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

Accountant Salary in Los Angeles: $102K Median

Accountants in Los Angeles, CA earn between $70K and $170K per year.

That's +28% above the US national median of $79,880 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Accountant salary in Los Angeles, CA is $102,246 per year — +28% above the US national median of $79,880. Salaries range from $70,400 (entry, 25th percentile) to $169,843 (90th percentile). Accountants in Los Angeles earned approximately $20,048 in 2025, representing 410.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$102,246
+410.0% YoY · $8,521/mo
Entry
$70,400
0–2 years
Experienced
$134,400
5+ years
Top 10%
$169,843
Senior/lead
Accountant Salary — Los Angeles vs Nearby
Los Angeles
$102K
San Diego
$94K
+8% vs Los Angeles
San Francisco
$124K
-17% vs Los Angeles
Fresno
$76K
+35% vs Los Angeles

Free ATS scan · Los Angeles employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Accountants in Los Angeles

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)

Los Angeles Job Market

Entertainment capital with growing tech sector ("Silicon Beach") and major aerospace industry.

Population
3979K
Cost of Living
173
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5.1%
Median Home
$950K

Top Industries in Los Angeles

EntertainmentAerospaceTechHealthcareTourism

Top Employers Hiring Accountants

Major employers active in Los Angeles 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 — Los Angeles

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$70,400$102,246$169,843
Monthly$5,867$8,521$14,154
Weekly$1,354$1,966$3,266
Hourly$34$49$82

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($79,880) adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Accountant Take-Home Pay in Los Angeles

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$74,604.531
Per month$6,217
Biweekly paycheck$2,869
Effective tax rate27.0%

Tax Breakdown on $102,246

Gross salary$102,246
Federal income tax−$14,196.12
California state tax−$5,623.53
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,821.819
Take-home (net)$74,604.531

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 — Los Angeles

Career-stage progression for Accountants in Los Angeles.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$64,768
2–3 yr$70,400
4–6 yr$102,400
7–10 yr$134,400
11–15 yr$158,592
15+ yr$152,122

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Los Angeles's 1.28× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+410.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$20,048
2026 median:$102,246
Change:+$82,198

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
$59,102
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 Los Angeles

Walk-away anchor: $91,291 (offers below this are below market for Los Angeles).

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 $134K–$170K for experienced roles, citing Los Angeles market data and your specific CPA/Advisory services expertise.

Accountant Salary FAQ — Los Angeles

What is the average Accountant salary in Los Angeles, CA?
The average Accountant salary in Los Angeles is $102,246 per year as of April 2026 — $8,521/month, $1,966/week, or about $49/hour. Salaries range from $70,400 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $169,843 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×).
Is $102,246 a good Accountant salary in Los Angeles?
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. Los Angeles's cost-of-living index is 173 (vs 100 nationally), giving $102,246 a real purchasing power of approximately $59,102 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 $102,246 in Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles specifically (median home price $950,000), a $102,246 salary supports a moderate lifestyle with careful budgeting.
Is $102,246 enough for a single person in Los Angeles?
A single adult in Los Angeles typically needs ~$77,850 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $102,246 salary is above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with reasonable budgeting.
Is $102,246 enough for a couple in Los Angeles?
A couple (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$124,560 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $102,246 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 $102,246 each ($204,492 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $102,246 enough for a family of 4 in Los Angeles?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$190,300 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $102,246 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 Los Angeles. Childcare costs in Los Angeles typically run $26K-$48K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Accountant in Los Angeles?
On a $102,246 Accountant salary in Los Angeles, CA, you take home approximately $74,604.531 per year ($6,217/month, $2,869 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $14,196.12, state $5,623.53, FICA $7,821.819. Effective tax rate: 27.0%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Accountants in Los Angeles earn compared to the US average?
Accountants in Los Angeles earn approximately 28% more than the US national median for this role ($79,880 nationally vs $102,246 in Los Angeles). However, Los Angeles's cost-of-living index of 173 means real purchasing power is approximately $59,102 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Accountant earn in Los Angeles?
Entry-level Accountants in Los Angeles typically start at around $70,400 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Accountants earn $134,400 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $169,843+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Accountant salaries in Los Angeles increase in 2026?
Yes — Accountant salaries in Los Angeles grew approximately 410.0% year-over-year, from $20,048 in 2025 to $102,246 in 2026 (+$82,198). This reflects the broader Finance sector's compensation trend, driven by CPA and Advisory services demand.
What's the job outlook for Accountants in Los Angeles?
Accountant employment projected to grow 6% through 2034. CPA shortage driving competitive salaries, especially in public accounting. Los Angeles's top industries include Entertainment, Aerospace, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 5.1% — 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 Los Angeles.
Who are the top employers hiring Accountants in Los Angeles?
Top employers hiring Accountants in or near Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles?
Bachelor's degree in accounting; 150 credit hours for CPA is the typical path. However, Los Angeles'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 Los Angeles are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($79,880) by Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.28× — 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 Los Angeles

Financial Analyst →

Accountant Salary in Other Cities

San Diego, CA$94KSan Francisco, CA$124KSeattle, WA$105KWashington, DC$104KBoston, MA$104KFresno, CA$76KSacramento, CA$86KLong Beach, CA$96K

Land a $102K+ Accountant Role in Los Angeles

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