How Much Money Do Bookkeepers Make?
Written by Ben Robinson
Position
One of the most important considerations of those who want to become a bookkeeper is the average bookkeeper salary. Today’s article shares how much bookkeepers make across the United States.
RELATED: The 9 Bookkeeping Basics Every Bookkeeper Should Know
In this article:
Bookkeeper Salary: Which States Offer the Highest and Lowest Average Bookkeeper Salaries?
Factors That Affect Bookkeeper Salary
The average hourly bookkeeper base salary in the United States is around $17.10, according to indeed.com. Salaries across different states range from $13.17 an hour to $21.83 per hour, which depend on several factors such as:
- Where the business is located
- The size of the business
- Scope of responsibilities of the bookkeeper
- The bookkeeper’s skills and experiences, including proficiencies with accounting software and spreadsheets
- Ability to work with little or no supervision
- Speed and accuracy of work
Meanwhile, the average hourly salary for full charge bookkeepers ranges from $17.56 to $27.12, with the average hourly rate at $20.85.
What is a Full Charge Bookkeeper? A full charge bookkeeper differs from a bookkeeper since they also perform accounting tasks. These accounting tasks include preparing financial statements and filing taxes. Full charge bookkeepers typically work for small-to- medium-sized businesses and can be assisted by an external CPA on more complex transactions.
1. 10 States That Offer the Highest Average Hourly Bookkeeper Salary
Massachusetts is the state with the highest average bookkeeper salary in the United States. Bookkeepers in this state earn an average salary of $21.83 per hour.
Alaska has the second-highest average bookkeeper salary in the United States with an average hourly rate of $20.60. California comes in at third, with an average hourly rate of $20.21 for bookkeepers.
Here are the top ten states in terms of average hourly bookkeeper salaries:
- Massachusetts – $21.83
- Alaska – $20.60
- California – $20.21
- Washington – $19.67
- Maryland – $19.62
- New York – $19.42
- Connecticut – $19.37
- Vermont – $19.03
- Colorado – $18.93
- New Jersey – $18.68
2. 10 States With the Lowest Average Hourly Bookkeeper Salaries
Mississippi has the lowest average hourly rate for bookkeepers at only $13.17. Kentucky and West Virginia have the second-lowest at $14.19 per hour and third-lowest at $14.44, respectively.
The following are the bottom ten states in terms of average hourly salary for bookkeepers:
1. Mississippi – $13.17
2. Kentucky – $14.19
3. West Virginia – $14.44
4. Arkansas – $14.70
5. South Carolina – $15.09
6. Alabama – $15.12
7. South Dakota – $15.31
8. Idaho – $15.50
9./10. Kansas and Iowa – $15.90
3. 10 States With the Highest Average Hourly Salary for Full Charge Bookkeepers
When it comes to which state offers the highest average hourly salary for full charge bookkeepers, New York claims the top spot at $27.12. It’s followed by Maryland and New Jersey, offering an average hourly rate of $25.72 and $25.05 respectively.
Here are the 10 states where full charge bookkeepers have the highest hourly rate:
- New York – $27.12
- Maryland – $25.72
- New Jersey – $25.05
- Colorado – $24.95
- Massachusetts – $24.72
- Illinois – $23.19
- California – $22.80
- Florida – $22.80
- Pennsylvania – $22.49
- Hawaii – $21.82
RELATED: What Is Bookkeeping — Explained
4. 10 States With the Lowest Average Hourly Salary for Full Charge Bookkeepers
When it comes to the states where full charge bookkeepers are paid the lowest, Utah tops the list at $17.56. It’s followed by Indiana and Nevada at $17.65 and $17.75, respectively.
Here the 10 states where full charge bookkeepers have the lowest hourly rate:
- Utah – $17.56
- Indiana – $17.65
- Nevada – $17.75
- New Mexico – $18.06
- Oklahoma – $18.33
- Wisconsin – $18.39
- Michigan – $18.51
- Ohio – $18.60
- Arkansas – $18.76
- Missouri – $18.84
5. Ranking Bookkeeper Salary Based on Region
Of all four regions in the United States, the Northeast region has the highest average hourly rate for bookkeepers at $18.72. This is $1.62 higher than the national hourly average base salary for bookkeepers.
In the Western region, the average hourly rate for bookkeepers is $17.93. This is almost the same as the $17.10 national hourly average base salary for bookkeepers.
The Midwest and Southern regions, with $16.60 and $15.89 average hourly bookkeeper rates, respectively, are below the national average.
Bookkeeper Salary in All 50 States
Average Hourly Rates
The following are the average hourly rates of bookkeepers across the U.S., according to the job site indeed.com. The annual salary assumes 8-hour workdays, 5-day workweeks, and 4-week work months.
| State | Average Hourly Rate | Average Annual Salary |
| Alabama | $15.12 | $29,030.40 |
| Alaska | $20.60 | $39,552.00 |
| Arizona | $17.26 | $33,139.20 |
| Arkansas | $14.70 | $28,224.00 |
| California | $20.21 | $38,803.20 |
| Colorado | $18.93 | $36,345.60 |
| Connecticut | $19.37 | $37,190.40 |
| Delaware | $16.38 | $31,449.60 |
| Florida | $16.41 | $31,507.20 |
| Georgia | $16.11 | $30,931.20 |
| Hawaii | $17.63 | $33,849.60 |
| Idaho | $15.50 | $29,760.00 |
| Illinois | $17.31 | $33,235.20 |
| Indiana | $15.99 | $30,700.80 |
| Iowa | $15.90 | $30,528.00 |
| Kansas | $15.90 | $30,528.00 |
| Kentucky | $14.19 | $27,244.80 |
| Louisiana | $16.04 | $30,796.80 |
| Maine | $17.23 | $33,081.60 |
| Maryland | $19.62 | $37,670.40 |
| Massachusetts | $21.83 | $41,913.60 |
| Michigan | $16.42 | $31,526.40 |
| Minnesota | $18.63 | $35,769.60 |
| Mississippi | $13.17 | $25,286.40 |
| Missouri | $16.13 | $30,969.60 |
| Montana | $16.79 | $32,236.80 |
| Nebraska | $16.42 | $31,526.40 |
| Nevada | $17.09 | $32,812.80 |
| New Hampshire | $17.35 | $33,312.00 |
| New Jersey | $18.68 | $35,865.60 |
| New Mexico | $16.25 | $31,200.00 |
| New York | $19.42 | $37,286.40 |
| North Carolina | $16.42 | $31,526.40 |
| North Dakota | $16.78 | $32,217.60 |
| Ohio | $17.98 | $34,521.60 |
| Oklahoma | $16.05 | $30,816.00 |
| Oregon | $18.67 | $35,846.40 |
| Pennsylvania | $17.67 | $33,926.40 |
| Rhode Island | $17.94 | $34,444.80 |
| South Carolina | $15.09 | $28,972.80 |
| South Dakota | $15.31 | $29,395.20 |
| Tennessee | $16.12 | $30,950.40 |
| Texas | $16.80 | $32,256.00 |
| Utah | $16.38 | $31,449.60 |
| Vermont | $19.03 | $36,537.60 |
| Virginia | $17.57 | $33,734.40 |
| Washington | $19.67 | $37,766.40 |
| West Virginia | $14.44 | $27,724.80 |
| Wisconsin | $16.41 | $31,507.20 |
| Wyoming | $18.13 | $34,809.60 |
Average Full Charge Bookkeeper Salary per Hour
According to the job site Indeed, the average full charge bookkeeper salary in the United States is $46,090. Here’s a list of the average full charge bookkeeper salary in many of the states across the country.
| State | Average Hourly Rate | Average Annual Salary |
| Alabama | $19.26 | $36,985.00 |
| Arizona | $19.38 | $37,209.60 |
| Arkansas | $18.76 | $36,021.00 |
| California | $22.80 | $43,776.00 |
| Colorado | $24.95 | $47,903.00 |
| Florida | $22.80 | $43,771.00 |
| Georgia | $19.79 | $37,996.80 |
| Hawaii | $21.82 | $41,894.40 |
| Illinois | $23.19 | $44,519.00 |
| Indiana | $17.65 | $33,888.00 |
| Kansas | $20.14 | $38,668.80 |
| Kentucky | $20.92 | $40,157.00 |
| Louisiana | $20.87 | $40,077.00 |
| Maryland | $25.72 | $49,389.00 |
| Massachusetts | $24.72 | $47,462.40 |
| Michigan | $18.51 | $35,539.20 |
| Minnesota | $19.98 | $38,361.60 |
| Missouri | $18.84 | $36,167.00 |
| Nevada | $17.75 | $34,080.00 |
| New Jersey | $25.05 | $48,101.00 |
| New Mexico | $18.06 | $34,675.20 |
| New York | $27.12 | $52,075.00 |
| North Carolina | $21.25 | $40,809.00 |
| Ohio | $18.60 | $35,712.00 |
| Oklahoma | $18.33 | $35,193.60 |
| Oregon | $20.35 | $39,072.00 |
| Pennsylvania | $22.49 | $43,189.00 |
| Tennessee | $20.97 | $40,267.00 |
| Texas | $20.17 | $38,727.00 |
| Utah | $17.56 | $33,715.20 |
| Virginia | $20.34 | $39,052.80 |
| Washington | $21.67 | $41,606.40 |
| Wisconsin | $18.39 | $35,308.80 |
Depending on the state, the average bookkeeper salary can help you live a 3F lifestyle, especially if you become a full charge bookkeeper. I hope this guide helps you learn how much you can expect to earn should you decide to become a bookkeeper.
Which state are you working or planning to work as a bookkeeper? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Disclaimer: Please note that the bookkeeper salary figures on this list are subject to change without further notice based on updates on Indeed.com. Please refer to the link for the actual figures. All figures on this list are accurate as of December 26, 2019.
