Bookkeeper salary in Philadelphia, PA
Median pay, Philadelphia metro
$52,710/year
about $25.34 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $46,250 – $62,560
Half of bookkeepers in the Philadelphia metro area earn more than $52,710 a year and half earn less. That's 4% higher than the national median of $50,670, and ranks #15 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $39,220 | $18.86 |
| 25th | $46,250 | $22.24 |
| Median (50th) | $52,710 | $25.34 |
| 75th | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| 90th (top earners) | $75,250 | $36.18 |
*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 Philadelphia metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $46,250 ($22.24/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $46,250 to $62,560 ($22.24 to $30.08/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $62,560 ($30.08/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, Philadelphia metro. Occupation: Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks (SOC 43-3031). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.