Accountants and Auditors pay in California
In California, the median pay for accountants and auditors is $46.66 an hour ($97,050 a year). About 175,360 people work in this job there.
That is 16% higher than the U.S. median ($83,680). California ranks 6th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for accountants and auditors in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $29.70 | $61,770 |
| 25% of workers | $36.45 | $75,810 |
| Half of workers (median) | $46.66 | $97,050 |
| 75% of workers | $60.51 | $125,850 |
| 90% of workers | $77.17 | $160,520 |
Accountants and Auditors pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $121,700 | 13,180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $110,730 | 25,170 |
| Napa | $99,640 | 520 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $96,340 | 13,450 |
| Vallejo | $95,800 | 690 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $94,690 | 1,740 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $94,360 | 70,640 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $92,110 | 13,170 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $91,610 | 1,510 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $90,340 | 2,530 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $88,160 | 860 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $84,920 | 740 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $83,920 | 9,240 |
| Salinas | $83,810 | 1,050 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $83,570 | 1,420 |
| Modesto | $83,560 | 1,200 |
| Merced | $80,420 | 360 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $79,620 | 1,870 |
| Visalia | $79,400 | 870 |
| Redding | $78,990 | 490 |
| Fresno | $78,690 | 2,810 |
| Yuba City | $78,530 | 280 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $78,300 | 210 |
| Chico | $77,680 | 420 |
| El Centro | $76,280 | 300 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for accountants and auditors
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +5% over ten years, faster than average · about 115,300 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $109,110 |
| Personal Financial Advisors | $130,330 |
| Loan Officers | $81,770 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $80,810 |
| Tax Preparers | $70,030 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $74,110 |
| Insurance Underwriters | $95,320 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $88,900 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.