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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Real salary distribution from 288 tracked cities across 46 states. Compare entry-level, median, and senior compensation — then adjust for cost of living.
The real question isn't what this job pays. It's what it pays where you live. The national median salary for Bookkeepers in 2026 is $54,703, with entry-level positions averaging $39,386 and senior roles reaching $77,678. But those numbers flatten a reality with enormous geographic variation — Sunnyvale pays a median of $99,640, while other markets fall well below the national average. We tracked 288 cities to build the complete picture.
A career as a Bookkeeper sits at the intersection of Office & Admin and Administrative. Most professionals enter with Some college + experience, and the field is characterized by steady. The work itself is hybrid/remote. Understanding that context matters: it explains why certain markets pay premiums and others lag.
$60,630 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities. A Bookkeeper in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $99,640 — $60,630 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($39,010). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent. For early-career professionals, the geographic pay premium is worth the math.
The three-tier salary picture for Bookkeepers in 2026: $39,386 at entry (P10), $54,703 at midpoint, and $77,678 at the senior end (P90). The state breakdown adds another layer. The $38,292 range from bottom to top isn't just experience — it's geography, specialization, and industry mixed together. The median itself lands $25,664 below the national median household income of $80,367.
The pay gap between the top and bottom markets is dramatic: $93,060 (average of the top 3 cities) versus $39,323 (average of the bottom 3). That $53,737 delta is real money — $4,478/month before taxes. But the highest-paying cities tend to be the most expensive. The cost-adjusted comparison below tells the more important story.
A Bookkeeper in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $99,640 — $60,630 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($39,010). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent.
| Country | Coverage | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 288 | $39,386 | $54,703 | $77,678 |
| United Kingdom | 27 | £21,649 | £30,067 | £42,695 |
| Canada | 21 | CA$31,693 | CA$44,018 | CA$62,506 |
| Australia | 13 | A$34,712 | A$48,211 | A$68,460 |
| Sweden | 24 | 223,509 kr | 310,430 kr | 440,810 kr |
| State | Cities | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 61 | $47,537 | $66,023 | $93,753 |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $45,938 | $63,803 | $90,600 |
| Hawaii | 1 | $45,684 | $63,450 | $90,099 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $42,300 | $58,750 | $83,425 |
| New Jersey | 4 | $41,792 | $58,045 | $82,424 |
| Washington | 8 | $40,989 | $56,929 | $80,839 |
| New York | 5 | $38,577 | $53,580 | $76,083 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $38,578 | $53,580 | $76,084 |
| Florida | 22 | $38,285 | $53,174 | $75,507 |
| Colorado | 11 | $37,624 | $52,255 | $74,203 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $37,562 | $52,170 | $74,081 |
| Nevada | 5 | $37,495 | $52,076 | $73,948 |
| Arizona | 12 | $37,309 | $51,818 | $73,581 |
| Oregon | 5 | $37,224 | $51,700 | $73,414 |
| Idaho | 3 | $37,111 | $51,543 | $73,192 |
| Connecticut | 5 | $36,818 | $51,136 | $72,613 |
| Utah | 4 | $36,716 | $50,995 | $72,413 |
| Virginia | 7 | $36,112 | $50,156 | $71,221 |
| South Carolina | 3 | $35,645 | $49,507 | $70,299 |
| Alaska | 1 | $35,532 | $49,350 | $70,077 |
| Illinois | 5 | $35,126 | $48,786 | $69,276 |
| North Carolina | 9 | $34,254 | $47,574 | $67,556 |
| New Mexico | 3 | $33,840 | $47,000 | $66,740 |
| Montana | 1 | $33,840 | $47,000 | $66,740 |
| Tennessee | 6 | $33,727 | $46,843 | $66,517 |
| Texas | 40 | $33,561 | $46,612 | $66,189 |
| Minnesota | 2 | $33,502 | $46,530 | $66,073 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $33,333 | $46,295 | $65,739 |
| Georgia | 6 | $33,220 | $46,138 | $65,517 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $33,163 | $46,060 | $65,405 |
| Kansas | 4 | $32,994 | $45,825 | $65,072 |
| Michigan | 6 | $32,881 | $45,668 | $64,849 |
| Kentucky | 2 | $32,487 | $45,120 | $64,071 |
| Maryland | 1 | $32,486 | $45,120 | $64,070 |
| Nebraska | 2 | $32,148 | $44,650 | $63,403 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $32,148 | $44,650 | $63,403 |
| Oklahoma | 4 | $31,302 | $43,475 | $61,735 |
| North Dakota | 1 | $31,133 | $43,240 | $61,401 |
| Louisiana | 4 | $30,710 | $42,653 | $60,567 |
| Missouri | 4 | $30,710 | $42,653 | $60,567 |
| Alabama | 5 | $30,592 | $42,488 | $60,333 |
| Indiana | 3 | $30,118 | $41,830 | $59,399 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $30,118 | $41,830 | $59,399 |
| Iowa | 2 | $29,779 | $41,360 | $58,731 |
| Ohio | 6 | $29,723 | $41,282 | $58,620 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $28,426 | $39,480 | $56,062 |
At the state level, California leads with an average Bookkeeper median of $66,023 across 61 cities, followed by Massachusetts ($63,803) and Hawaii ($63,450). The demand picture adds context to these salary numbers. The lowest-paying states — Mississippi, Ohio, Iowa — offer medians between $39,480 and $41,360. But state averages mask city-level variation that's often just as large.
When you adjust the top-paying cities for cost of living, the ranking reshuffles. Sunnyvale ($99,640 nominal, 212 cost index) delivers $47,000 in purchasing power — maintaining its lead even after cost adjustment. This is the metric that matters for anyone considering a geo-based career move.
Raw salary divided by the local cost index — this shows where your paycheck buys the most.
| # | City | Nominal Salary | Cost Index | Adjusted Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunnyvale California | $99,640 | 212 | $47,000 | $61,792 |
| 2 | Santa Clara California | $93,060 | 198 | $47,000 | $58,038 |
| 3 | Irvine California | $86,480 | 184 | $47,000 | $54,284 |
| 4 | San Francisco California | $85,070 | 181 | $47,000 | $53,479 |
| 5 | Carlsbad California | $83,660 | 178 | $47,000 | $52,675 |
| 6 | San Jose California | $83,190 | 177 | $47,000 | $52,407 |
| 7 | Fremont California | $83,190 | 177 | $47,000 | $52,407 |
| 8 | Berkeley California | $81,310 | 173 | $47,000 | $51,334 |
| 9 | Costa Mesa California | $81,310 | 173 | $47,000 | $51,334 |
| 10 | Huntington Beach California | $79,430 | 169 | $47,000 | $50,262 |
From a career planning perspective, Bookkeeper offers a $38,292 earning range. The 2.0× progression is steady — not explosive, but reliable. The typical entry requires Some college + experience. Day-to-day, expect hybrid/remote work environments. With data from 288 cities, the geographic flexibility is substantial — this career travels well.
The weighted national median salary for Bookkeepers is $54,703 in 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics across 288 U.S. metro areas. Entry-level (10th percentile) averages $39,386, while experienced professionals at the 90th percentile average $77,678.
The highest-paying city for Bookkeepers is Sunnyvale, California with a median salary of $99,640. The top 3 cities are Sunnyvale ($99,640), Santa Clara ($93,060), Irvine ($86,480). Note: high-paying cities often have higher costs of living — check the cost-adjusted rankings above for purchasing power.
The lowest median Bookkeeper salary in our data is in Toledo, Ohio at $39,010. However, lower-paying cities often have significantly lower costs of living, which can offset the pay gap. Always compare salary data alongside local cost of living.
Entry-level Bookkeepers (10th percentile) average $39,386 nationally. This varies by city — in the highest-paying markets, entry-level pay can be close to $71,741. Experience, certifications, and employer type all influence starting salary.
At the 90th percentile (senior level), Bookkeepers average $77,678 nationally — $38,292 more than entry-level. In top-paying cities, senior Bookkeepers can earn up to $141,489.
The top-paying states for Bookkeepers are California ($66,023 median), Massachusetts ($63,803 median), Hawaii ($63,450 median). State averages are computed across all tracked cities in each state, weighted equally.
The typical education path for a Bookkeeper involves Some college + experience. The field is in the Administrative sector (Office & Admin), and the career outlook is steady. Work style is typically hybrid/remote.
With a national median of $54,703 and representation across 288 metro areas, Bookkeeper offers a foundation that can be strengthened by strategic location choices. The $38,292 gap between entry and senior pay shows room for salary growth. Industry outlook: steady.
All salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan areas. We present 10th percentile (entry), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks. Cost-of-living adjustments use our core database of 288 cities.
Salary data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. We present the 10th percentile (entry-level), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks.
Cost-of-living adjustments use Livably's core index derived from Zillow rent data, Census income surveys, and regional BLS price data. Take-home pay estimates apply simplified federal brackets, 7.65% FICA, and state income tax rates from the Tax Foundation.
State and national averages are computed as simple means across all tracked cities with data for this occupation. Rankings are updated monthly as new BLS releases become available.