Quick answer: Accountants and auditors in the US earned a median salary of $83,680 in May 2025, with the top 10% earning more than $144,090. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 5% growth from 2025 to 2035 and about 115,300 openings every year, many from retirements. The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licence is issued by each state’s Board of Accountancy and requires passing a national exam. All states require 150 semester hours of college coursework, 30 more than a typical 4-year degree. Any accountant who files reports with the SEC must be a licensed CPA.
Accounting is one of the most stable professional careers in the world: every company, government and non-profit needs it, and the US faces a well-publicised shortage of accountants as experienced professionals retire. For international accountants, from India’s CA and ACCA holders to graduates in the Philippines and Africa, the US CPA has become a popular credential because it opens doors to US-linked roles in global firms, shared service centres and offshore delivery hubs.
US Accounting Careers at a Glance
| Median pay (May 2025) | $83,680 per year / $40.23 per hour |
| Lowest 10% / highest 10% | Under $56,020 / over $144,090 |
| Jobs (2025) | 1,595,200 |
| Projected jobs (2035) | 1,674,600 (+79,400) |
| Growth (2025–35) | 5%, faster than the 3% average |
| Openings per year | About 115,300 |
| CPA licence | Issued by state Boards of Accountancy |
Pay by Industry (US, May 2025)
| Industry | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Finance and insurance | $93,290 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | $91,940 |
| Manufacturing | $87,790 |
| Government | $83,350 |
| Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services | $81,490 |
CPAs, managers and specialists in areas such as tax, audit, forensic accounting and financial reporting typically earn well above the overall median as they progress.
The CPA Requirements Explained
Education: the 150-hour rule
Every state requires 150 semester hours of college coursework for licensure. That is 30 hours more than a typical 4-year bachelor’s degree. Many students meet it through a combined 5-year bachelor’s and master’s programme, but a master’s degree is not required. A few states allow years of public accounting experience to substitute for part of the education requirement.
The exam
Candidates must pass the national CPA examination. It covers core areas such as auditing, financial accounting and reporting, and taxation and regulation, plus a chosen discipline section.
Experience and ethics
States set additional requirements, commonly including supervised work experience and an ethics component. These vary by state, so check the rules for the state where you plan to be licensed.
Options for International Accountants
- Credential evaluation: foreign degrees are evaluated to see how many US-equivalent credits they provide toward the 150 hours.
- International testing: the CPA exam is offered at testing centres in a number of countries outside the US.
- Working for US clients from abroad: many global firms and US companies run accounting operations in India, the Philippines and elsewhere, where CPA candidates are in demand.
- Mutual recognition: some professional bodies have recognition agreements that can shorten the route for qualified accountants. Check with NASBA for current arrangements.
How to Build an Accounting Career
- Get your degree and plan how you will reach 150 credit hours.
- Join a public accounting firm or corporate finance team for supervised experience.
- Sit and pass the CPA exam sections within the allowed window.
- Apply for your state licence once education, exam and experience are complete.
- Specialise in tax, audit, advisory, forensic accounting or financial reporting.
The Fine Print
- State rules differ. Always follow the requirements of your chosen state board.
- Busy season is real. Audit and tax professionals often work long hours in peak months.
- Automation is changing entry-level work. Routine bookkeeping is increasingly automated, so analytical and advisory skills matter more.
Is Accounting Worth It?
Yes, especially with a CPA. The profession offers job security, steady growth, more than 115,000 openings a year in the US alone, and clear routes into senior finance roles such as controller and CFO. For international accountants, the CPA can significantly raise earning power in global firms, even without moving to the US.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants earn in the US?
The median was $83,680 in May 2025, with the top 10% earning more than $144,090.
What is the 150-hour rule?
All states require 150 semester hours of college coursework for a CPA licence, 30 more than a typical bachelor’s degree.
Do I need a master’s degree to become a CPA?
No. A master’s is one way to reach 150 hours, but it is not required.
Can I take the CPA exam outside the US?
Yes, the exam is offered in several countries outside the US.
Who must be a CPA?
Any accountant who files reports with the SEC must be a licensed CPA.
Official sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Accountants and Auditors, at bls.gov, and NASBA at nasba.org. This site is not affiliated with any accounting body and never charges any fee for job information.