CPA Salary in 2026: How Much Do Accountants Really Earn?

Demand for qualified accounting professionals continues to grow, and the financial rewards of earning a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license—a credential that demonstrates expertise in accounting, auditing, and tax through rigorous examination and state licensure—can be compelling. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 5% employment growth for accountants and auditors from 2024 to 2034, with approximately 124,200 openings expected each year.¹ For professionals weighing the investment of time and study required to pass the CPA exam, the data suggests strong earning potential: CPAs typically out-earn their non-licensed peers and enjoy strong job security across economic cycles.

This post covers the average CPA salary in 2026, the key factors that influence how much CPAs make, how earnings grow over the course of a career and how DePaul University’s Online Master of Science in Accountancy can help you prepare.

What Is the Average CPA Salary in 2026?

So, how much does a CPA make? The answer depends on the data source, but several major salary sites confirm that CPAs earn well above the general accounting baseline. The BLS reports a median annual wage of $81,680 for all accountants and auditors as of May 2024.¹ When you isolate professionals who hold an active CPA license, the numbers climb considerably.

Sources differ because of methodology—some report averages while others use medians, and data may be self-reported or drawn from job postings across varying geographies. Indeed lists the average CPA salary at $97,422 per year as of May 2026, based on reported salaries.³

ZipRecruiter places the average annual CPA pay at $91,980, with most salaries falling between $75,000 and $103,000 and top earners reaching $125,000.⁶ PayScale reports a CPA average salary of $84,642 in 2026.⁴

CPA Starting Salary

For those just entering the profession, the CPA starting salary is already competitive. PayScale indicates that an entry-level CPA with less than one year of experience earns average total compensation of approximately $61,914.⁴ In public accounting firms specifically, the 2025 AICPA/Journal of Accountancy MAP Survey found that median starting salaries for new hires with a master’s degree rose roughly 17% to $67,750, while bachelor’s-degree hires saw an 11% increase to $60,834.⁵

How Much More Do CPAs Make Than Non-CPAs?

The salary gap between licensed CPAs and general accountants is notable. The AICPA states that CPAs can earn “sometimes up to 15% more than non-CPAs” because of the expertise and authority the credential conveys.² The actual premium varies by role, employer and market. For additional context, bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks—roles that do not require a CPA—earned a median annual wage of just $49,210 in May 2024, according to the BLS.⁷ The difference underscores the value of pursuing licensure for anyone considering a long-term career in accounting.

Key Factors That Influence Your CPA Accountant Salary

Understanding how much CPAs make requires looking beyond national averages. Several variables can push your CPA accountant salary well above—or below—the median.

Geographic Location and Cost of Living

Where you practice has a substantial impact on your earning potential. Indeed reports CPA salaries of $112,489 in San Francisco, $117,579 in New York City and $126,858 in Washington, D.C.—all significantly above the national average.^8,9,10 Chicago CPAs average a $94,828 salary, still above the $91,980 national average.¹¹ ZipRecruiter’s state-level analysis identifies 15 states where CPA pay exceeds the national average, with Washington, D.C., and New York at the top.¹² Illinois sits at an average salary of $89,131.¹²

Robert Half emphasizes that location is a core pay variable in accounting and encourages firms to use its 2026 Salary Calculator to customize starting salaries by local market.^13,14 Even within a single state, metro versus rural placement can produce meaningful salary differences. It is worth noting that higher nominal pay often correlates with a higher cost of living, so professionals should research local market data when evaluating offers.

Years of Experience

Experience is one of the strongest predictors of how much a CPA makes over time. Entry-level CPAs average approximately $61,914.⁴ The BLS shows that the top 10% of accountants and auditors earn more than $141,420.¹ Robert Half places the 2026 national midpoint salary for a senior accountant at $94,750, while ZipRecruiter lists the average Senior Accountant CPA salary at $105,943.^15,16

Specialization and In-Demand Skills

The area of accounting you focus on also shapes your CPA accountant salary. Robert Half projects that public accounting roles in tax, audit, and assurance will see year-over-year salary increases of 3.7% in 2026, outpacing the 2.1% average increase across all finance and accounting roles.^13,17 Role-specific midpoints include $95,250 for a Senior Tax Services Associate, $113,500 for an Audit/Assurance Services Manager, and $164,750 for a Compliance Director.¹⁸

Glassdoor data further illustrates the specialization premium: a Tax Accountant/CPA averages $120,485, compared with $106,932 for a general CPA accountant role.^19,20 Additionally, Robert Half reports that 87% of finance and accounting leaders offer higher pay to candidates with specialized skills.¹⁷

Career Progression: How Much Do CPAs Make Over Time?

One of the most attractive aspects of the CPA credential is the clear, upward salary trajectory it can enable. Career paths vary by employer, industry (public accounting, corporate, government), and individual choices, but here is what a general progression may look like:

• Entry level (0–1 years): Average total compensation of approximately $61,914; master’s-degree holders in public accounting start at a median of $67,750⁵
• Mid-career / senior accountant (5–8 years): National midpoint salary of $94,750 per Robert Half; ZipRecruiter places Senior Accountant CPA pay at $105,943 on average^15,16
• Management (8–12+ years): Audit/Assurance Services Manager midpoint salary of $113,500; Compliance Director midpoint of $164,750¹⁸
• Senior leadership and partner track: The top 10% of accountants and auditors earn more than $141,420, with partner-level compensation that can exceed this figure¹

The credential premium also compounds over time. Because the CPA is considered the “gold standard” in accounting, it is often required or strongly preferred for senior-level roles in public accounting.¹² As you advance, the up-to-15% earnings advantage over non-CPAs translates into increasingly larger dollar amounts.²

Combined with projected 5% employment growth and approximately 124,200 annual openings, the CPA path offers not only higher pay but also exceptional long-term career stability.¹

Prepare for the CPA Exam With an Online Master’s in Accountancy From DePaul University

The data is clear: earning your CPA license is one of the most effective ways to increase your earning potential, unlock leadership opportunities, and secure long-term career stability in accounting. Whether you are drawn to tax, audit, forensic accounting, or advisory services, the credential opens doors at every stage of your career.

For professionals ready to act on this salary research, a graduate degree can provide both the academic preparation and the credit hours needed to pursue licensure. DePaul University’s Online Master of Science in Accountancy is designed to help you meet the 150 credit-hour requirement for CPA licensure—though requirements vary by state—while building advanced expertise in the areas employers value most. Housed within the Driehaus College of Business and the School of Accountancy and Management Information Systems, the program combines rigorous academics with the flexibility working professionals need.

Take the next step toward a rewarding CPA career. Contact us today to learn more about admissions requirements and how DePaul’s program can help you achieve your professional goals.