Accounting Career Pay Ladder: Bookkeeper to Accountant to Financial Manager
Finance careers often start with bookkeeping or staff accounting and move toward analysis and management. The pay steps are steep, and the latest federal data also shows that the entry-level rung is shrinking, which makes moving up more important. Here are the May 2025 numbers.
The pay ladder at a glance
| Occupation | U.S. jobs | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. | Typical entry education | Projected growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeping clerk | 1,373,680 | $36,000 | $50,670 | $74,550 | Some college, no degree | -5.6% |
| Accountant / auditor | 1,449,500 | $56,020 | $83,680 | $144,090 | Bachelor's degree | +5.0% |
| Financial analyst | 361,980 | $63,720 | $102,740 | $180,860 | Bachelor's degree | +7.2% |
| Financial manager | 841,710 | $94,310 | $166,570 | $323,270 | Bachelor's degree | +9.7% |
Wages are May 2025 estimates from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025; growth and education from BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. The 10th and 90th percentiles show the range from entry-level or lower-paying employers to the most experienced or best-paid workers. For comparison, the median for all U.S. occupations was $50,980.
Bookkeeping clerk to accountant
Bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks earn a median of $50,670, and BLS projects the occupation to change by -5.6% through 2035. Accountants and auditors earn $83,680, a gap of $33,010. BLS says accountants typically need a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field and that CPA licensure may improve job prospects.
Accountant to analyst
Financial and investment analysts earn a median of $102,740. Many move over from accounting because they already read financial statements well; what they add is forecasting, valuation and modeling.
Into management
Financial managers (controllers, treasurers, finance directors) earn a median of $166,570. BLS notes they typically need a bachelor’s degree plus five or more years of experience in another business or financial occupation. Projected growth is 9.7%.
Where accountant / auditors earn the most
State medians for accountants and auditors vary widely. The five highest-paying states in the May 2025 survey:
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,530 | 9,810 |
| New York | $102,640 | 109,830 |
| New Jersey | $100,830 | 42,250 |
| Massachusetts | $99,460 | 46,230 |
| Connecticut | $97,550 | 16,770 |
Raise tips for accounting staff
- Credentials price in. If you earn a CPA, ask for the pay change at the moment you pass, not at the next annual review.
- Busy-season hours. Junior accountants who are not exempt from overtime law are owed time-and-a-half after 40 hours; ask how your role is classified.
Published October 27, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Header image: original chart by JobPayRaise.com using BLS OEWS May 2025 data.
Comments (1)
On the CPA point: most states have long required 150 semester hours of education for CPA licensure, and a growing number have recently added alternative pathways that combine a bachelor's degree with additional experience. Requirements vary by state, so check your board of accountancy through NASBA before planning extra coursework.