How Much Does a Head of Accounting Make in 2025?
The head of accounting develops and leads an organization's accounting strategy, policies, and operations, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and standards such as GAAP and IFRS. They advise top management on regulatory changes, design and oversee accounting systems and processes, and build departmental expertise through training and strategic leadership.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn't have a specific projection of job growth for head of accounting, but it can be categorized with accountants and auditors in general. From 2024 to 2034, employment for this category is expected to increase by 5%, with 124,200 job openings each year.
According to Salary.com, the average annual salary for a head of accounting in 2025 is $291,450. This guide presents an overview of the salary for head of accounting, including salary data in every state and city of the US, key factors that influence it, and proven tips to increase earnings.
What is the Salary for Head of Accounting?
The average head of accounting salary in the United States is $291,450 per year, as of November 7, 2025. For the hourly wage, the head of accounting salary has an average salary of $140 per hour, with rates ranging from $127 to $161 per hour.
2025 Head of Accounting Average Salary: $291,450 per year ($140 per hour)
Meanwhile, the average weekly and monthly salaries for the head of accounting are $5,605 and $24,288, respectively. However, keep in mind that salaries can be influenced by the work environment and the focus on employee health initiatives.
What is the Pay Range for Head of Accounting?
Salary.com reveals that the salary range for head of accounting starts at $239,371 and can reach as high as $376,083, with most earnings between $264,190 to $335,750.
However, it's important to note that this salary range for head of accounting is heavily affected by key factors including education, level of experience, geographic location, and occupation demand.
Head of Accounting Salary Range: $239,371 to $376,083 per year ($115 to $181 per hour)
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $115 | $4,603 | $19,948 | $239,371 |
| 25th Percentile | $127 | $5,081 | $22,016 | $264,190 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $140 | $5,605 | $24,288 | $291,450 |
| 75th Percentile | $161 | $6,457 | $27,979 | $335,750 |
| 90th Percentile | $181 | $7,232 | $31,340 | $376,083 |
Head of Accounting Salary Factors
As mentioned above, there are several factors that can influence how much the head of accounting can earn. These include experience, location, and skills. Let's explore each of these in detail.
Years of Experience
The average salary for a head of accounting with years of experience ranges from $274,495 per year for entry-level head of accounting to $291,250 per year for specialists having 8+ years of experience.
| Levels | Years of Experience | Average Salary per year |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Head of Accounting | <1 | $274,495 |
| Intermediate Level Head of Accounting | 1-2 | $276,947 |
| Senior Level Head of Accounting | 2-4 | $280,216 |
| Specialist Level Head of Accounting | 5-8 | $285,120 |
| Expert Level Head of Accounting | 8+ | $291,250 |
Place of Work
The BLS doesn't provide specific salary data for the head of accounting, but their role overlaps with accountants and auditors, who prepare and examine financial records, making this the closest category to estimate their salaries.
| Place of work | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Finance and insurance | $87,980 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | $86,010 |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | $81,120 |
| Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll service | $80,510 |
Skill Set
Head of accounting with certain in-demand skills can increase their salaries. For instance, the Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report shows that a head of accounting with initial public offering (IPO) skills can earn up to 8.76% more than those without.
On the other hand, a head of accounting having accounting software and general ledger skills is more likely to land a job with 10.80% and 10.70% demand, respectively.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Public Offering (IPO) | 10.60% | +8.76% |
| Revenue Recognition | 10.30% | +8.50% |
| Resource Planning | 10.50% | +7.88% |
| Accounting Software | 10.80% | +7.27% |
| Financial Modeling | 10.20% | +7.14% |
| Operational Policy Development | 10.30% | +7.08% |
Head of Accounting Salary by City and State
A city or state must ensure compliance with the state minimum wage; therefore, the choice of location can also significantly impact the earning potential for this job title in the US. Those who will pursue this job role can use this information to identify the most strategic locations for both living and working.
Highest Paying States for Head of Accounting
Based on the Salary.com data, the District of Columbia offers the highest average annual salary for head of accounting in the United States, at $322,700.
- District of Columbia: $322,700 per year (or $155 per hour)
- California: $321,470 per year (or $155 per hour)
- Washington: $316,020 per year (or $152 per hour)
- New Jersey: $315,910 per year (or $152 per hour)
- Alaska: $315,500 per year (or $152 per hour)
Head of Accounting Salary by State
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $315,500 |
| Alabama | $267,760 |
| Arkansas | $263,300 |
| Arizona | $283,990 |
| California | $321,470 |
| Colorado | $297,370 |
| Connecticut | $311,480 |
| District of Columbia | $322,700 |
| Delaware | $295,160 |
| Florida | $275,770 |
| Georgia | $281,110 |
| Hawaii | $304,630 |
| Iowa | $278,920 |
| Idaho | $272,070 |
| Illinois | $297,080 |
| Indiana | $279,770 |
| Kansas | $277,520 |
| Kentucky | $274,260 |
| Louisiana | $277,120 |
| Massachusetts | $317,190 |
| Maryland | $300,520 |
| Maine | $284,170 |
| Michigan | $287,020 |
| Minnesota | $298,250 |
| Missouri | $276,910 |
| Mississippi | $259,920 |
| Montana | $275,160 |
| North Carolina | $276,970 |
| North Dakota | $287,900 |
| Nebraska | $274,580 |
| New Hampshire | $294,640 |
| New Jersey | $315,910 |
| New Mexico | $269,950 |
| Nevada | $288,450 |
| New York | $309,850 |
| Ohio | $283,790 |
| Oklahoma | $269,480 |
| Oregon | $295,970 |
| Pennsylvania | $290,140 |
| Rhode Island | $302,180 |
| South Carolina | $273,090 |
| South Dakota | $264,870 |
| Tennessee | $272,370 |
| Texas | $284,290 |
| Utah | $279,100 |
| Vermont | $286,060 |
| Virginia | $293,500 |
| Washington | $316,020 |
| Wisconsin | $286,700 |
| West Virginia | $262,460 |
| Wyoming | $279,510 |
Highest Paying Cities for Head of Accountings
Below are the top 5 highest-paying cities for head of accounting, according to the Salary.com data. The city of San Jose, California, leads the list with head of accounting salaries reaching up to $367,610 per year or $177 per hour.
- San Jose, California: $367,610 per year (or $177 per hour)
- San Francisco, California: $364,000 per year ($175 per hour)
- Oakland, California: $355,920 per year ($171 per hour)
- New York, New York: $337,770 per year ($162 per hour)
- Queens Village, New York: $335,580 per year ($161 per hour)
- Paramus, New Jersey: $333,250 per year ($160 per hour)
Ways to Increase Your Salary as a Head of Accounting
The head of accounting has several opportunities to increase their salary by gaining more experience, improving in-demand skills, and exploring growth within the role.
Gain relevant licenses and certifications: BLS states that accountants who gain relevant licenses and certifications can significantly increase their salary by validating their expertise across multiple accounting disciplines, making them more competitive for executive and high-level financial management roles. These credentials not only demonstrate advanced technical proficiency but also open pathways to senior positions like head of accounting, where compensation levels are substantially higher.
- Acquire more related experience: Experience can significantly increase your salary as a Head of Accounting because each stage of professional growth-from entry-level to expert-brings higher earning potential, with average salaries rising from $274,495 to $291,250 per year. As you gain years of experience, your ability to lead complex financial operations, manage teams, and make strategic decisions enhances your value to organizations, directly contributing to higher compensation.
- Move to a state or city with higher pay: Areas with higher costs of living and greater demand for financial leadership, such as San Jose and San Francisco, offer substantially higher average salaries, reaching up to $367,610 per year. Major financial and business hubs like New York and New Jersey also provide competitive pay, reflecting the premium placed on experienced accounting professionals in these economic centers.
- Know your worth: Negotiating your pay by researching market rates for your current position and experience can increase your salary. As of this writing, the head of accounting's salary range is between $239,371 to $376,083 per year.
Average National Salaries by Source
As of November 7, 2025, data from five major salary-reporting websites indicate that the national average salary of a head of accounting in the US is $179,447.2 (unweighted)
SALARY.COM AVG. SALARY
$291,450/year
INDEED.COM AVG. SALARY
$149,407/year
GLASSDOOR AVG. SALARY
$204,000/year
PAYSCALE AVG. SALARY
$118,034/year
ZIPRECRUITER AVG. SALARY
$134,345/year
