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2026 Salary Data — Long Beach, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Accountant Salary in Long Beach: $96K Median

Accountants in Long Beach, CA earn between $66K and $159K per year.

That's +20% above the US national median of $79,880 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Accountant salary in Long Beach, CA is $95,856 per year — +20% above the US national median of $79,880. Salaries range from $66,000 (entry, 25th percentile) to $159,228 (90th percentile). Accountants in Long Beach earned approximately $18,795 in 2025, representing 410.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$95,856
+410.0% YoY · $7,988/mo
Entry
$66,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$126,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$159,228
Senior/lead
Accountant Salary — Long Beach vs Nearby
Long Beach
$96K
Los Angeles
$102K
-6% vs Long Beach
San Diego
$94K
+2% vs Long Beach
San Francisco
$124K
-23% vs Long Beach

Free ATS scan · Long Beach employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Accountants in Long Beach

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)

Long Beach Job Market

Major Pacific port city with strong aerospace and healthcare presence.

Population
467K
Cost of Living
153
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5%
Median Home
$770K

Top Industries in Long Beach

AerospaceHealthcareLogistics (Port)TourismEducation

Top Employers Hiring Accountants

Major employers active in Long Beach 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 — Long Beach

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$66,000$95,856$159,228
Monthly$5,500$7,988$13,269
Weekly$1,269$1,843$3,062
Hourly$32$46$77

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($79,880) adjusted for Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (1.20×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Accountant Take-Home Pay in Long Beach

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$70,460.616
Per month$5,872
Biweekly paycheck$2,710
Effective tax rate26.5%

Tax Breakdown on $95,856

Gross salary$95,856
Federal income tax−$12,790.32
California state tax−$5,272.08
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,332.984
Take-home (net)$70,460.616

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 — Long Beach

Career-stage progression for Accountants in Long Beach.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$60,720
2–3 yr$66,000
4–6 yr$96,000
7–10 yr$126,000
11–15 yr$148,680
15+ yr$142,614

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Long Beach's 1.20× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+410.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$18,795
2026 median:$95,856
Change:+$77,061

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
$62,651
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 Long Beach

Walk-away anchor: $85,586 (offers below this are below market for Long Beach).

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 $126K–$159K for experienced roles, citing Long Beach market data and your specific CPA/Advisory services expertise.

Accountant Salary FAQ — Long Beach

What is the average Accountant salary in Long Beach, CA?
The average Accountant salary in Long Beach is $95,856 per year as of April 2026 — $7,988/month, $1,843/week, or about $46/hour. Salaries range from $66,000 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $159,228 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (1.20×).
Is $95,856 a good Accountant salary in Long Beach?
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. Long Beach's cost-of-living index is 153 (vs 100 nationally), giving $95,856 a real purchasing power of approximately $62,651 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 $95,856 in Long Beach?
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 Long Beach specifically (median home price $770,000), a $95,856 salary supports a moderate lifestyle with careful budgeting.
Is $95,856 enough for a single person in Long Beach?
A single adult in Long Beach typically needs ~$68,850 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $95,856 salary is above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with reasonable budgeting.
Is $95,856 enough for a couple in Long Beach?
A couple (one earner) in Long Beach typically needs ~$110,160 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $95,856 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 $95,856 each ($191,712 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $95,856 enough for a family of 4 in Long Beach?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Long Beach typically needs ~$168,300 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $95,856 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 Long Beach. Childcare costs in Long Beach typically run $23K-$43K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Accountant in Long Beach?
On a $95,856 Accountant salary in Long Beach, CA, you take home approximately $70,460.616 per year ($5,872/month, $2,710 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $12,790.32, state $5,272.08, FICA $7,332.984. Effective tax rate: 26.5%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Accountants in Long Beach earn compared to the US average?
Accountants in Long Beach earn approximately 20% more than the US national median for this role ($79,880 nationally vs $95,856 in Long Beach). However, Long Beach's cost-of-living index of 153 means real purchasing power is approximately $62,651 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Accountant earn in Long Beach?
Entry-level Accountants in Long Beach typically start at around $66,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Accountants earn $126,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $159,228+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Accountant salaries in Long Beach increase in 2026?
Yes — Accountant salaries in Long Beach grew approximately 410.0% year-over-year, from $18,795 in 2025 to $95,856 in 2026 (+$77,061). This reflects the broader Finance sector's compensation trend, driven by CPA and Advisory services demand.
What's the job outlook for Accountants in Long Beach?
Accountant employment projected to grow 6% through 2034. CPA shortage driving competitive salaries, especially in public accounting. Long Beach's top industries include Aerospace, Healthcare, Logistics (Port), and the metro's current unemployment rate is 5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
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 Long Beach.
Who are the top employers hiring Accountants in Long Beach?
Top employers hiring Accountants in or near Long Beach 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 Long Beach?
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 Long Beach?
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 Long Beach?
Bachelor's degree in accounting; 150 credit hours for CPA is the typical path. However, Long Beach'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 Long Beach are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($79,880) by Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.20× — 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

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Accountant Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$102KSan Diego, CA$94KSan Francisco, CA$124KFresno, CA$76KSacramento, CA$86KOakland, CA$112K

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