Accountant Salary

Compton vs Los Angeles: Accountant Salary (2026)

Compare accountant salaries between Compton, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Compton, CA
$85,286
$41.00/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$96,823
$46.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCompton, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$85,286$96,823
Hourly Rate$41.00$46.54
Entry Level (P10)$53,968$61,884
25th Percentile$70,505$75,993
75th Percentile$109,167$125,482
Top Earner (P90)$132,193$158,666
Total Employed2570,640
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Compton ($85,286) and Los Angeles ($96,823) accountant salaries.ComptonLos AngelesMedian Salary$85,286$96,823Entry Level (P10)$53,968$61,884Top Earner (P90)$132,193$158,666US Median $85,864

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for accountants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Compton.

The salary gap between Compton and Los Angeles is $11,537 (13.53%). Los Angeles's median is +12.76% compared to the US national median of $85,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Compton spans $78,225,Los Angeles spans $96,782. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced accountants.

Compton
P10 (Entry)$53,968
P25$70,505
Median$85,286
P75$109,167
P90 (Top)$132,193
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$61,884
P25$75,993
Median$96,823
P75$125,482
P90 (Top)$158,666

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($85,257 effective) pays 13.06% more than Compton ($75,408 effective).

Compton
Nominal: $85,286
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $75,408
Los Angeles
Nominal: $96,823
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $85,257

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Compton if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($96,823/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($158,666)
  • Larger job market (70,640 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $85,257)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, accountant salaries in Compton grew -27.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.0% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Compton, CA

+-27.3%

$114,259 (2024) → $83,117 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+30.0%

$72,570 (2019) → $94,360 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: Compton or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median accountant salary at $96,823/year, compared to Compton at $85,286/year — a difference of $11,537 (13.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Compton and Los Angeles?

Compton accountants earn $41.00/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $46.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Compton to Los Angeles as a accountant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Compton and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Compton = $75,408, Los Angeles = $85,257), job availability (25 vs 70,640 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level accountants earn in Compton vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $53,968 in Compton and $61,884 in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Sofia Patel, CPA

Career Analyst

Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Chen, CMAData verified by Amina Khan, MBA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.61% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov