Associate Cost Accountant Salary in the United States

How much does an Associate Cost Accountant make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Cost Accountant in the United States is $66,966 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $77,477
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $62,550 to $72,468
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $58,530

Key Factors That Influence Associate Cost Accountant Salaries

An Associate Cost Accountant'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Associate Cost Accountant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Associate Cost Accountant'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): $65,819
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $77,718
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $92,263
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $106,806
  • Expert (over 8 years): $104,515
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Associate Cost Accountant less than 1 year $65,819
Cost Accountant II 1-2 years $77,718
Cost Accountant III 2-4 years $92,263
Cost Accountant IV 5-8 years $106,806
Cost Accounting Supervisor over 8 years $104,515

Top Paying Cities for Associate Cost Accountant

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:

  • San Jose: $84,464
  • San Francisco: $83,539
  • Oakland: $81,778

Associate Cost Accountant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Associate Cost Accountant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Associate Cost Accountant positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate Cost Accountant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Associate Cost Accountant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $83,707 $40.0 25%
Financial Services $80,359 $39.0 20%
Energy & Utilities $77,010 $37.0 15%
Aerospace & Defense $73,662 $35.0 10%
Insurance $73,662 $35.0 10%

How Education impacts an Associate Cost Accountant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Associate Cost Accountant professionals enter the field with a Bachelor's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Associate Cost Accountant with a Bachelor's is between $65,943 and $69,754.

Associate Cost Accountant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Associate Cost Accountant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.6%
High School 7.1%
Associate's Degree 6.5%
Bachelor's Degree 70%
Master's Degree or MBA 15.8%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0%

Associate Cost Accountant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Associate Cost Accountant'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$62,550
Average $66,966/year
$72,468
$5,213
Average $5,580/month
$6,039
$1,203
Average $1,288/week
$1,394
$30
Average $32/hour
$35
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $72,468 $6,039 $1,394 $35
Average $66,966 $5,580 $1,288 $32
25th Percentile $62,550 $5,213 $1,203 $30

Most common benefits for Associate Cost Accountant

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Associate Cost Accountant

Here are companies hiring for Associate Cost Accountant and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Associate Cost Accountant Job

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

  • MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    Find your next job here. Will train the right candidate. Average salaries from $12 - $22/Hr, full time and part time shifts available now. Hiring for: Food... more

    4 Days Ago

  • MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    Find your next job here. Will train the right candidate. Average salaries from $12 - $22/Hr, full time and part time shifts available now. Hiring for: Groc... more

    4 Days Ago

  • MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    Find your next job here. Will train the right candidate. Average salaries from $12 - $22/Hr, full time and part time shifts available now. Hiring for: Bake... more

    8 Days Ago

  • MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    Find your next job here. Will train the right candidate. Average salaries from $20 - $37/Hr, full time and part time shifts available now. Hiring for: Care... more

    8 Days Ago

  • MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    Find your next job here. Will train the right candidate. Average salaries from $20 - $37/Hr, full time and part time shifts available now. Hiring for: Surg... more

    8 Days Ago

  • MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    Find your next job here. Will train the right candidate. Average salaries from $12 - $22/Hr, full time and part time shifts available now. Hiring for: Part... more

    8 Days Ago

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FAQ about Associate Cost Accountant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Associate Cost Accountant?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Associate Cost Accountant roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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