Accounting45% remote-eligible+3% YoY growth

Director of Accounting Salary
by City (2026)

Lead accounting department, manage controllers and accounting staff. National median: $168K/year. See how your city compares.

National median

$168K

Top 10% earn

$270K

Entry level

$130K

Salary growth

+3%/yr

Director of Accounting salary by city

Sorted by median salary

City	Entry	Median	Senior	COL	Tax
San Francisco, CA	$195K	$252K	$323K	224	9.3%
San Jose, CA	$189K	$244K	$312K	210	9.3%
Jersey City, NJ	$185K	$239K	$305K	162	10.75%
New York City, NY	$184K	$237K	$304K	187	6.85%
Cambridge, MA	$183K	$236K	$302K	185	5%
Pearl City, HI	$183K	$236K	$302K	185	11%
Oakland, CA	$179K	$232K	$297K	185	9.3%
Washington, DC	$179K	$232K	$297K	152	8.5%
Bellevue, WA	$177K	$228K	$292K	175	None ✓
Newark, NJ	$176K	$227K	$290K	155	10.75%
Irvine, CA	$175K	$226K	$289K	172	9.3%
Boston, MA	$172K	$222K	$284K	162	5%
Yonkers, NY	$171K	$220K	$282K	165	6.85%
Bethesda, MD	$171K	$220K	$282K	165	5.75%
Los Angeles, CA	$169K	$218K	$280K	163	9.3%
Kirkland, WA	$169K	$218K	$279K	162	None ✓
Arlington, VA	$169K	$218K	$280K	148	5.75%
Seattle, WA	$166K	$215K	$275K	150	None ✓
Stamford, CT	$166K	$215K	$275K	158	6.99%
Hilo, HI	$165K	$213K	$272K	155	11%
San Diego, CA	$163K	$210K	$269K	148	9.3%
Santa Ana, CA	$162K	$209K	$267K	150	9.3%
Anaheim, CA	$161K	$207K	$266K	148	9.3%
Rockville, MD	$161K	$207K	$266K	148	5.75%
Long Beach, CA	$159K	$205K	$262K	155	9.3%
Alexandria, VA	$159K	$205K	$263K	145	5.75%
Elizabeth, NJ	$159K	$205K	$263K	145	10.75%
Chicago, IL	$156K	$202K	$258K	107	4.95%
Paterson, NJ	$156K	$201K	$258K	140	10.75%
Chula Vista, CA	$155K	$200K	$256K	138	9.3%
Edison, NJ	$155K	$200K	$256K	138	10.75%
Fairbanks, AK	$155K	$200K	$256K	138	None ✓
Sacramento, CA	$153K	$198K	$254K	128	9.3%
Miami, FL	$153K	$198K	$254K	123	None ✓
Scottsdale, AZ	$150K	$193K	$247K	118	2.5%
Denver, CO	$150K	$193K	$247K	118	4.55%
Worcester, MA	$150K	$193K	$247K	120	5%
Philadelphia, PA	$150K	$193K	$247K	110	3.07%
Portland, OR	$150K	$193K	$247K	130	9.9%
Baltimore, MD	$150K	$193K	$247K	115	5.75%
Hartford, CT	$150K	$193K	$247K	118	6.99%
Honolulu, HI	$150K	$193K	$247K	192	11%
Dallas, TX	$148K	$192K	$245K	96	None ✓
Plano, TX	$146K	$188K	$241K	105	None ✓
Atlanta, GA	$146K	$188K	$241K	99	5.75%
Minneapolis, MN	$146K	$188K	$241K	106	6.8%
New Haven, CT	$145K	$187K	$240K	122	6.99%
Nashua, NH	$144K	$186K	$238K	120	None ✓
Austin, TX	$143K	$185K	$237K	110	None ✓
Fort Lauderdale, FL	$143K	$185K	$237K	118	None ✓
Tacoma, WA	$143K	$185K	$237K	128	None ✓
Charlotte, NC	$143K	$185K	$237K	100	4.75%
Anchorage, AK	$143K	$185K	$237K	128	None ✓
Frisco, TX	$143K	$184K	$236K	118	None ✓
Riverside, CA	$143K	$184K	$236K	118	9.3%
Naperville, IL	$143K	$184K	$236K	118	4.95%
Vancouver, WA	$143K	$184K	$236K	118	None ✓
Lowell, MA	$143K	$184K	$236K	118	5%
Gresham, OR	$143K	$184K	$236K	118	9.9%
Bridgeport, CT	$143K	$184K	$236K	118	6.99%
Manchester, NH	$143K	$184K	$236K	118	None ✓
Burlington, VT	$143K	$184K	$236K	118	6.6%
Providence, RI	$143K	$184K	$236K	118	5.99%
Hialeah, FL	$141K	$182K	$233K	115	None ✓
Hollywood, FL	$141K	$182K	$233K	115	None ✓
Lakewood, CO	$141K	$182K	$233K	115	4.55%
Ann Arbor, MI	$141K	$182K	$233K	115	4.25%
Frederick, MD	$141K	$182K	$233K	115	5.75%
Portland, ME	$141K	$182K	$233K	115	7.15%
Concord, NH	$141K	$182K	$233K	115	None ✓
Warwick, RI	$141K	$182K	$233K	115	5.99%
Irving, TX	$140K	$181K	$232K	97	None ✓
McKinney, TX	$140K	$181K	$232K	108	None ✓
Aurora, CO	$140K	$181K	$232K	112	4.55%
St. Paul, MN	$140K	$181K	$232K	104	6.8%
Salt Lake City, UT	$140K	$181K	$232K	105	4.85%
Pembroke Pines, FL	$139K	$180K	$230K	112	None ✓
Fort Collins, CO	$139K	$180K	$230K	112	4.55%
Cary, NC	$139K	$180K	$230K	112	4.75%
Houston, TX	$138K	$178K	$228K	91	None ✓
Eugene, OR	$138K	$178K	$228K	110	9.9%
Round Rock, TX	$137K	$177K	$226K	108	None ✓
Gilbert, AZ	$137K	$177K	$226K	108	2.5%
Tempe, AZ	$137K	$177K	$226K	108	2.5%
Thornton, CO	$137K	$177K	$226K	108	4.55%
Boise, ID	$137K	$177K	$226K	108	5.8%
Wilmington, DE	$137K	$177K	$226K	108	6.6%
Tampa, FL	$137K	$176K	$226K	102	None ✓
Phoenix, AZ	$137K	$176K	$226K	100	2.5%
Chandler, AZ	$137K	$176K	$226K	105	2.5%
Raleigh, NC	$137K	$176K	$226K	102	4.75%
Durham, NC	$137K	$176K	$226K	100	4.75%
Nashville, TN	$137K	$176K	$226K	102	None ✓
Stockton, CA	$135K	$174K	$223K	105	9.3%
Springfield, MA	$135K	$174K	$223K	105	5%
Salem, OR	$135K	$174K	$223K	105	9.9%
Henderson, NV	$135K	$174K	$223K	105	None ✓
Meridian, ID	$135K	$174K	$223K	105	5.8%
Carrollton, TX	$133K	$172K	$220K	102	None ✓
Missoula, MT	$133K	$172K	$220K	102	6.75%
Fort Worth, TX	$133K	$171K	$219K	93	None ✓
Denton, TX	$132K	$171K	$218K	100	None ✓
San Bernardino, CA	$132K	$171K	$218K	100	9.3%
Orlando, FL	$133K	$171K	$219K	100	None ✓
Cape Coral, FL	$132K	$171K	$218K	100	None ✓
Peoria, AZ	$132K	$171K	$218K	100	2.5%
Richmond, VA	$133K	$171K	$219K	98	5.75%
Rochester, MN	$132K	$171K	$218K	100	6.8%
Provo, UT	$133K	$171K	$219K	100	4.85%
West Jordan, UT	$132K	$171K	$218K	100	4.85%
Overland Park, KS	$132K	$171K	$218K	100	5.7%
Dover, DE	$132K	$171K	$218K	100	6.6%
Albany, NY	$131K	$169K	$216K	98	6.85%
Port St. Lucie, FL	$131K	$169K	$216K	98	None ✓
Chesapeake, VA	$131K	$169K	$216K	98	5.75%
North Las Vegas, NV	$131K	$169K	$216K	98	None ✓
West Valley City, UT	$131K	$169K	$216K	98	4.85%
Orem, UT	$131K	$169K	$216K	98	4.85%
Nampa, ID	$131K	$169K	$216K	98	5.8%
Billings, MT	$131K	$169K	$216K	98	6.75%
Lewiston, ME	$131K	$169K	$216K	98	7.15%
Arlington, TX	$130K	$168K	$215K	94	None ✓
Garland, TX	$130K	$168K	$215K	91	None ✓
St. Petersburg, FL	$130K	$168K	$215K	105	None ✓
Mesa, AZ	$130K	$168K	$215K	98	2.5%
Columbus, OH	$130K	$168K	$215K	90	3.99%
Cincinnati, OH	$130K	$168K	$215K	88	3.99%
Pittsburgh, PA	$130K	$168K	$215K	90	3.07%
Las Vegas, NV	$130K	$168K	$215K	102	None ✓
Reno, NV	$130K	$168K	$215K	108	None ✓
Des Moines, IA	$130K	$168K	$215K	88	4.82%
Bakersfield, CA	$129K	$167K	$213K	95	9.3%
Aurora, IL	$129K	$167K	$213K	95	4.95%
Glendale, AZ	$129K	$167K	$213K	95	2.5%
Norfolk, VA	$129K	$167K	$213K	95	5.75%
Newport News, VA	$129K	$167K	$213K	95	5.75%
Allentown, PA	$129K	$167K	$213K	95	3.07%
North Charleston, SC	$129K	$167K	$213K	95	6.5%
Jacksonville, FL	$127K	$165K	$211K	93	None ✓
Virginia Beach, VA	$127K	$165K	$211K	98	5.75%
Kansas City, MO	$127K	$165K	$211K	90	5.3%
St. Louis, MO	$127K	$165K	$211K	86	5.3%
Madison, WI	$127K	$165K	$211K	102	5.3%
Charleston, SC	$127K	$165K	$211K	105	6.5%
Omaha, NE	$127K	$165K	$211K	88	5.84%
Midland, TX	$127K	$164K	$210K	92	None ✓
Athens, GA	$127K	$164K	$210K	92	5.75%
Duluth, MN	$127K	$164K	$210K	92	6.8%
Greenville, SC	$127K	$164K	$210K	92	6.5%
Cheyenne, WY	$127K	$164K	$210K	92	None ✓
Grand Prairie, TX	$126K	$163K	$209K	90	None ✓
Tallahassee, FL	$126K	$163K	$209K	90	None ✓
Joliet, IL	$126K	$163K	$209K	90	4.95%
Sterling Heights, MI	$126K	$163K	$209K	90	4.25%
Kenosha, WI	$126K	$163K	$209K	90	5.3%
Fargo, ND	$126K	$163K	$209K	90	2.5%
Pasadena, TX	$125K	$161K	$207K	88	None ✓
Mesquite, TX	$125K	$161K	$207K	88	None ✓
Syracuse, NY	$125K	$161K	$207K	88	6.85%
Gainesville, FL	$125K	$161K	$207K	88	None ✓
Colorado Springs, CO	$125K	$161K	$206K	102	4.55%
Greensboro, NC	$125K	$161K	$207K	88	4.75%
Chattanooga, TN	$125K	$161K	$207K	88	None ✓
Detroit, MI	$125K	$161K	$206K	82	4.25%
Indianapolis, IN	$125K	$161K	$206K	88	3.23%
Milwaukee, WI	$125K	$161K	$206K	90	5.3%
Green Bay, WI	$125K	$161K	$207K	88	5.3%
Lexington, KY	$125K	$161K	$207K	88	5%
Great Falls, MT	$125K	$161K	$207K	88	6.75%
Casper, WY	$125K	$161K	$207K	88	None ✓
Bismarck, ND	$125K	$161K	$207K	88	2.5%
Sioux Falls, SD	$125K	$161K	$207K	88	None ✓
Rapid City, SD	$125K	$161K	$207K	88	None ✓
San Antonio, TX	$124K	$160K	$204K	87	None ✓
Fresno, CA	$124K	$160K	$204K	102	9.3%
Buffalo, NY	$124K	$160K	$204K	88	6.85%
Rochester, NY	$124K	$160K	$204K	90	6.85%
Louisville, KY	$124K	$160K	$204K	85	5%
Huntsville, AL	$124K	$160K	$204K	88	5%
Beaumont, TX	$123K	$159K	$204K	85	None ✓
Odessa, TX	$123K	$159K	$204K	85	None ✓
Tyler, TX	$123K	$159K	$204K	85	None ✓
Winston-Salem, NC	$123K	$159K	$204K	85	4.75%
Warren, MI	$123K	$159K	$204K	85	4.25%
Lansing, MI	$123K	$159K	$204K	85	4.25%
Independence, MO	$123K	$159K	$204K	85	5.3%
Lafayette, LA	$123K	$159K	$204K	85	6%
Cedar Rapids, IA	$123K	$159K	$204K	85	4.82%
Kansas City, KS	$123K	$159K	$204K	85	5.7%
Lincoln, NE	$123K	$159K	$204K	85	5.84%
Rio Rancho, NM	$123K	$159K	$204K	85	5.9%
Fayetteville, AR	$123K	$159K	$204K	85	4.9%
Amarillo, TX	$121K	$157K	$201K	82	None ✓
Waco, TX	$121K	$157K	$201K	82	None ✓
Pueblo, CO	$121K	$157K	$201K	82	4.55%
Columbus, GA	$121K	$157K	$201K	82	5.75%
Augusta, GA	$121K	$157K	$201K	82	5.75%
Fayetteville, NC	$121K	$157K	$201K	82	4.75%
Clarksville, TN	$121K	$157K	$201K	82	None ✓
South Bend, IN	$121K	$157K	$201K	82	3.23%
Mobile, AL	$121K	$157K	$201K	82	5%
Broken Arrow, OK	$121K	$157K	$201K	82	4.75%
Davenport, IA	$121K	$157K	$201K	82	4.82%
Killeen, TX	$120K	$155K	$199K	80	None ✓
Rockford, IL	$120K	$155K	$199K	80	4.95%
Macon, GA	$120K	$155K	$199K	80	5.75%
Cleveland, OH	$120K	$155K	$198K	82	3.99%
Akron, OH	$120K	$155K	$199K	80	3.99%
Dayton, OH	$120K	$155K	$199K	80	3.99%
Erie, PA	$120K	$155K	$199K	80	3.07%
Springfield, MO	$120K	$155K	$199K	80	5.3%
Fort Wayne, IN	$120K	$155K	$199K	80	3.23%
Bowling Green, KY	$120K	$155K	$199K	80	5%
Birmingham, AL	$120K	$155K	$198K	82	5%
Montgomery, AL	$120K	$155K	$199K	80	5%
Norman, OK	$120K	$155K	$199K	80	4.75%
New Orleans, LA	$120K	$155K	$198K	92	6%
Las Cruces, NM	$120K	$155K	$199K	80	5.9%
Gulfport, MS	$120K	$155K	$199K	80	5%
Abilene, TX	$119K	$154K	$197K	78	None ✓
Toledo, OH	$119K	$154K	$197K	78	3.99%
Evansville, IN	$119K	$154K	$197K	78	3.23%
Shreveport, LA	$119K	$154K	$197K	78	6%
Jackson, MS	$119K	$154K	$197K	78	5%
Charleston, WV	$119K	$154K	$197K	78	6.5%
Brownsville, TX	$117K	$151K	$194K	75	None ✓
Spokane, WA	$117K	$151K	$194K	95	None ✓
Memphis, TN	$117K	$151K	$194K	82	None ✓
Grand Rapids, MI	$117K	$151K	$194K	90	4.25%
Columbia, SC	$117K	$151K	$194K	88	6.5%
Oklahoma City, OK	$117K	$151K	$194K	82	4.75%
Baton Rouge, LA	$117K	$151K	$194K	88	6%
Fort Smith, AR	$117K	$151K	$194K	75	4.9%
Huntington, WV	$117K	$151K	$194K	75	6.5%
Corpus Christi, TX	$114K	$148K	$189K	84	None ✓
Tucson, AZ	$114K	$148K	$189K	90	2.5%
Savannah, GA	$114K	$148K	$189K	92	5.75%
Knoxville, TN	$114K	$148K	$189K	85	None ✓
Tulsa, OK	$114K	$148K	$189K	80	4.75%
Albuquerque, NM	$114K	$148K	$189K	88	5.9%
Wichita, KS	$112K	$144K	$185K	82	5.7%
El Paso, TX	$111K	$143K	$183K	82	None ✓
Little Rock, AR	$111K	$143K	$183K	82	4.9%
Lubbock, TX	$107K	$138K	$176K	78	None ✓
Laredo, TX	$101K	$131K	$168K	76	None ✓

COL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?

A $168K Director of Accounting salary in Houston (COL 91, no tax) has significantly more purchasing power than the same salary in San Francisco (COL 224, 9.3% state tax). Use our calculator to see the real numbers.

Try COL Calculator →

Director of Accounting Salary Guide (2026)

The national median salary for a Director of Accounting is $168,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $130,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $215,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of Director of Accountings nationally earn $270,000+.

Education and requirements

Bachelor's in Accounting; CPA; 10+ years. This role is 45% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.

Salary growth outlook

Director of Accounting compensation is growing at 3% annually, near the national average wage growth rate.

Director of Accounting salary FAQ

How much does a Director of Accounting make?

The median Director of Accounting salary in the US is $168,000 per year — about $81/hour. Most earn between $130,000 (25th percentile) and $215,000 (75th percentile).

What is the starting salary for a Director of Accounting?

Entry-level Director of Accounting positions typically start around $130,000 per year. Pay rises with experience, specialization, and location.

How much do the highest-paid Director of Accountings earn?

The top 10% of Director of Accountings earn $270,000 or more per year — usually senior, lead, or specialized professionals in high-cost or high-demand markets.

Which city pays Director of Accountings the most?

San Francisco has the highest median Director of Accounting salary at $252K among the cities we track. But high-cost metros like San Francisco and New York often have lower real purchasing power once cost of living and taxes are factored in.

Are Director of Accounting salaries going up?

Yes — Director of Accounting pay is growing about 3% year over year, near the US average wage-growth rate.

Director of Accounting Salaryby City (2026)