Salary AI Book a Demo

Accountant and Auditor Salary in California

How much does an Accountant and Auditor make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Accountant and Auditor in California is $86,588 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.

However, an Accountant and Auditor's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $101,008
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $78,347 to $94,136
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,843
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Accountant and Auditor Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Accountant and Auditor Salaries

An Accountant and Auditor's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Accountant and Auditor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Accountant and Auditor's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $73,437
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $85,016
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $97,010
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $120,475
  • Expert (over 8 years): $151,547
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Internal Auditor I less than 1 year $73,437
Accountant and Auditor 1-2 years $85,016
Internal Auditor III 2-4 years $97,010
Internal Auditor IV 5-8 years $120,475
Internal Auditor V over 8 years $151,547

How Do Accountant and Auditor Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Accountant and Auditors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $86,918.
  • California: $86,588.
  • Massachusetts: $85,434.

Top Paying Cities for Accountant and Auditor

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $86,737
  • West Hollywood: $86,674
  • Dodgertown: $86,736

Accountant and Auditor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Accountant and Auditor roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Accountant and Auditor positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Accountant and Auditor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Accountant and Auditor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense $99,576 $48.0 15%
Biotechnology $99,576 $48.0 15%
Business Services $99,576 $48.0 15%
Chemicals $99,576 $48.0 15%
Construction $99,576 $48.0 15%

Accountant and Auditor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Accountant and Auditor's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$78,347
Average $86,588/year
$94,136
$6,529
Average $7,216/month
$7,845
$1,507
Average $1,665/week
$1,810
$38
Average $42/hour
$45
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $94,136 $7,845 $1,810 $45
Average $86,588 $7,216 $1,665 $42
25th Percentile $78,347 $6,529 $1,507 $38

Find Your Next Accountant and Auditor Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Accountant and Auditor job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Plains | CRESTWOOD, TX

    Staff Auditor

    Plains | CRESTWOOD, TX

    Plains is seeking a Staff Auditor to join our Internal Audit team supporting our midstream energy infrastructure operations. In this role, you will perform... more

    1 Day Ago

  • Nestl Purina | SAINT LOUIS, MO

    Operational Auditor

    Nestl Purina | SAINT LOUIS, MO

    Nestlé Purina PetCare is seeking an Operational Auditor to strengthen controls and efficiency across our manufacturing operations. In this role, you will p... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Edward Jones | SAINT LOUIS, MO

    Branch Auditor

    Edward Jones | SAINT LOUIS, MO

    Edward Jones is seeking a Branch Auditor to review operational, regulatory, and risk controls across branch offices. In this role, you will conduct on-site... more

    4 Days Ago

  • FM | FOREST HILLS, TN

    Senior Internal Auditor IV

    FM | FOREST HILLS, TN

    FM seeks an experienced Internal Auditor IV to lead complex risk-based audits across financial, operational, and compliance areas. You will design audit pl... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Cox Automotive | NORENE, TN

    Automotive Estimator Auditor Specialist

    Cox Automotive | NORENE, TN

    Cox Automotive seeks an Automotive Estimator/Auditor II Specialist to evaluate vehicle condition, repair estimates, and reconditioning costs across our rem... more

    4 Days Ago

  • CF Industries | LINCOLNSHIRE WOODS, IL

    Environmental Health and Safety Auditor

    CF Industries | LINCOLNSHIRE WOODS, IL

    CF Industries is seeking an EHS Auditor to lead environmental, health, and safety audits across our technology and software operations. In this role, you w... more

    4 Days Ago

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst