What is the salary and career path for a cpa?
CPA is the licensed tier of Accountants and Auditors (SOC 13-2011), so BLS reports it under that close-match code; the OEWS May 2025 median is $83,680 a year ($40.23 an hour), from $56,020 at the 10th percentile to $144,090 at the 90th, and licensed CPAs cluster in the upper half. BLS projects 4.6% growth for the code over 2024–2034, about as fast as average, with roughly 124,200 openings a year. Licensure requires 150 semester hours, passing all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam, and a state board's experience requirement.
- CPAs earn a national median $83,680/yr ($40.23/hr) (BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 13-2011); the top 10% clear $144,090.
- The CPA is a state license — 150 semester hours, the Uniform CPA Exam and supervised experience — reported under Accountants and Auditors (SOC 13-2011).
- BLS projects 4.6% growth for the code through 2034 — about average — with roughly 124,200 openings a year, sharpened by a shrinking CPA pipeline.
- Pay runs from a pre-license accountant near $56,020 to a CPA partner or director at the $144,090 top decile.
Career Path
How do you become a cpa?
Staff accountant (pre-license)
An accountant working toward the 150-hour and exam requirements starts near the $56,020 10th percentile.
CPA
A newly licensed CPA in audit or tax earns around the $83,680 accountants-and-auditors median.
Audit / tax manager (CPA)
Managing engagements and client relationships pushes pay toward the $109,810 75th percentile.
Partner / director (CPA)
A firm partner or corporate accounting director reaches the $144,090 90th percentile.
BLS Salary Data
Which state pays cpas the most in 2026?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 13-2011. National median: $83,680. Full salary guide →
Pay Comparison
How does cpa pay compare to related roles?
Head-to-head against the roles cpas most often weigh against. BLS OEWS May 2025 medians.
Takeaway: cpas rank 3 of 4 on median pay among the comparable roles above, with a projected +4.6% employment change 2024–34 (BLS Employment Projections). Pay position and projected demand together are what determine how quickly cpas clear offers across the GlobalCybers placement network.
Methodology & Sources
How this guide is sourced and reviewed
Wages (BLS): All median and percentile figures are BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 13-2011 (cpas) and the matching SOC codes for each comparison role. OEWS is sampled on a rolling 3-year basis and published ~10 months after collection, so treat it as a firm anchor rather than a spot rate.
Job growth: Projected 2024–34 employment change, and the average annual openings figure, are from the BLS Employment Projections program, by occupation. Openings are a per-year average over the projection decade, not a decade total.
Licensing & credentials:Requirements are drawn from the issuing state licensing boards and the certifying body behind each credential — not from third-party aggregators.
Demand signal:Any statement about how quickly this role clears offers reflects GlobalCybers placement request volume across the trailing 12 months — our own network data, offered as a directional real-world indicator alongside BLS, not a market-wide survey.
Credentials
What licences and certifications do cpas need?
The Certified Public Accountant license issued by a state board of accountancy — the core credential. See all state licences →
The four-section national exam administered by the AICPA and NASBA that gates licensure.
The 150 semester hours of college credit most states require before licensure.
Ongoing education required each renewal cycle to keep the license in good standing.
Tools & Software
What tools and software do cpas use on the job?
⚙️ Core Tools & Equipment
📊 BLS Employment Data, SOC 13-2011
Salary Levers
How do cpas earn above the $83,680 BLS median?
The CPA license itself
Licensure lifts pay from the $56,020 pre-license band toward and above the median and unlocks attest work.
Public-accounting specialization
High-demand audit, tax and advisory niches command premiums toward the upper percentiles.
Partner and director advancement
Making partner or heading a corporate accounting function pushes pay toward the $144,090 top decile.
This Route vs. College
Is becoming a cpa worth it vs. a 4-year degree?
The entry route into this role, set against a four-year degree. Same starting line, side by side.
Entry-level (10th percentile) and all-level median wages: BLS OEWS May 2025, SOC 13-2011. Student-debt figure: median federal borrower balance for bachelor's-degree completers. Starting-salary comparison is illustrative and varies by field and region.
FAQ
CPA Career, Frequently Asked Questions
CPA career research journey
Do your homework, then let the network do the rest.Get the job, then keep rising
FreeSet your intent, matching jobs come to you. No applying.
A roadmap to your next licence tier and higher pay band.
Once placed, we cover all certification, licence & career-guide fees.
Hiring cpas?
Get a verified shortlist of 3–5 qualified candidates in 48 hours
GlobalCybers verifies active state licenses, trade certifications, Intent and right-to-work status before any candidate reaches your portal. Flat $2,999/mo RPO (Recruitment Process Outsourcing), up to 3 concurrent roles, or a free trial (pay on hire). 90-day written guarantee.
Related · CPA
Everything for cpas in one place
Salary data, licensing, interview prep, and hiring, all cross-linked so you (and search engines) can move through the full cpa cluster.