Bookkeepers vs Accountants salary

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual pay for Bookkeepers is $45,140, compared to the average annual salary of $83,980 for Accountants. This means that Accountants earn a significantly higher salary than Bookkeepers.

Nevertheless, it's worth mentioning that factors such as location, experience, and the specific workplace can affect salary. For example, Bookkeepers in Washington DC may have higher earnings (averaging $60,130 per annum) compared to those in South Dakota ($37,640). As another example, the average pay of Accountants in Washington DC is 68% higher compared to those in Nevada.

Bookkeepers vs Accountants overview

Bookkeepers and Accountants are two important roles in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry. Many people are interested in understanding the differences between these jobs, as well as the average salaries for each.

Bookkeeper job description

Alternative names: Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Bookkeepers compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

Bookkeeper education and experience

41% of Bookkeepers hold a High School Diploma, 21% hold a Post-Secondary Certificate, and 12% have a Bachelor's Degree. When it comes to experience, about a quarter of Bookkeeper occupations require a 4 to 6 years of previous work-related experience. A smaller number of roles (22%) require a previous experience of 2 to 4 years.

Bookkeeper average salary

As reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States had a workforce of 1.51M Bookkeepers in 2021 and they earned an average of $45,140 per year. The lowest earning 10 percent made $29,120 or less, and the highest earning 10 percent made $61,980 or more per year. Compared to the previous year, the mean salary has increased by 2.4%.

Do Bookkeepers make good money?

Bookkeepers are not typically highly paid, since their mean salary is 23% below the average salary in the United States ($58,260). Furthermore, they make about a half less than the mean earnings of the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry ($91,150).

Bookkeepers are not typically highly paid, since their mean salary is 23% below the average salary in the United States ($58,260).

Bookkeepers job growth

In 2021, there have been 65,430 more Bookkeeper roles than the previous year across the nation, and that marks a growth of 4.5%. The average job growth rate for the past 3 years has been -0.4%.

Accountant job description

Alternative names: Accountants and Auditors

Accountants examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

Accountant average salary

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that in 2021, there were 1.32M Accountants working in the United States, and on average, they earned $83,980 per year. The bottom 10 percent had earnings of $47,970 or less, and the top 10 percent had earnings of $128,970 or more. The average salary has grown by 2.8% compared the previous year.

Do Accountants make good money?

The average salary of Accountants is 44% higher than the average salary in the United States ($58,260). However, they earn 8% less than the average pay of the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry ($91,150).

The average salary of Accountants is 44% higher than the average salary in the United States ($58,260).

Accountants job growth

In 2021, there have been 43,930 more Accountant roles than the previous year nationwide, which marks a growth of 3.4%. Job growth has averaged 1.5% for the last 3 years.

FAQ

Do Bookkeepers or Accountants make more?

The average earnings of Accountants are 86% higher than those of Bookkeepers. The average annual salary for Bookkeepers is $45,140, compared to $83,980 for Accountants.