CA’s in the USA are called Certified Public Accountants (CPA). A CPA is a professional accountant who has met the requirements set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. They are highly paid for dealing with tax preparation, financial statements, management consulting, forensic accounting, financial planning and many other classified tasks. The salary of CA in USA can be around $105,000 a year!
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in the United States combines accountants and auditors into one single category. Their job outlook is expected to be 6% between the years 2021 – 2031. This is faster than average and this is expected to create 81,800 additional jobs during the 10-year period.
This blog talks about the salary packages of CA’s as per their experience levels, the top-paying cities in the US and so much more!
Salary Of CA In USA Based On Experience
The average salary of a CA in USA can hugely depend on their experience level. You can check out their rough salary in the table below!
| Level | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
| Entry-Level | 0-2 years | $50,000 – $70,000 per year |
| Early-Level | 2-5 years | $70,000 – $95,000 per year |
| Mid-Level | 5-10 years | $95,000 – $110,000 per year |
| Experienced-Level | 10-15 years | $110,000 – $122,000 per year |
| Senior-Level | 15-20 years | $120,000 – $130,000 per year |
| Executive-Level | More than 20 years | $130,000+ per year |
Average Salary Of CA In the USA Based On Their Academic Qualifications
Experience is not the only factor which comes into play when the salary of CA in USA is concerned. Basic qualifications are also important and determine your starting salary. You can find out the average salary range offered on the basis of your degree:
- Certificate Or Diploma In Accounting Or Finance: Approximately $30,000 – $65,000 per year.
- Bachelor’s Degree In Accounting: $45,000 – $129,000 per year
- Master’s Degree In Accounting: $50,000 – $150,000 per year
- Doctorate In Accounting: $193,000 per year
Salary Of CA In USA Based On Certification
Yet again, salaries might also depend on the certification CAs hold in the USA. They have the ability to negotiate higher salaries based on their knowledge, skill set and expertise they have. You can read all about it in the table below:
| Certification | Average Salary Per Year |
| Certified Public Accountant | $80,000 – $90,000 |
| Certified Management Accountant | $95,000 – $100,000 |
| Certified Internal Auditor | $80,000 – $90,000 |
| Certified Informations Systems Auditor | $105,000 – $110,000 |
| Certified Fraud Examiner | $82,000 – $87,000 |
| Certified Financial Planner | $90,000 – $100,000 |
| Enrolled Agent | $75,000 – $80,000 |
| Financial Accountant | $63,000 |
| Tax Accountant | $65,000 |
| Staff Accountant | $55,000 |
Highest Paying Salary For CAs In The USA: State By State
The states that pay the highest salaries for Chartered Accountants in the USA are mostly on the East Coast, here are stats as of May 2023
- District of Columbia: $110,240
- New York: $105,790
- New Jersey: $97,950
- California: $92,840
- Massachusetts: $92,310
17 High-Paying Cities For CAs In The USA
The location also leads to a higher salary of CA in USA. While a lower location quotient reflects a lower number of individuals in the same profession. If a high-paying city also has a large population, it may definitely mean ample job opportunities in the future for a CA/CPA.
| Name Of The City | Average Salary Per Year |
| Miami, Florida | $73,571 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $78,166 |
| Atlanta, Georgia | $81,384 |
| Denver, Colorado | $81,390 |
| Austin, Texas | $83,282 |
| Dallas, Texas | $83,896 |
| Los Angeles, California | $86,027 |
| Trenton, New Jersey | $86,585 |
| Houston, Texas | $86,700 |
| Seattle, Washington | $90,880 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $92,074 |
| San Jose, California | $94,336 |
| Washington D.C | $95,353 |
| Midland, Texas | $98,058 |
| New York City, New York | $102,190 |
| San Francisco, California | $104,616 |
| Salinas, California | $120,050 |
Top 5 Firms Paying High Salaries For CAs In The USA
Accounting services in the USA have earned a revenue of $33 billion as per the newest stats. Here, in this section of our blog, we discuss the top firms which are paying their CAs the highest figures in the USA.
Deloitte
- Average Salary: $91,000 – $135,000 per year
Deloitte has an annual revenue of $59 billion. They have their headquarters in New York City and offer services such as audit and tax services, risk consulting and financial advisory services.
Pwc
- Average Salary: $94,000 – $152,000 per year
PricewaterhouseCoopers better known as PwC is number two when it comes to the largest tax services practice carried out in the USA. They hire around 328,000 specialists and offer services such as forensics, cyber security, data protection, risk management, technology transformation and more.
Ernst & Young
- Average Salary: $102,000 – $166,000 per year
EY has long been one of the top accounting firms in the United States. EY recently split its audit and consulting units into two separate companies. However, this does not take away the fact that Ernst & Young is the go-to company for asset management.
KPMG
- Average Salary: $100,000 – $139,000 per year
This is a New York accounting firm and has branches in more than 150 countries in the USA. It is known to help manage over 78% of all US public audits. They offer services such as those in cloud-based, record-to-report technologies to apply controls throughout accounting cycles.
McGladrey
- Average Salary: $84,000 – $140,000 per year
It is the fifth largest accounting firm outside of New York to make the cut. They carry out activities such as tax planning, consulting services, audits and financial statement preparation. Their top clients include non-profit agencies, government entities and financial institutions.
Salary Of CA In USA: Government Sector Jobs
Private firms are not the only companies in the USA where chartered accountants and their similar roles are concentrated. You can also aim for government-sector jobs such as:
| Jobs | Average Salary Per Year |
| US Department of Homeland Security | $98,896 |
| Enterprise Products | $90,648 |
| United States Department of Defence | $96,639 |
| US Department of Agriculture | $91,119 |
| Liberty Mutual Insurance | $90,742 |
Salary Of CA In USA Vs India
According to Payscale, an average CA salary in India is around Rs 6,99,728 per year whereas in the USA it starts from $35,000 per year. Both countries offer chartered accountants 5-6 figure numbers per year. However, it is vital that you know the basic differences in their salaries and levels.
CA Salary In India
| Profession | Average Salary |
| Accountant | Rs 125,000 – Rs 510,000 per year |
| Chartered Accountant | Rs 418,000 – Rs 2 million per year |
| Finance Manager | Rs 371,000 – Rs 2 million per year |
| Financial Analyst | Rs 222,000 – Rs 1 million per year |
| Senior Financial Analyst | Rs 321,000 – Rs 1 million per year |
| Senior Accountant | Rs 242,000 – Rs 775,000 per year |
| Account Manager | Rs 263,000 – Rs 1 million per year |
| Account Executive | Rs 157,000 – Rs 505,000 per year |
| Assistant Finance Manager | Rs 397,000 – Rs 1 million per year |
CA Salary In USA
| Profession | Average Salary |
| Tax Accountant | $66,632 per year |
| Accountant | $57,697 per year |
| Staff Accountant | $57,594 per year |
| Tax Associate | $66,771 per year |
| Tax Senior | $84,124 per year |
| Accounting Professor | $88,237 per year |
| Senior Financial Analyst | #80,775 per year |
| Forensic Accountant | $67,450 per year |
| Tax Preparer | $19.29 per hour |
FAQs
How much is the salary of CA in USA?
Their salary can be around $105,000 a year!
In which country CA is highly paid?
Australia followed by the US are countries where CAs are highly paid.
What are other similar career options that a CA can opt for?
You can work as a financial analyst, advisor, get into auditing are some similar careers to a Chartered Accountant.
Which industry mostly hires accountants?
The finance industry hires accountants.
What Colleges or Universities are best for pursuing accounts in the United States of America?
The University of Pennsylvania, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Illinois, the University of Southern California and others hire the most accountants.
How can I negotiate a better salary as a CA in the USA?
Research the typical salary range for your role and location. During the interview, state the average salary for that job and your expected salary if yours is much lower than the average.
Do CAs in USA receive bonuses or other incentives in addition to their base salary?
Yes, this depends from organisation to organisation. Some companies offer year-end bonuses and performance incentives.
Can Indian CA work in the USA?
As of now, there’s no agreement between the US and India for CPA certification reciprocity. So, Indian CPAs aiming to work in the US must apply for the credential separately and fulfill all licensure criteria.
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