Accountant salary in San Jose, CA
Median pay, San Jose / Silicon Valley metro
$121,700/year
about $58.51 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $96,430 – $156,700
Half of accountants in the San Jose / Silicon Valley metro area earn more than $121,700 a year and half earn less. That's 45% higher than the national median of $83,680, and ranks #1 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $78,440 | $37.71 |
| 25th | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Median (50th) | $121,700 | $58.51 |
| 75th | $156,700 | $75.34 |
| 90th (top earners) | $196,890 | $94.66 |
*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 San Jose / Silicon Valley metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $96,430 ($46.36/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $96,430 to $156,700 ($46.36 to $75.34/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $156,700 ($75.34/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, San Jose / Silicon Valley metro. Occupation: Accountants and Auditors (SOC 13-2011). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.