Accountant Salary

San Francisco vs Vallejo: Accountant Salary (2026)

Compare accountant salaries between San Francisco, CA and Vallejo, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Francisco, CA
$113,620
$54.63/hr
Vallejo, CA
$98,300
$47.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAVallejo, CA
Median Salary$113,620$98,300
Hourly Rate$54.63$47.26
Entry Level (P10)$75,336$61,976
25th Percentile$91,138$77,963
75th Percentile$147,338$121,562
Top Earner (P90)$184,760$147,215
Total Employed25,170690
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($113,620) and Vallejo ($98,300) accountant salaries.San FranciscoVallejoMedian Salary$113,620$98,300Entry Level (P10)$75,336$61,976Top Earner (P90)$184,760$147,215US Median $85,864

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for accountants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Vallejo.

The salary gap between San Francisco and Vallejo is $15,320 (15.58%). San Francisco's median is +32.33% compared to the US national median of $85,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Francisco spans $109,424,Vallejo spans $85,239. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$75,336
P25$91,138
Median$113,620
P75$147,338
P90 (Top)$184,760
Vallejo
P10 (Entry)$61,976
P25$77,963
Median$98,300
P75$121,562
P90 (Top)$147,215

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($98,276 effective) pays 8.45% more than Vallejo ($90,617 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $113,620
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $98,276
Vallejo
Nominal: $98,300
CoL Index: 108.479
Adjusted: $90,617

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($113,620/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($184,760)
  • Larger job market (25,170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,276)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Vallejo if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, accountant salaries in San Francisco grew 30.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 21.3% growth in Vallejo over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+30.8%

$84,680 (2019) → $110,730 (2025)

Vallejo, CA

+21.3%

$79,010 (2019) → $95,800 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: San Francisco or Vallejo?

San Francisco has a higher median accountant salary at $113,620/year, compared to Vallejo at $98,300/year — a difference of $15,320 (15.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Vallejo?

San Francisco accountants earn $54.63/hr while Vallejo hygienists earn $47.26/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Francisco to Vallejo as a accountant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Vallejo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $98,276, Vallejo = $90,617), job availability (25,170 vs 690 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level accountants earn in San Francisco vs Vallejo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $75,336 in San Francisco and $61,976 in Vallejo. The San Francisco area offers higher starting salaries.

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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