Accountant Salary in El Monte, CA: $88,352 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in El Monte, CA earns a median $88,352/year (≈ $42.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in El Monte's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $78,118 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In El Monte, California, the projected median salary for accountants in 2026 is $88,352, reflecting a slight increase over the national median of $85,864. This figure falls within a salary range between $57,040 at the 10th percentile and $136,946 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse compensation levels based on experience and specialization. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight the financial potential for accounting professionals in this area. The job market in El Monte is characterized by a distinct structural divide, where positions at the Big 4 firms may command higher salaries than roles within regional CPA firms or corporate settings, thereby influencing overall accountant compensation in the region.
About the El Monte Market
Salary estimated from California average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,040 | $27.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,692 | $33.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,352 | $42.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,091 | $54.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136,946 | $65.83 |
Median Salary Position
2.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in El Monte
In El Monte, CA, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,906 (2026 est.). At $88,352, the local median is 2.9% above the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in El Monte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How El Monte Accountant Pay Compares
El Monte median: $88,352/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | El Monte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,113 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | +2.90% more |
Accountants in El Monte, CA earn a median of $88,352 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.90% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 2.60% above the California state average of $86,113.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
El Monte has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
El Monte, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $88,352 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $78,118 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,623
2025 BLS Actual
$86,105
2026 Current Est.
$88,352
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in El Monte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,623 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,692 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,489 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,195 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,366 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,105 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,352 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,658 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the El Monte metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $73,623 (2019) to $86,105 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,658 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,035 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the El Monte 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) | $57,040 – $68,692 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,692 – $88,352 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,352 – $113,091 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,091 – $136,946 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in El Monte
El Monte's job market for accountants is relatively stable, with approximately 20 professionals employed in the field, yet the cost of living index of 113.1 suggests that the purchasing power for these salaries may be slightly constrained compared to national averages. Major employers, such as the Big 4 firms and mid-tier CPA companies, tend to provide the highest compensation packages, particularly for those with specialized skills in tax, forensic, or valuation services. The disparity in wages also reflects factors such as the CPA license, with higher-paying positions often requiring this credential, and industry-specific roles offering lucrative bonus structures that can significantly impact total earnings. To maximize compensation in the local market, accountants should consider pursuing advanced certifications, networking within the Big 4 pipeline, and being prepared for the demanding workloads typical during busy seasons, which can offer overtime and performance incentives.
More salary data for El Monte, 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 $86,105 for accountantsin the El Monte 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 El Monte 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