Increases in public accounting starting salaries for next year aren’t expected to even hit 6%, we reported a couple days ago after examining salary data from Robert Half’s 2022 and its newly released 2023 Accounting & Finance Salary Guides. At least those of you who work in/live within or near cities with the highest cost of living in the U.S. could see starting salaries in public accounting between 23% and 38% higher than the national averages in 2023.
What about cities that have a middle cost of living? What are their starting salary expectations for next year? Well, if you work/live in Chicago, Philadelphia, Nashville, Dallas, Phoenix, Portland, Denver, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Omaha, and Miami, you’re in luck! Those 12 cities are the focus of this post.
By using the “find your local salaries” feature in the salary guide, we were able to find the 2023 average starting salaries for each city and compared them with the national average starting salaries for public accounting (2023 national average -> the average for that city by percentile per position). In its 2023 salary guide, Robert Half provided starting pay data for eight positions within PA: four in tax services and four in audit and assurance services.
Reminder: Robert Half provides starting salaries for three percentiles based on employee experience. Those percentiles are:
- 25th percentile: New to the role, with little to no experience; requires more than casual instruction or supervision to perform day-to-day duties.
- 50th percentile: Has the experience to consistently perform core responsibilities without direct supervision; very comfortable with processes and subject matter associated with the role.
- 75th percentile: Value to the organization goes far beyond the ability to perform normal job duties; has rare qualifications that enable consistent contribution in unique ways; ready for next career level when available.
The Windy City saw the biggest projected starting salary increase compared to the national averages, while six others are expected to have double-digit increases next year. One city, though, is expected to have starting salaries in public accounting below the national averages.
Here are the 2023 public accounting starting salary comparisons for those 12 MCOL cities:
1. Chicago
Salaries in Chicago are 24% higher than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $118,500 -> $146,940
- 50th percentile: $146,250 -> $181,350
- 75th percentile: $175,750 -> $217,930
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $115,010
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $139,810
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $162,440
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $65,250 -> $80,910
- 50th percentile: $78,500 -> $97,340
- 75th percentile: $90,500 -> $112,220
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $51,250 -> $63,550
- 50th percentile: $63,000 -> $78,120
- 75th percentile: $72,750 -> $90,210
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $116,750 -> $144,770
- 50th percentile: $144,500 -> $179,180
- 75th percentile: $167,500 -> $207,700
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $80,000 -> $99,200
- 50th percentile: $100,000 -> $124,000
- 75th percentile: $114,000 -> $141,360
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,250 -> $70,990
- 50th percentile: $72,000 -> $89,280
- 75th percentile: $82,000 -> $101,680
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $48,500 -> $60,140
- 50th percentile: $59,750 -> $74,090
- 75th percentile: $68,750 -> $85,250
2. Philadelphia
Salaries in Philadelphia are 18% higher than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $118,500 -> $139,830
- 50th percentile: $146,250 -> $172,575
- 75th percentile: $175,750 -> $207,385
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $109,445
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $133,045
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $154,580
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $65,250 -> $76,995
- 50th percentile: $78,500 -> $92,630
- 75th percentile: $90,500 -> $106,790
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $51,250 -> $60,475
- 50th percentile: $63,000 -> $74,340
- 75th percentile: $72,750 -> $85,845
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $116,750 -> $137,765
- 50th percentile: $144,500 -> $170,510
- 75th percentile: $167,500 -> $197,650
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $80,000 -> $94,400
- 50th percentile: $100,000 -> $118,000
- 75th percentile: $114,000 -> $134,520
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,250 -> $67,555
- 50th percentile: $72,000 -> $84,960
- 75th percentile: $82,000 -> $96,760
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $48,500 -> $57,230
- 50th percentile: $59,750 -> $70,505
- 75th percentile: $68,750 -> $81,125
3. Denver
Salaries in Denver are 17% higher than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $118,500 -> $138,645
- 50th percentile: $146,250 -> $171,113
- 75th percentile: $175,750 -> $205,628
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $108,518
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $131,918
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $153,270
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $65,250 -> $76,343
- 50th percentile: $78,500 -> $91,845
- 75th percentile: $90,500 -> $105,885
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $51,250 -> $59,963
- 50th percentile: $63,000 -> $73,710
- 75th percentile: $72,750 -> $85,118
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $116,750 -> $136,598
- 50th percentile: $144,500 -> $169,065
- 75th percentile: $167,500 -> $195,975
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $80,000 -> $93,600
- 50th percentile: $100,000 -> $117,000
- 75th percentile: $114,000 -> $133,380
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,250 -> $66,983
- 50th percentile: $72,000 -> $84,240
- 75th percentile: $82,000 -> $95,940
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $48,500 -> $56,745
- 50th percentile: $59,750 -> $69,908
- 75th percentile: $68,750 -> $80,438
4. Dallas
Salaries in Dallas are 12% higher than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $118,500 -> $132,720
- 50th percentile: $146,250 -> $163,800
- 75th percentile: $175,750 -> $196,840
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $103,880
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $126,280
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $146,720
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $65,250 -> $73,080
- 50th percentile: $78,500 -> $87,920
- 75th percentile: $90,500 -> $101,360
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $51,250 -> $57,400
- 50th percentile: $63,000 -> $70,560
- 75th percentile: $72,750 -> $81,480
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $116,750 -> $130,760
- 50th percentile: $144,500 -> $161,840
- 75th percentile: $167,500 -> $187,600
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $80,000 -> $89,600
- 50th percentile: $100,000 -> $112,000
- 75th percentile: $114,000 -> $127,680
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,250 -> $64,120
- 50th percentile: $72,000 -> $80,640
- 75th percentile: $82,000 -> $91,840
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $48,500 -> $54,320
- 50th percentile: $59,750 -> $66,920
- 75th percentile: $68,750 -> $77,000
5. Portland, OR
Salaries in Portland are 11% higher than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $118,500 -> $131,535
- 50th percentile: $146,250 -> $162,338
- 75th percentile: $175,750 -> $195,083
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $102,953
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $125,153
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $145,410
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $65,250 -> $72,428
- 50th percentile: $78,500 -> $87,135
- 75th percentile: $90,500 -> $100,455
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $51,250 -> $56,888
- 50th percentile: $63,000 -> $69,930
- 75th percentile: $72,750 -> $80,753
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $116,750 -> $129,593
- 50th percentile: $144,500 -> $160,395
- 75th percentile: $167,500 -> $185,925
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $80,000 -> $88,800
- 50th percentile: $100,000 -> $111,000
- 75th percentile: $114,000 -> $126,540
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,250 -> $63,548
- 50th percentile: $72,000 -> $79,920
- 75th percentile: $82,000 -> $91,020
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $48,500 -> $53,835
- 50th percentile: $59,750 -> $66,323
- 75th percentile: $68,750 -> $76,313
6. Phoenix
7. Miami
Salaries in Phoenix and Miami are 10% higher than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $118,500 -> $130,350
- 50th percentile: $146,250 -> $160,875
- 75th percentile: $175,750 -> $193,325
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $102,025
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $124,025
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $144,100
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $65,250 -> $71,775
- 50th percentile: $78,500 -> $86,350
- 75th percentile: $90,500 -> $99,550
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $51,250 -> $56,375
- 50th percentile: $63,000 -> $69,300
- 75th percentile: $72,750 -> $80,025
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $116,750 -> $128,425
- 50th percentile: $144,500 -> $158,950
- 75th percentile: $167,500 -> $184,250
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $80,000 -> $88,000
- 50th percentile: $100,000 -> $110,000
- 75th percentile: $114,000 -> $125,400
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,250 -> $62,975
- 50th percentile: $72,000 -> $79,200
- 75th percentile: $82,000 -> $90,200
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $48,500 -> $53,350
- 50th percentile: $59,750 -> $65,725
- 75th percentile: $68,750 -> $75,625
8. Atlanta
Salaries in Atlanta are 7.5% higher than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $118,500 -> $127,388
- 50th percentile: $146,250 -> $157,219
- 75th percentile: $175,750 -> $188,931
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $99,706
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $121,206
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $140,825
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $65,250 -> $70,144
- 50th percentile: $78,500 -> $84,388
- 75th percentile: $90,500 -> $97,288
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $51,250 -> $55,094
- 50th percentile: $63,000 -> $67,725
- 75th percentile: $72,750 -> $78,206
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $116,750 -> $125,506
- 50th percentile: $144,500 -> $155,338
- 75th percentile: $167,500 -> $180,063
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $80,000 -> $86,000
- 50th percentile: $100,000 -> $107,500
- 75th percentile: $114,000 -> $122,550
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,250 -> $61,544
- 50th percentile: $72,000 -> $77,400
- 75th percentile: $82,000 -> $88,150
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $48,500 -> $52,138
- 50th percentile: $59,750 -> $64,231
- 75th percentile: $68,750 -> $73,906
9. Minneapolis
Salaries in Minneapolis are 7% higher than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $118,500 -> $126,795
- 50th percentile: $146,250 -> $156,488
- 75th percentile: $175,750 -> $188,053
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $99,243
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $120,643
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $140,170
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $65,250 -> $69,818
- 50th percentile: $78,500 -> $83,995
- 75th percentile: $90,500 -> $96,835
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $51,250 -> $54,838
- 50th percentile: $63,000 -> $67,410
- 75th percentile: $72,750 -> $77,843
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $116,750 -> $124,923
- 50th percentile: $144,500 -> $154,615
- 75th percentile: $167,500 -> $179,225
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $80,000 -> $85,600
- 50th percentile: $100,000 -> $107,000
- 75th percentile: $114,000 -> $121,980
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,250 -> $61,258
- 50th percentile: $72,000 -> $77,040
- 75th percentile: $82,000 -> $87,740
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $48,500 -> $51,895
- 50th percentile: $59,750 -> $63,933
- 75th percentile: $68,750 -> $73,563
10. Las Vegas
Salaries in Las Vegas are 6% higher than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $118,500 -> $125,610
- 50th percentile: $146,250 -> $155,025
- 75th percentile: $175,750 -> $186,295
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $98,315
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $119,515
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $138,860
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $65,250 -> $69,165
- 50th percentile: $78,500 -> $83,210
- 75th percentile: $90,500 -> $95,930
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $51,250 -> $54,325
- 50th percentile: $63,000 -> $66,780
- 75th percentile: $72,750 -> $77,115
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $116,750 -> $123,755
- 50th percentile: $144,500 -> $153,170
- 75th percentile: $167,500 -> $177,550
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $80,000 -> $84,800
- 50th percentile: $100,000 -> $106,000
- 75th percentile: $114,000 -> $120,840
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,250 -> $60,685
- 50th percentile: $72,000 -> $76,320
- 75th percentile: $82,000 -> $86,920
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $48,500 -> $51,410
- 50th percentile: $59,750 -> $63,335
- 75th percentile: $68,750 -> $72,875
11. Nashville
Salaries in Nashville are 2% higher than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $118,500 -> $120,870
- 50th percentile: $146,250 -> $149,175
- 75th percentile: $175,750 -> $179,265
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $94,605
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $115,005
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $133,620
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $65,250 -> $66,555
- 50th percentile: $78,500 -> $80,070
- 75th percentile: $90,500 -> $92,310
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $51,250 -> $52,275
- 50th percentile: $63,000 -> $64,260
- 75th percentile: $72,750 -> $74,205
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $116,750 -> $119,085
- 50th percentile: $144,500 -> $147,390
- 75th percentile: $167,500 -> $170,850
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $80,000 -> $81,600
- 50th percentile: $100,000 -> $102,000
- 75th percentile: $114,000 -> $116,280
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,250 -> $58,395
- 50th percentile: $72,000 -> $73,440
- 75th percentile: $82,000 -> $83,640
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $48,500 -> $49,470
- 50th percentile: $59,750 -> $60,945
- 75th percentile: $68,750 -> $70,125
12. Omaha
Salaries in Omaha are 3% lower than the national average.
Senior manager/director tax services
- 25th percentile: $118,500 -> $114,945
- 50th percentile: $146,250 -> $141,863
- 75th percentile: $175,750 -> $170,478
Manager of tax services
- 25th percentile: $92,750 -> $89,968
- 50th percentile: $112,750 -> $109,368
- 75th percentile: $131,000 -> $127,070
Senior tax associate
- 25th percentile: $65,250 -> $63,293
- 50th percentile: $78,500 -> $76,145
- 75th percentile: $90,500 -> $87,785
Tax associate
- 25th percentile: $51,250 -> $49,713
- 50th percentile: $63,000 -> $61,110
- 75th percentile: $72,750 -> $70,568
Senior manager/managing director, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $116,750 -> $113,248
- 50th percentile: $144,500 -> $140,165
- 75th percentile: $167,500 -> $162,475
Manager, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $80,000 -> $77,600
- 50th percentile: $100,000 -> $97,000
- 75th percentile: $114,000 -> $110,580
Senior associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $57,250 -> $55,533
- 50th percentile: $72,000 -> $69,840
- 75th percentile: $82,000 -> $79,540
Associate, audit and assurance services
- 25th percentile: $48,500 -> $47,045
- 50th percentile: $59,750 -> $57,958
- 75th percentile: $68,750 -> $66,688
Next week, we’ll take a look at 2023 public accounting starting salary comparisons for several low cost-of-living cities.
Related articles:
How Are Public Accounting Salaries Stacking Up For 2023? (Part 1, Robert Half)
Here Are the Projected 2023 Public Accounting Starting Salaries in Eight HCOL Cities
