Accountant Salary in Redding, CA: $81,052 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Redding, CA earns a median $81,052/year (≈ $38.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Redding's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.7), that paycheck buys what $80,501 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.9% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Redding, California, the 2026 projected median annual salary for accountants is $81,052, showcasing a competitive position relative to the national median of $85,864. This city offers a diverse salary range, with entry-level accountants earning around $58,098, and seasoned professionals reaching as high as $131,166 per year. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting a solid local job market where 490 accountants are employed. As the demand for accounting professionals remains steady, the opportunities for career advancement and salary growth are expected to follow suit.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,098 | $27.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,107 | $32.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,052 | $38.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,995 | $50.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,166 | $63.06 |
Median Salary Position
5.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Redding
In Redding, CA, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,068 (2026 est.). At $81,052, the local median is 5.6% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Redding: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Redding Accountant Pay Compares
Redding median: $81,052/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Redding Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,134 | -5.90% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -5.60% less |
Accountants in Redding, CA earn a median of $81,052 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.60% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 5.90% below the California state average of $86,134.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Redding has a cost of living 0.68% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Redding, CA has a cost-of-living index of 100.684 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,052 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $80,501 — a 0.68% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,840
2025 BLS Actual
$78,990
2026 Current Est.
$81,052
2019–2027 Growth
+43.8%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Redding (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,052 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,167 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Redding metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 36.6% from $57,840 (2019) to $78,990 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,167 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,327 (43.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Redding 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) | $58,098 – $67,107 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,107 – $81,052 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,052 – $103,995 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,995 – $131,166 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Redding
While Redding's median salary may lag slightly behind the national standard, the local cost of living index of 100.684 indicates that the purchasing power of accountants in the area can be relatively favorable. Among employers, Big 4 public accounting firms hold the highest salary potential, although many accountants transition to corporate roles for better compensation and work-life balance after gaining experience. Various factors influence pay, such as licensing credentials and specialization, which can drive income variations. Those focused on maximizing their earnings should consider pursuing CPA licensure, engaging in networking with established firms, and exploring opportunities in high-demand niches such as forensic accounting or tax. Given these dynamics, Redding presents a distinctive environment for accounting professionals considering both immediate and long-term career trajectories.
More salary data for Redding, 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 $78,990 for accountantsin the Redding 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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