90% OFF - $9.99
11:59:59
Claim Lifetime Deal
2026 Salary Data — Boston, MA
Updated April 28, 2026

Accountant Salary in Boston: $104K Median

Accountants in Boston, MA earn between $72K and $172K per year.

That's +30% above the US national median of $79,880 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Accountant salary in Boston, MA is $103,844 per year — +30% above the US national median of $79,880. Salaries range from $71,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $172,497 (90th percentile). Accountants in Boston earned approximately $20,362 in 2025, representing 410.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$103,844
+410.0% YoY · $8,654/mo
Entry
$71,500
0–2 years
Experienced
$136,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$172,497
Senior/lead
Accountant Salary — Boston vs Nearby
Boston
$104K
San Diego
$94K
+10% vs Boston
Seattle
$105K
-2% vs Boston
Long Beach
$96K
+8% vs Boston

Free ATS scan · Boston employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Accountants in Boston

Accountants prepare financial statements, ensure compliance with regulations, perform audits, and provide financial analysis.

Core Responsibilities

  • Prepare financial statements
  • Tax preparation and planning
  • Audit support
  • Financial analysis
  • Internal controls

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree in accounting; 150 credit hours for CPA

In-demand certifications

CPACMACIACFAEnrolled Agent (IRS)

Boston Job Market

Premier biotech, healthcare, and education hub with major tech presence.

Population
692K
Cost of Living
162
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.4%
Median Home
$750K

Top Industries in Boston

HealthcareEducationBiotechTechFinance

Top Employers Hiring Accountants

Major employers active in Boston or hiring remotely from this metro.

Big Four (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG)
Berkshire Hathaway
JPMorgan
Goldman Sachs
Mid-tier firms (BDO, RSM)

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Accountant listings.

CPAAdvisory servicesData analyticsAutomation toolsESG reporting

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

CPAGAAPIFRSExcelQuickBooksSAPaudittaxreconciliationfinancial reporting
Career Outlook
+6% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Accountant employment projected to grow 6% through 2034. CPA shortage driving competitive salaries, especially in public accounting.

Accountant Salary Breakdown — Boston

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$71,500$103,844$172,497
Monthly$5,958$8,654$14,375
Weekly$1,375$1,997$3,317
Hourly$34$50$83

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($79,880) adjusted for Boston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.30×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Accountant Take-Home Pay in Boston

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$76,160.054
Per month$6,347
Biweekly paycheck$2,929
Effective tax rate26.7%

Tax Breakdown on $103,844

Gross salary$103,844
Federal income tax−$14,547.68
Massachusetts state tax−$5,192.2
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,944.066
Take-home (net)$76,160.054

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Accountant Salary by Experience — Boston

Career-stage progression for Accountants in Boston.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$65,780
2–3 yr$71,500
4–6 yr$104,000
7–10 yr$136,500
11–15 yr$161,070
15+ yr$154,499

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Boston's 1.30× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+410.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$20,362
2026 median:$103,844
Change:+$83,482

Finance sector growth driven by demand for CPA and Advisory services.

Is This A Good Salary?

Livable middle-class

Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$64,101
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Accountant Salary in Boston

Walk-away anchor: $92,718 (offers below this are below market for Boston).

Leverage Points

  • Bonus targets and historical payout percentages (ask for last 3 years actual)
  • Profit-share, carry, or AUM-linked compensation for senior roles
  • CFA, CPA, or Series licenses materially shift base compensation
  • Buyout of unvested deferred comp from your current employer

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Guaranteed first-year bonus (especially in IB, PE, hedge funds)Sign-on / make-whole for forfeited deferred compCarried interest or profit-share at PE/HF/VC firmsCFA / Series exam fees and study time off401(k) match and deferred comp plan

What To Say

"I'm walking away from $X in unvested deferred compensation if I leave now. Can we structure the offer with a sign-on that makes me whole, plus a guaranteed first-year bonus floor?"

Anchor on $137K–$172K for experienced roles, citing Boston market data and your specific CPA/Advisory services expertise.

Accountant Salary FAQ — Boston

What is the average Accountant salary in Boston, MA?
The average Accountant salary in Boston is $103,844 per year as of April 2026 — $8,654/month, $1,997/week, or about $50/hour. Salaries range from $71,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $172,497 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Boston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.30×).
Is $103,844 a good Accountant salary in Boston?
Livable middle-class. Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline. Boston's cost-of-living index is 162 (vs 100 nationally), giving $103,844 a real purchasing power of approximately $64,101 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $103,844 in Boston?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Boston specifically (median home price $750,000), a $103,844 salary supports a moderate lifestyle with careful budgeting.
Is $103,844 enough for a single person in Boston?
A single adult in Boston typically needs ~$72,900 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $103,844 salary is above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with reasonable budgeting.
Is $103,844 enough for a couple in Boston?
A couple (one earner) in Boston typically needs ~$116,640 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $103,844 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most couples at this level need both partners working or significant lifestyle adjustments. Two earners at $103,844 each ($207,688 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $103,844 enough for a family of 4 in Boston?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Boston typically needs ~$178,200 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $103,844 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Boston. Childcare costs in Boston typically run $24K-$45K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Accountant in Boston?
On a $103,844 Accountant salary in Boston, MA, you take home approximately $76,160.054 per year ($6,347/month, $2,929 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $14,547.68, state $5,192.2, FICA $7,944.066. Effective tax rate: 26.7%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Accountants in Boston earn compared to the US average?
Accountants in Boston earn approximately 30% more than the US national median for this role ($79,880 nationally vs $103,844 in Boston). However, Boston's cost-of-living index of 162 means real purchasing power is approximately $64,101 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Accountant earn in Boston?
Entry-level Accountants in Boston typically start at around $71,500 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Accountants earn $136,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $172,497+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Accountant salaries in Boston increase in 2026?
Yes — Accountant salaries in Boston grew approximately 410.0% year-over-year, from $20,362 in 2025 to $103,844 in 2026 (+$83,482). This reflects the broader Finance sector's compensation trend, driven by CPA and Advisory services demand.
What's the job outlook for Accountants in Boston?
Accountant employment projected to grow 6% through 2034. CPA shortage driving competitive salaries, especially in public accounting. Boston's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Biotech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.4% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Accountants in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Accountants are: CPA, Advisory services, Data analytics, Automation tools, ESG reporting. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Boston.
Who are the top employers hiring Accountants in Boston?
Top employers hiring Accountants in or near Boston include: Big Four (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG), Berkshire Hathaway, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Mid-tier firms (BDO, RSM). Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Accountant salary in Boston?
I'm walking away from $X in unvested deferred compensation if I leave now. Can we structure the offer with a sign-on that makes me whole, plus a guaranteed first-year bonus floor? Key leverage points for Finance negotiations: Bonus targets and historical payout percentages (ask for last 3 years actual); Profit-share, carry, or AUM-linked compensation for senior roles; CFA, CPA, or Series licenses materially shift base compensation. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Guaranteed first-year bonus (especially in IB, PE, hedge funds), Sign-on / make-whole for forfeited deferred comp, Carried interest or profit-share at PE/HF/VC firms, CFA / Series exam fees and study time off.
How can I increase my Accountant salary in Boston?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (CPA, Advisory services, Data analytics) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., CPA or CMA). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Accountant in Boston?
Bachelor's degree in accounting; 150 credit hours for CPA is the typical path. However, Boston's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Finance roles.

Methodology & Sources

Accountant salary figures for Boston are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($79,880) by Boston's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.30× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (410.0%) reflects the Finance sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Boston

Financial Analyst →

Accountant Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$102KSeattle, WA$105KWashington, DC$104K

Land a $104K+ Accountant Role in Boston

Knowing the salary is step one. Step two: getting past the ATS. CVCraft scans your resume, finds missing keywords, and fixes formatting issues in 60 seconds.

Scan My Resume Free

No signup required · Works for all Finance roles