Bookkeeper salary in Los Angeles, CA
Median pay, Los Angeles metro
$58,590/year
about $28.17 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $48,030 – $67,710
Half of bookkeepers in the Los Angeles metro area earn more than $58,590 a year and half earn less. That's 16% higher than the national median of $50,670, and ranks #7 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $40,660 | $19.55 |
| 25th | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| Median (50th) | $58,590 | $28.17 |
| 75th | $67,710 | $32.55 |
| 90th (top earners) | $79,500 | $38.22 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a bookkeeper job in the Los Angeles metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $48,030 ($23.09/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $48,030 to $67,710 ($23.09 to $32.55/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $67,710 ($32.55/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Ask which software you'd use (QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite). Experience with it can support a higher offer.
- Full-charge bookkeepers who handle everything through month-end close usually earn more than clerks.
- Part-time and contract bookkeeping is common, so compare by hourly rate.
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: Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks (SOC 43-3031). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.