For example, as of April 01, 2025, the average yearly salary of Bookkeeper in San Francisco, CA is $54,751 and in New York, NY, the average annual salary goes to $50,805. For example, as of April 01, 2025, the average yearly salary of Bookkeeper is $48,354 in California and in Massachusetts, the average annual salary goes to $47,710. Salaries in the United States can vary significantly from state to state due to a multitude of factors, including cost of living, local economic conditions, and industry presence. As of April 01, 2025, Salary.com is seeing that an entry-level Bookkeeper with under 1 year experience makes about $42,717. With less than 2 years of experience, a mid-level Bookkeeper makes around $42,819. Those senior Bookkeeper with 5-8 years of experience earn roughly $46,102, and those Bookkeeper having 8 years or more experience is expected to earn about $46,239 on average.

Highest paying industries for bookkeepers

Economic conditions can influence the types of transactions businesses engage in. For example, during times of uncertainty, businesses might explore new markets, invest in different assets, or restructure their operations. These complex transactions may require more specialized bookkeeping knowledge and therefore command higher fees. Consider obtaining additional certifications like QuickBooks ProAdvisor or specializing in a niche area such as construction or ecommerce. You can also introduce higher-value services like financial analysis, budgeting, cash flow forecasting, or tax preparation.

• Click on search button below to see Full Charge Bookkeeper job openings or enter a new job title here.
• While Kate’s experience is proof you don’t need a website to get started, it can make your business feel more legit to prospective customers (and to yourself).
• Meanwhile, the average hourly wage for in-house bookkeepers is approximately $27.27, ranging from $20.64 in Florida to $33.89 in Washington.
• However, keep in mind that those higher living costs may cancel out the financial benefits of increased bookkeeping salaries.
• Salaries can vary significantly based on location and experience, with some metropolitan areas offering higher averages, such as San Jose at $59,750 and San Francisco at $58,670.

What are the skills of Bookkeeper

The data presented in the following table covers all three professions. Also, note that the degree-related salaries cover all accounting professionals who hold that degree. In 2019, Strategic Finance what is a bookkeeper magazine published a report detailing a “looming crisis” in the accounting industry. The editorial asserted that not enough new bookkeepers are emerging to replace professionals aging into retirement. Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.

Salary

Like so many jobs, experience influences hourly rates for bookkeepers. New bookkeepers will enter at a lower rate than those with years of experience under their belt. According to Indeed.com, entry-level bookkeepers make an average of $18.34 per hour.

In Kate’s case, she earned an Advanced Pro Advisor certification from Quickbooks. She recommended aspiring bookkeepers either Coffee Shop Accounting gain certification in Quickbooks or Xero, as these are the two most popular online accounting software programs. Still, Kate added that all of the major bookkeeping software providers have their own certification programs. By taking these, you can demonstrate you’re proficient in using their software. But you’ll still need a foundational education on the rules of accounting. As inflation rises, the cost of doing business increases for bookkeepers.

How Much Do Bookkeepers Charge?

Salary.com job board provides millions of Bookkeeper information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Bookkeeper job openings or enter a new job title here. Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.

In September 2022, Payscale reported an average annual base salary of about $50,430 for full-charge bookkeepers. According to BLS data from May 2021, the top 10% of bookkeepers earned median base salaries of $61,980 per year. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups cash flow bookkeepers with accounting and auditing clerks in its job-related data.