Accountant Salary in Brea, CA: $81,699 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Brea, CA earns a median $81,699/year (≈ $39.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Brea's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $72,236 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, accountants in Brea, California, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $81,699, reflecting the growing demand for financial expertise in the region. The salary range for accountants shows considerable variation, from $57,027 at the 10th percentile to $126,634 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations, putting Brea's compensation slightly below the national median of $85,864. The accounting profession in Brea offers pathways to enhanced pay through CPA licensure, which frequently results in a significant pay increase from entry-level to senior positions, demonstrating just how critical professional credentials are in this market.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,027 | $27.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,354 | $31.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,699 | $39.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,575 | $50.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,634 | $60.88 |
Median Salary Position
4.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brea
In Brea, CA, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,607 (2026 est.). At $81,699, the local median is 4.85% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brea: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brea Accountant Pay Compares
Brea median: $81,699/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,090 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -4.85% less |
Accountants in Brea, CA earn a median of $81,699 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.85% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 5.10% below the California state average of $86,090.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brea has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brea, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,699 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,236 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,079
2025 BLS Actual
$79,621
2026 Current Est.
$81,699
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Brea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,079 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,992 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,503 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,217 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,005 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,453 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,621 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,699 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,831 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brea metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $68,079 (2019) to $79,621 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,831 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,752 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brea metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.61% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $57,027 – $66,354 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,354 – $81,699 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,699 – $104,575 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,575 – $126,634 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Brea
While the accounting job market in Brea sees only 10 professionals currently employed, competition for positions can still be notable, especially among the Big 4 firms like Deloitte and PwC, which are known for offering some of the highest salaries in the industry. The area's cost of living index of 113.1 also plays a crucial role in shaping how much take-home pay translates to purchasing power, meaning that despite average salaries, lifestyle choices in Brea might require careful budgeting. Accountants looking to maximize their earnings should focus on obtaining their CPA license, as this is a primary driver of income potential, and consider seeking positions in larger firms or specializing in high-demand areas like forensic accounting or tax. As many professionals transition to industry roles after a few years in public accounting, the balancing act between prestige and compensation is essential when determining career paths in Brea, CA.
More salary data for Brea, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $79,621 for accountantsin the Brea metropolitan area. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brea is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov