Accountant Salary

Los Angeles vs Pittsburg: Accountant Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$96,823
$46.54/hr
Pittsburg, CA
$86,582
$41.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAPittsburg, CA
Median Salary$96,823$86,582
Hourly Rate$46.54$41.63
Entry Level (P10)$61,884$56,627
25th Percentile$75,993$67,961
75th Percentile$125,482$110,825
Top Earner (P90)$158,666$134,203
Total Employed70,64019
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($96,823) and Pittsburg ($86,582) accountant salaries.Los AngelesPittsburgMedian Salary$96,823$86,582Entry Level (P10)$61,884$56,627Top Earner (P90)$158,666$134,203US Median $85,864

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Pittsburg is $10,241 (11.83%). 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 Los Angeles spans $96,782,Pittsburg spans $77,576. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$61,884
P25$75,993
Median$96,823
P75$125,482
P90 (Top)$158,666
Pittsburg
P10 (Entry)$56,627
P25$67,961
Median$86,582
P75$110,825
P90 (Top)$134,203

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($85,257 effective) pays 11.37% more than Pittsburg ($76,553 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $96,823
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $85,257
Pittsburg
Nominal: $86,582
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $76,553

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Pittsburg if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, accountant salaries in Los Angeles grew 30.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -27.3% growth in Pittsburg over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+30.0%

$72,570 (2019) → $94,360 (2025)

Pittsburg, CA

+-27.3%

$115,995 (2024) → $84,380 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: Los Angeles or Pittsburg?

Los Angeles has a higher median accountant salary at $96,823/year, compared to Pittsburg at $86,582/year — a difference of $10,241 (11.83%).

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

Los Angeles accountants earn $46.54/hr while Pittsburg hygienists earn $41.63/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Pittsburg. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $85,257, Pittsburg = $76,553), job availability (70,640 vs 19 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $61,884 in Los Angeles and $56,627 in Pittsburg. 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