Accountant salary in Los Angeles, CA
Median pay, Los Angeles metro
$94,360/year
about $45.37 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $74,060 – $122,290
Half of accountants in the Los Angeles metro area earn more than $94,360 a year and half earn less. That's 13% higher than the national median of $83,680, and ranks #9 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $60,310 | $29.00 |
| 25th | $74,060 | $35.61 |
| Median (50th) | $94,360 | $45.37 |
| 75th | $122,290 | $58.79 |
| 90th (top earners) | $154,630 | $74.34 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a accountant job in the Los Angeles metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $74,060 ($35.61/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $74,060 to $122,290 ($35.61 to $58.79/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $122,290 ($58.79/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- A CPA license usually raises pay noticeably, and some employers support the exam with time off or fees.
- Busy season can mean long hours from January to April. Ask how overtime is handled for salaried roles.
- Public accounting and corporate (industry) roles often pay differently for similar titles.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Los Angeles metro. Occupation: Accountants and Auditors (SOC 13-2011). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.