Accountant salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
An Accountant in California earns a median of $97,050 a year ($46.66/hour equivalent), 16.0% above the national median of $83,680. California ranks #6 of 51 states. About 175,360 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $71,062 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $2,733 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $3,732.69
- Federal income tax
- −$481.58
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$231.43
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$54.12
- California income tax
- −$183.87
- CA SDI
- −$48.52
- Take-home pay
- $2,733.17
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $97,050
- Federal
- $12,521
- FICA
- $7,424
- State + local
- $6,042
- Net
- $71,062
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 9.3%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | District of Columbia | $111,530 |
| #2 | New York | $102,640 |
| #3 | New Jersey | $100,830 |
| #4 | Massachusetts | $99,460 |
| #5 | Connecticut | $97,550 |
| #6 | California | $97,050 |
| #49 | Nebraska | $72,080 |
| #50 | Mississippi | $68,100 |
| #51 | Arkansas | $66,330 |
See the national Accountant salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Accountants and Auditors (SOC 13-2011), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Accountant make in California?
The median salary is $97,050 a year and the average is $103,760 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for accountants and auditors?
California ranks #6 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 16% above the national median of $83,680.
What is $97,050 after taxes in California?
About $71,062 a year ($2,733 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.