Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Salary Breakdown — Gross vs. Take-Home
National median: $95,000/year. After federal taxes (single filer), that's $75,219/year take-home — 20.8% effective rate.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Salary After Federal Tax by Experience Level
Take-home calculated for single filer, federal taxes only (no state income tax baseline).
| Level | Gross Salary | Take-Home / Year | Monthly | Eff. Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | $58,000 | $48,642 | $4,053 | 16.1% |
| 25th Percentile | $72,000 | $59,038 | $4,920 | 18.0% |
| MedianBLS Median | $95,000 | $75,219 | $6,268 | 20.8% |
| 75th Percentile | $130,000 | $99,608 | $8,301 | 23.4% |
| 90th Percentile | $175,000 | $130,366 | $10,864 | 25.5% |
| Senior Level | $145,000 | $109,861 | $9,155 | 24.2% |
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Take-Home Pay by State
Salary figures adjusted for state cost of living and local market rates. Single filer.
| State | Est. Salary | Take-Home / Year | Monthly | Eff. Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $125,162 | $89,750 | $7,479 | 28.3% |
| California | $116,613 | $81,986 | $6,832 | 29.7% |
| Connecticut | $111,625 | $81,467 | $6,789 | 27.0% |
| New Jersey | $111,863 | $81,982 | $6,832 | 26.7% |
| Massachusetts | $113,525 | $82,575 | $6,881 | 27.3% |
About This Career
CPAs hold the gold-standard accounting credential, earning a consistent 10–15% salary premium over non-certified accountants. Tax CPAs at Big Four firms and forensic accountants at consulting practices represent two of the highest-earning specializations within the credential.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Certified Public Accountant (CPA) salary in the US?+
The national median Certified Public Accountant (CPA) salary is $95,000 per year (BLS data). The middle 50% of earners fall between $72,000 and $130,000, while the top 10% earn over $175,000.
How much does a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) take home after taxes?+
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) earning the median $95,000 takes home approximately $75,219 after federal taxes (single filer, assuming no state income tax). Add state taxes to get a more precise figure for your location.
Where do Certified Public Accountant (CPA)s earn the most?+
The highest-paying states for Certified Public Accountant (CPA)s are New York, California, Connecticut. Top cities include New York City, San Francisco, Washington DC, where salaries can exceed $130,000 for experienced professionals.