Accountant Salary in Burbank, CA: $85,047 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Burbank, CA earns a median $85,047/year (≈ $40.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Burbank's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $75,196 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, accountants in Burbank, California, can expect a median annual salary of $85,047, which is slightly lower than the national median of $85,864. The salary range for this profession is quite broad, spanning from $53,733 at the 10th percentile to $131,823 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability in compensation based on experience and specialization. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflect the ongoing growth in this field as the annual salary is projected to experience a growth rate of 2.61% over five years. With the presence of both public accounting firms and corporate roles, Burbank’s job market offers diverse opportunities, impacting the potential lifetime compensation of accountants transitioning from public to private sectors.
About the Burbank Market
Salary estimated from California average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,733 | $25.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,492 | $31.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,047 | $40.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,861 | $52.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,823 | $63.37 |
Median Salary Position
0.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burbank
In Burbank, CA, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,090 (2026 est.). At $85,047, the local median is 0.95% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burbank: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burbank Accountant Pay Compares
Burbank median: $85,047/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burbank Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,080 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -0.95% less |
Accountants in Burbank, CA earn a median of $85,047 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.95% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 1.20% below the California state average of $86,080.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burbank has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burbank, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,047 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,196 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,869
2025 BLS Actual
$82,884
2026 Current Est.
$85,047
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Burbank (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,869 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,515 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,258 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,938 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,884 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,047 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,267 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burbank metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $70,869 (2019) to $82,884 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,267 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,398 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burbank 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) | $53,733 – $65,492 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,492 – $85,047 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,047 – $108,861 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,861 – $131,823 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Burbank
Amid the evolving landscape of the accounting profession in Burbank, the local job market supports 22 accountants, servicing a community characterized by a cost-of-living index of 113.1, which exceeds the national average. This higher cost of living necessitates careful consideration of take-home pay when evaluating accountant salaries. Employers such as Big 4 firms tend to offer the highest pay scales, particularly for entry-level accountants, with significant compensation benefits influencing the choice of career path. The disparity in earnings is influenced by various factors, including the CPA license, experience level, firm tier, and specialization in areas like tax or forensic accounting. For accountants looking to maximize their earnings, strategies such as pursuing CPA licensure, seeking positions in prestigious firms, and capitalizing on busy-season opportunities can significantly impact overall salary potential. Understanding the pay dynamics within Burbank's accounting sector is essential for navigating one’s career trajectory effectively.
More salary data for Burbank, 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 $82,884 for accountantsin the Burbank 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 Burbank 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