Are you going to be starting a new job at a public accounting firm in Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Phoenix, or Portland, OR? How about in Nashville, Houston, Las Vegas, Charlotte, or San Jose, CA? Starting salaries in public accounting next year are projected to range between 5% lower and 32% higher than the national averages in these 10 cities as well as five others that are among the largest in the U.S. by population.
Specialized staffing firm Robert Half released its 2024 Salary Guide, and an analysis of the pay data by CPA Practice Advisor revealed a 3.6% average increase in starting salaries for tax roles in public accounting next year and a 3.8% average increase in starting salaries for positions in audit and assurance in 2024.
The guide also has a “view salaries by category” feature in which you can find out how much starting salaries will increase, decrease, or stay the same compared to the national averages in several cities in the U.S. by profession.
Last week, CPA Practice Advisor used the “view salaries by category” tool to find out how much public accounting starting salaries are expected to increase in 2024 compared to the national averages in eight of the top 60 largest cities in the U.S. by population that are among the most expensive to live in.
Today, we have used that same tool to find out what starting salaries in public accounting are expected to look like next year in 15 other large U.S. metropolises. These 15 cities are among the 30 biggest in the country in terms of population.
As a reminder, Robert Half provides starting pay ranges by percentile, based on a candidate’s experience. For the 2024 salary guide, there are three salary percentiles with the following descriptions:
- 25th percentile: New to the role, with little to no experience; requires more than casual instruction or supervision to perform day-to-day duties.
- 50th percentile: Has the experience to consistently perform core responsibilities without direct supervision; very comfortable with processes and subject matter associated with the role.
- 75th percentile: Value to the organization goes far beyond the ability to perform normal job duties; has rare qualifications that enable consistent contribution in unique ways; ready for next career level when available.
The following are the 2024 public accounting starting salaries in those 15 cities compared to the national averages, ranked from highest increase to lowest decrease (2024 national average -> the average for that city by percentile per position):
1. San Jose, CA
Salaries in San Jose are 32% higher than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $124,500 -> $164,340
- 50th percentile: $159,500 -> $210,540
- 75th percentile: $192,000 -> $253,440
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $122,430
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $148,830
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $172,920
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $67,250 -> $88,770
- 50th percentile: $83,250 -> $109,890
- 75th percentile: $93,250 -> $123,090
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $52,750 -> $69,630
- 50th percentile: $64,750 -> $85,470
- 75th percentile: $74,750 -> $98,670
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $121,500 -> $160,380
- 50th percentile: $150,250 -> $198,330
- 75th percentile: $174,250 -> $230,010
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $90,000 -> $118,800
- 50th percentile: $106,250 -> $140,250
- 75th percentile: $124,750 -> $164,670
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,750 -> $76,230
- 50th percentile: $72,750 -> $96,030
- 75th percentile: $82,750 -> $109,230
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $49,000 -> $64,680
- 50th percentile: $60,500 -> $79,860
- 75th percentile: $69,500 -> $91,740
2. Chicago
Salaries in Chicago are 24% higher than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $124,500 -> $154,380
- 50th percentile: $159,500 -> $197,780
- 75th percentile: $192,000 -> $238,080
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $115,010
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $139,810
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $162,440
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $67,250 -> $83,390
- 50th percentile: $83,250 -> $103,230
- 75th percentile: $93,250 -> $115,630
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $52,750 -> $65,410
- 50th percentile: $64,750 -> $80,290
- 75th percentile: $74,750 -> $92,690
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $121,500 -> $150,660
- 50th percentile: $150,250 -> $186,310
- 75th percentile: $174,250 -> $216,070
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $90,000 -> $111,600
- 50th percentile: $106,250 -> $131,750
- 75th percentile: $124,750 -> $154,690
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,750 -> $71,610
- 50th percentile: $72,750 -> $90,210
- 75th percentile: $82,750 -> $102,610
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $49,000 -> $60,760
- 50th percentile: $60,500 -> $75,020
- 75th percentile: $69,500 -> $86,180
3. Philadelphia
Salaries in Philadelphia are 18% higher than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $124,500 -> $146,910
- 50th percentile: $159,500 -> $188,210
- 75th percentile: $192,000 -> $226,560
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $109,445
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $133,045
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $154,580
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $67,250 -> $79,355
- 50th percentile: $83,250 -> $98,235
- 75th percentile: $93,250 -> $110,035
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $52,750 -> $62,245
- 50th percentile: $64,750 -> $76,405
- 75th percentile: $74,750 -> $88,205
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $121,500 -> $143,370
- 50th percentile: $150,250 -> $177,295
- 75th percentile: $174,250 -> $205,615
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $90,000 -> $106,200
- 50th percentile: $106,250 -> $125,375
- 75th percentile: $124,750 -> $147,205
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,750 -> $68,145
- 50th percentile: $72,750 -> $85,845
- 75th percentile: $82,750 -> $97,645
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $49,000 -> $57,820
- 50th percentile: $60,500 -> $71,390
- 75th percentile: $69,500 -> $82,010
4. Dallas
Salaries in Dallas are 12% higher than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $124,500 -> $139,440
- 50th percentile: $159,500 -> $178,640
- 75th percentile: $192,000 -> $215,040
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $103,880
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $126,280
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $146,720
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $67,250 -> $75,320
- 50th percentile: $83,250 -> $93,240
- 75th percentile: $93,250 -> $104,440
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $52,750 -> $59,080
- 50th percentile: $64,750 -> $72,520
- 75th percentile: $74,750 -> $83,720
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $121,500 -> $136,080
- 50th percentile: $150,250 -> $168,280
- 75th percentile: $174,250 -> $195,160
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $90,000 -> $100,800
- 50th percentile: $106,250 -> $119,000
- 75th percentile: $124,750 -> $139,720
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,750 -> $64,680
- 50th percentile: $72,750 -> $81,480
- 75th percentile: $82,750 -> $92,680
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $49,000 -> $54,880
- 50th percentile: $60,500 -> $67,760
- 75th percentile: $69,500 -> $77,840
5. Portland, OR
Salaries in Portland are 11% higher than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $124,500 -> $138,195
- 50th percentile: $159,500 -> $177,045
- 75th percentile: $192,000 -> $213,120
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $102,953
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $125,153
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $145,410
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $67,250 -> $74,648
- 50th percentile: $83,250 -> $92,408
- 75th percentile: $93,250 -> $103,508
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $52,750 -> $58,553
- 50th percentile: $64,750 -> $71,873
- 75th percentile: $74,750 -> $82,973
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $121,500 -> $134,865
- 50th percentile: $150,250 -> $166,778
- 75th percentile: $174,250 -> $193,418
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $90,000 -> $99,900
- 50th percentile: $106,250 -> $117,938
- 75th percentile: $124,750 -> $138,473
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,750 -> $64,103
- 50th percentile: $72,750 -> $80,753
- 75th percentile: $82,750 -> $91,853
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $49,000 -> $54,390
- 50th percentile: $60,500 -> $67,155
- 75th percentile: $69,500 -> $77,145
6. Houston
7. Phoenix
Salaries in Houston and Phoenix are 10% higher than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $124,500 -> $136,950
- 50th percentile: $159,500 -> $175,450
- 75th percentile: $192,000 -> $211,200
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $102,025
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $124,025
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $144,100
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $67,250 -> $73,975
- 50th percentile: $83,250 -> $91,575
- 75th percentile: $93,250 -> $102,575
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $52,750 -> $58,025
- 50th percentile: $64,750 -> $71,225
- 75th percentile: $74,750 -> $82,225
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $121,500 -> $133,650
- 50th percentile: $150,250 -> $165,275
- 75th percentile: $174,250 -> $191,675
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $90,000 -> $99,000
- 50th percentile: $106,250 -> $116,875
- 75th percentile: $124,750 -> $137,225
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,750 -> $63,525
- 50th percentile: $72,750 -> $80,025
- 75th percentile: $82,750 -> $91,025
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $49,000 -> $53,900
- 50th percentile: $60,500 -> $66,550
- 75th percentile: $69,500 -> $76,450
8. Las Vegas
Salaries in Las Vegas are 6% higher than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $124,500 -> $131,970
- 50th percentile: $159,500 -> $169,070
- 75th percentile: $192,000 -> $203,520
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $98,315
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $119,515
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $138,860
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $67,250 -> $71,285
- 50th percentile: $83,250 -> $88,245
- 75th percentile: $93,250 -> $98,845
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $52,750 -> $55,915
- 50th percentile: $64,750 -> $68,635
- 75th percentile: $74,750 -> $79,235
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $121,500 -> $128,790
- 50th percentile: $150,250 -> $159,265
- 75th percentile: $174,250 -> $184,705
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $90,000 -> $95,400
- 50th percentile: $106,250 -> $112,625
- 75th percentile: $124,750 -> $132,235
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,750 -> $61,215
- 50th percentile: $72,750 -> $77,115
- 75th percentile: $82,750 -> $87,715
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $49,000 -> $51,940
- 50th percentile: $60,500 -> $64,130
- 75th percentile: $69,500 -> $73,670
9. Charlotte, NC
Salaries in Charlotte are 3.5% higher than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $124,500 -> $128,858
- 50th percentile: $159,500 -> $165,083
- 75th percentile: $192,000 -> $198,720
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $95,996
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $116,696
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $135,585
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $67,250 -> $69,604
- 50th percentile: $83,250 -> $86,164
- 75th percentile: $93,250 -> $96,514
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $52,750 -> $54,596
- 50th percentile: $64,750 -> $67,016
- 75th percentile: $74,750 -> $77,366
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $121,500 -> $125,753
- 50th percentile: $150,250 -> $155,509
- 75th percentile: $174,250 -> $180,349
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $90,000 -> $93,150
- 50th percentile: $106,250 -> $109,969
- 75th percentile: $124,750 -> $129,116
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,750 -> $59,771
- 50th percentile: $72,750 -> $75,296
- 75th percentile: $82,750 -> $85,646
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $49,000 -> $50,715
- 50th percentile: $60,500 -> $62,618
- 75th percentile: $69,500 -> $71,933
10. Nashville, TN
Salaries in Nashville are 2% higher than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $124,500 -> $126,990
- 50th percentile: $159,500 -> $162,690
- 75th percentile: $192,000 -> $195,840
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $94,605
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $115,005
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $133,620
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $67,250 -> $68,595
- 50th percentile: $83,250 -> $84,915
- 75th percentile: $93,250 -> $95,115
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $52,750 -> $53,805
- 50th percentile: $64,750 -> $66,045
- 75th percentile: $74,750 -> $76,245
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $121,500 -> $123,930
- 50th percentile: $150,250 -> $153,255
- 75th percentile: $174,250 -> $177,735
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $90,000 -> $91,800
- 50th percentile: $106,250 -> $108,375
- 75th percentile: $124,750 -> $127,245
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,750 -> $58,905
- 50th percentile: $72,750 -> $74,205
- 75th percentile: $82,750 -> $84,405
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $49,000 -> $49,980
- 50th percentile: $60,500 -> $61,710
- 75th percentile: $69,500 -> $70,890
11. Detroit
Salaries in Detroit are the same as the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $124,500
- 50th percentile: $159,500
- 75th percentile: $192,000
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750
- 50th percentile: $112,750
- 75th percentile: $131,000
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $67,250
- 50th percentile: $83,250
- 75th percentile: $93,250
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $52,750
- 50th percentile: $64,750
- 75th percentile: $74,750
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $121,500
- 50th percentile: $150,250
- 75th percentile: $174,250
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $90,000
- 50th percentile: $106,250
- 75th percentile: $124,750
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,750
- 50th percentile: $72,750
- 75th percentile: $82,750
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $49,000
- 50th percentile: $60,500
- 75th percentile: $69,500
12. Columbus, OH
Salaries in Columbus are 2% lower than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $124,500 -> $122,010
- 50th percentile: $159,500 -> $156,310
- 75th percentile: $192,000 -> $188,160
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $90,895
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $110,495
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $128,380
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $67,250 -> $65,905
- 50th percentile: $83,250 -> $81,585
- 75th percentile: $93,250 -> $91,385
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $52,750 -> $51,695
- 50th percentile: $64,750 -> $63,455
- 75th percentile: $74,750 -> $73,255
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $121,500 -> $119,070
- 50th percentile: $150,250 -> $147,245
- 75th percentile: $174,250 -> $170,765
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $90,000 -> $88,200
- 50th percentile: $106,250 -> $104,125
- 75th percentile: $124,750 -> $122,255
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,750 -> $56,595
- 50th percentile: $72,750 -> $71,295
- 75th percentile: $82,750 -> $81,095
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $49,000 -> $48,020
- 50th percentile: $60,500 -> $59,290
- 75th percentile: $69,500 -> $68,110
13. Indianapolis
14. Jacksonville, FL
Salaries in Indianapolis and Jacksonville are 3% lower than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $124,500 -> $120,765
- 50th percentile: $159,500 -> $154,715
- 75th percentile: $192,000 -> $186,240
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $89,968
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $109,368
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $127,070
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $67,250 -> $65,233
- 50th percentile: $83,250 -> $80,753
- 75th percentile: $93,250 -> $90,453
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $52,750 -> $51,168
- 50th percentile: $64,750 -> $62,808
- 75th percentile: $74,750 -> $72,508
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $121,500 -> $117,855
- 50th percentile: $150,250 -> $145,743
- 75th percentile: $174,250 -> $169,023
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $90,000 -> $87,300
- 50th percentile: $106,250 -> $103,063
- 75th percentile: $124,750 -> $121,008
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,750 -> $56,018
- 50th percentile: $72,750 -> $70,568
- 75th percentile: $82,750 -> $80,268
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $49,000 -> $47,530
- 50th percentile: $60,500 -> $58,685
- 75th percentile: $69,500 -> $67,415
15. Oklahoma City
Salaries in Oklahoma City are 5% lower than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $124,500 -> $118,275
- 50th percentile: $159,500 -> $151,525
- 75th percentile: $192,000 -> $182,400
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $88,113
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $107,113
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $124,450
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $67,250 -> $63,888
- 50th percentile: $83,250 -> $79,088
- 75th percentile: $93,250 -> $88,588
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $52,750 -> $50,113
- 50th percentile: $64,750 -> $61,513
- 75th percentile: $74,750 -> $71,013
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $121,500 -> $115,425
- 50th percentile: $150,250 -> $142,738
- 75th percentile: $174,250 -> $165,538
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $90,000 -> $85,500
- 50th percentile: $106,250 -> $100,938
- 75th percentile: $124,750 -> $118,513
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,750 -> $54,863
- 50th percentile: $72,750 -> $69,113
- 75th percentile: $82,750 -> $78,613
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $49,000 -> $46,550
- 50th percentile: $60,500 -> $57,475
- 75th percentile: $69,500 -> $66,025
Honorable mentions: Austin, TX, 16% higher; Fort Worth, TX, 11% higher; Baltimore, 4% higher; San Antonio, TX, 1% higher; Memphis, TN, 4% lower; Louisville, KY, 8% lower; and El Paso, TX, 28% lower.
Thanks for reading CPA Practice Advisor!
Subscribe for free to get personalized daily content, newsletters, continuing education, podcasts, whitepapers and more…
Subscribe Already registered? Log In
Need more information? Read the FAQs
Tags: Accounting, Firm Management, Payroll
