How Much Does a Bookkeeper Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$50,670
Bookkeepers in the U.S. earn a median of $50,670 a year, or $24.36 an hour. Half of bookkeepers earn more than $50,670 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $74,550.
Pay percentiles for bookkeepers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17.31 | $36,000 |
| 25th | $20.92 | $43,520 |
| 50th (median) | $24.36 | $50,670 |
| 75th | $29.55 | $61,470 |
| 90th | $35.84 | $74,550 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks (SOC 43-3031). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for bookkeepers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $65,180 | $31.34 | +29% |
| Connecticut | $59,970 | $28.83 | +18% |
| Massachusetts | $59,830 | $28.77 | +18% |
| California | $59,230 | $28.48 | +17% |
| Washington | $58,620 | $28.18 | +16% |
| New Jersey | $58,300 | $28.03 | +15% |
| New York | $58,160 | $27.96 | +15% |
| Alaska | $56,430 | $27.13 | +11% |
| Vermont | $54,720 | $26.31 | +8% |
| Minnesota | $54,600 | $26.25 | +8% |
| United States | $50,670 | $24.36 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many bookkeepers are there?
BLS counts about 1,373,680 bookkeepers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks”. The most jobs are in California (151,870), Texas (122,400) and Florida (88,670).
The mean (average) annual wage is $53,560, higher than the median of $50,670.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $4,223
- Biweekly
- $1,949
- Weekly
- $974
- Daily (8 hours)
- $195
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do bookkeepers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for bookkeepers is $24.36. The middle 50% earn between $20.92 and $29.55 an hour.
Which state pays bookkeepers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for bookkeepers at $65,180, +29% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for bookkeepers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of bookkeepers earn less than $36,000 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.