accountants and auditors are employed significantly influences their salary.
| Place of Work | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Finance and insurance | $83,250 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | $82,620 |
| Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services | $79,410 |
| Government | $79,130 |
Skill Set
Junior accountants having specialized skills have the potential to increase their salary. Recent job posting data indicates that a junior accountant with accounting management skills can earn 8.04% more than those without this skill.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Statements | 25.06% | +7.38% |
| Accounting Reconciliation | 14.09% | +6.90% |
| Accounting Software | 14.11% | +4.89% |
| Spreadsheet Software | 37.49% | +4.00% |
| General Ledger | 31.21% | +3.80% |
Junior Accountant Salary by City and State
The location, whether by city or state, plays a significant role in determining the potential salary for a junior accountant. Analyzing salary data allows professionals to identify the most strategic locations for both living and working.
Highest Paying States for Junior Accountant
The District of Columbia has the highest average junior accountant salary in the United States, with an average annual salary of $71,043, according to Salary.com data.
- District of Columbia: $71,043 (or $34 per hour)
- California: $70,403 (or $34 per hour)
- New Jersey: $69,953 (or $34 per hour)
- Massachusetts: $69,443 (or $33 per hour)
- Connecticut: $68,553 (or $33 per hour)
Junior Accountant Salary by State
| State | Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $69,513 |
| Alabama | $58,663 |
| Arkansas | $58,153 |
| Arizona | $62,173 |
| California | $70,403 |
| Colorado | $65,103 |
| Connecticut | $68,553 |
| District of Columbia | $71,043 |
| Delaware | $64,783 |
| Florida | $60,543 |
| Georgia | $61,723 |
| Hawaii | $66,703 |
| Iowa | $61,083 |
| Idaho | $59,553 |
| Illinois | $65,293 |
| Indiana | $61,913 |
| Kansas | $60,763 |
| Kentucky | $60,063 |
| Louisiana | $60,703 |
| Massachusetts | $69,443 |
| Maryland | $65,813 |
| Maine | $62,103 |
| Michigan | $63,003 |
| Minnesota | $65,293 |
| Missouri | $60,833 |
| Mississippi | $56,943 |
| Montana | $59,623 |
| North Carolina | $61,273 |
| North Dakota | $63,193 |
| Nebraska | $60,133 |
| New Hampshire | $64,913 |
| New Jersey | $69,953 |
| New Mexico | $58,853 |
| Nevada | $64,083 |
| New York | $68,043 |
| Ohio | $62,423 |
| Oklahoma | $59,043 |
| Oregon | $64,853 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,703 |
| Rhode Island | $66,633 |
| South Carolina | $60,253 |
| South Dakota | $57,383 |
| Tennessee | $59,103 |
| Texas | $62,493 |
| Utah | $60,703 |
| Virginia | $64,023 |
| Vermont | $62,613 |
| Washington | $68,803 |
| Wisconsin | $63,063 |
| West Virginia | $57,453 |
| Wyoming | $61,213 |
Highest Paying Cities for Junior Accountant
San Jose, California is the highest-paying city for junior accountants, according to Salary.com, with an average annual salary of $80,103.
- San Jose, California: $80,103 per year (or $39 per hour)
- San Francisco, California: $79,783 per year (or $38 per hour)
- Oakland, California: $77,873 per year (or $37 per hour)
- New York, New York: $74,553 per year (or $36 per hour)
- Queens Village, New York: $74,043 per year (or $36 per hour)
Ways to Increase Your Salary as a Junior Accountant
There are several strategies you can employ to boost the potential salary of a junior accountant. Here are some actionable steps:
- Gain more experience: Salary increases are positively correlated with the accumulation of work experience. For example, entry-level junior accountants earn around $62,794, but experience earns them approximately $64,814 after 2 to 4 years. Senior or specialist roles typically pay around $65,097 or higher.
- Obtain professional certifications: Completing certifications such as the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) can result in increased earnings. The Institute of Management Accountants conducted a study that revealed that CMAs respond to industry demands and earn a substantial amount more than their non-certified peers.
- Specialize in high-paying locations: Salaries for the job title of a junior accountant can be significantly affected by geographic location. States like California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey offer higher salaries, averaging $70,403, while cities like San Jose provide up to $80,103. In contrast, locations with the lowest pay may offer significantly less, despite handling similar financial data and responsibilities.
- Develop in-demand skills: It is imperative to expand one's skill set and build a strong connection within the industry in order to receive a higher salary. Accounting management is one of the most highly compensated skills, with a salary increase of approximately 8.04%. Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) follow, with a salary increase of 7.57%. These abilities can render you a more competitive candidate for positions that offer higher salaries.
- Negotiate effectively: When negotiating salary, equip yourself with statistics on industry salary standards and clearly communicate your contributions to the organization. Proceeding with an evaluation of compensation data and bargaining according to your market worth can facilitate securing a higher income.
Average National Salaries by Source
The salaries for a junior accountant from five of the top reputable salary-reporting sites, as of February 7, 2025, are listed below, with an average of $57,200 (unweighted) across these sites.
SALARY.COM AVG. SALARY
$63,833/year
TALENT.COM AVG. SALARY
$50,736/year
GLASSDOOR AVG. SALARY
$55,427/year
COMPARABLY AVG. SALARY
$61,068/year
ZIPRECRUITER AVG. SALARY
$54,939/year
