The salary of a Cost Accountant I in the United States varies depending on several factors, including experience, location, education level, marketing trend and company sizes.
As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Cost Accountant I in the United States is $67,495. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $57,578 to a high of $84,242, with most professionals earning between $62,304 and $76,261.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $76,261 | $6,355 | $1,467 | $37 |
| Average | $67,495 | $5,625 | $1,298 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,304 | $5,192 | $1,198 | $30 |
An entry-level Cost Accountant I with less than 1 year of experience earns about $67,108. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $67,757. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $69,719. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $70,112, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $70,373.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Cost Accountant I | $67,108 |
| Intermediate Level Cost Accountant I | $67,757 |
| Senior Level Cost Accountant I | $69,719 |
| Specialist Level Cost Accountant I | $70,112 |
| Expert Level Cost Accountant I | $70,373 |
| Entry Level | 1% |
| Mid Level | 0% |
| Senior Level | 3% |
| Top Level | 4% |
| Experienced | 4% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Cost Accountant I compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $57,899 in 2023 to approximately $56,946 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Cost Accountant I salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Cost Accountant I information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Cost Accountant I job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Cost Accountant I and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $67,495 | 69.5% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $5,163 | 5.3% | ||
| 401K/403B | $2,835 | 2.9% | ||
| Disability | $1,350 | 1.4% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 8.6% | ||
| Pension | $3,645 | 3.8% | ||
| Time Off | $8,307 | 8.6% | ||
| Total Compensation | $97,147 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.6% |
| High School | 7.1% |
| Associates | 6.5% |
| Bachelors | 70.0% |
| Masters | 15.8% |
What Am I Worth?
The average annual salary of Cost Accountant I is $67,495. In case you are finding an easy salary calculator, the average hourly pay of Cost Accountant I is $32; the average weekly pay of Cost Accountant I is $1,298; the average monthly pay of Cost Accountant I is $5,625.
A Cost Accountant I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Cost Accountant I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Cost Accountant I is $85,131.
The highest pay for Cost Accountant I is $84,242.
The lowest pay for Cost Accountant I is $57,578.
Determines and implements cost accounting procedures and methods. Responsible for the preparation and analysis of cost reports and costing audits. Examines and reviews unusual cost records and ensures cost data is allocated correctly. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Work is closely managed.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
CPA: A CPA, or Certified Public Accountant, is a trusted financial advisor who helps individuals, businesses, and other organizations plan and reach their financial goals.
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles: Helping and maintaining accounting rules and standards for financial reporting to ensure consistency and transparency.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
