Accountant Salary in Glendale, CA: $86,634 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Glendale, CA earns a median $86,634/year (≈ $41.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Glendale's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $76,599 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, accountants in Glendale, California, can expect a median annual salary of $86,634, slightly above the national median of $85,864. This competitive figure reflects a salary range extending from $59,692 at the 10th percentile to $134,283 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and take into account local price adjustments in the region. A key factor influencing these figures is the CPA license, which significantly raises earning potential by facilitating a jump from staff to senior positions. This premium on licensure highlights the importance of credentials in a robust accounting job market like Glendale.
About the Glendale Market
Salary estimated from California average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,692 | $28.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,468 | $33.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,634 | $41.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,891 | $53.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,283 | $64.56 |
Median Salary Position
0.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Glendale
In Glendale, CA, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,591 (2026 est.). At $86,634, the local median is 0.9% above the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Glendale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Glendale Accountant Pay Compares
Glendale median: $86,634/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Glendale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,117 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | +0.90% more |
Accountants in Glendale, CA earn a median of $86,634 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.90% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 0.60% above the California state average of $86,117.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Glendale has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Glendale, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,634 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,599 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,191
2025 BLS Actual
$84,430
2026 Current Est.
$86,634
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Glendale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,191 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,219 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,942 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,699 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,596 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,064 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,430 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,634 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,895 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Glendale metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $72,191 (2019) to $84,430 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,895 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,704 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Glendale 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) | $59,692 – $70,468 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,468 – $86,634 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,634 – $110,891 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,891 – $134,283 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Glendale
Glendale's market supports around 36 employed accountants, a figure that contributes to its dynamic accounting landscape. However, the cost of living is above average, as indicated by a cost-of-living index of 113.1. This reality necessitates careful consideration of take-home pay, especially when comparing opportunities in different sectors. Among local employers, Big 4 firms such as Deloitte and PwC tend to offer the highest salaries, followed by regional CPA firms and corporate accounting departments. Variations in pay often stem from factors like the CPA license impact on compensation levels, the tier of the public firm, and specialization in areas such as tax or forensic accounting. In Glendale, maximizing pay potential can involve pursuing specialized skills, obtaining CPA certification, and considering the lucrative yet demanding public accounting roles during peak seasons.
More salary data for Glendale, 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 $84,430 for accountantsin the Glendale 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 Glendale 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