CertOutlook
Professional

CPA

Certified Public Accountants handle auditing, tax preparation, financial planning, and business consulting. The CPA license is one of the most rigorous professional certifications — requiring 150 semester hours of college education (more than a bachelor's degree), passing the four-part Uniform CPA Exam, and completing supervised work experience. CPAs work in public accounting firms, corporations, government, and private practice.

National median salary
$81,680
trending_up +4.6% 10-yr outlook

BLS OEWS, most recent release.

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Time to certify

1-3 years post-bachelor's degree
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Required exam

Uniform CPA Examination
payments

Exam cost

$1,009–$1,722
school

Education

Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours
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Renewal

Every 2 yrs
work

Annual openings

124,200

What it's actually like

A day-to-day reality check, grounded in current practitioner sources — not just the salary math.

schedule

Hours / week

40-60
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Shift length

8-12 hours
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Weekends

varies
domain

Where you work

accounting firms, corporate offices +2 more

checklist A typical shift

  • check_circle Examine financial statements to ensure accuracy and compliance with laws and regulations.
  • check_circle Prepare and file individual and corporate tax returns, ensuring compliance with tax laws.
  • check_circle Analyze financial data to identify trends, assess financial health, and provide recommendations for improvement.
  • check_circle Meet with clients to discuss their financial goals, tax planning, and accounting needs.
  • check_circle Stay updated on changing tax laws and accounting regulations through continuing education.
  • check_circle Manage budgets, forecast future income and expenses, and provide financial advice.
  • check_circle Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency and to identify potential risks.

Physical demand

Low

The role primarily involves sitting for long periods while working on a computer.

Stress level

High

Stress often stems from tight deadlines, high workloads, especially during tax season, and the pressure to maintain accuracy.

thumb_up Best fit if

  • add_circle You are highly organized and detail-oriented, capable of managing large amounts of financial data and meeting strict deadlines.
  • add_circle You possess strong ethical standards and can be trusted with sensitive financial information.
  • add_circle You enjoy problem-solving and can analyze complex financial information to provide actionable advice.
  • add_circle You are a strong communicator who can explain complex financial concepts to clients and colleagues.

thumb_down Skip if

  • do_not_disturb_on You are not prepared to work long hours, including evenings and weekends, especially during peak seasons.
  • do_not_disturb_on You find it difficult to work under pressure and handle the stress of tight deadlines and high-stakes financial reporting.
  • do_not_disturb_on You are not committed to continuous learning to keep up with ever-changing tax laws and regulations.
  • do_not_disturb_on You prefer a career with a tangible, visible end product rather than providing advisory services and reports.
Sources cited (21)

The Landscape

Conversely, the lowest median salaries are typically found in the Southern and some Midwestern states, such as Mississippi ($64,170) and Arkansas ($64,180). A notable outlier is Hawaii ($67,820), which, despite its high cost of living, offers significantly lower CPA salaries compared to other high-COL areas, likely due to a smaller, more isolated market. While all states require licensing to use the CPA title, the path to obtaining it varies considerably, with some states like Connecticut and Alaska requiring 4,000 hours of experience, double the more common 2,000-hour standard, while Pennsylvania stands out with a lower 1,600-hour requirement.

Beyond experience hours, candidates should be aware of state-specific nuances: some require additional ethics exams (like California or Texas), while others (New York, Florida) have very specific coursework distribution requirements. These differences can significantly impact the time and effort needed to become licensed, making initial state selection a strategic decision.

CPA by State

Click any state for detailed requirements & ROI.

State License Median vs. National
Alabama Yes $71,070 -13.0%
Alaska Yes $81,950 +0.3%
Arizona Yes $78,620 -3.7%
Arkansas Yes $64,180 -21.4%
California Yes $96,360 +18.0%
Colorado Yes $90,030 +10.2%
Connecticut Yes $89,630 +9.7%
Delaware Yes $84,560 +3.5%
District of Columbia Yes $103,030 +26.1%
Florida Yes $78,470 -3.9%
Georgia Yes $80,100 -1.9%
Hawaii Yes $67,820 -17.0%
Idaho Yes $64,840 -20.6%
Illinois Yes $79,300 -2.9%
Indiana Yes $77,410 -5.2%
Iowa Yes $74,290 -9.0%
Kansas Yes $76,400 -6.5%
Kentucky Yes $72,220 -11.6%
Louisiana Yes $69,540 -14.9%
Maine Yes $77,680 -4.9%
Maryland Yes $84,890 +3.9%
Massachusetts Yes $96,580 +18.2%
Michigan Yes $77,720 -4.8%
Minnesota Yes $81,100 -0.7%
Mississippi Yes $64,170 -21.4%
Missouri Yes $73,210 -10.4%
Montana Yes $74,400 -8.9%
Nebraska Yes $69,980 -14.3%
Nevada Yes $78,220 -4.2%
New Hampshire Yes $82,830 +1.4%
New Jersey Yes $101,340 +24.1%
New Mexico Yes $77,420 -5.2%
New York Yes $101,780 +24.6%
North Carolina Yes $80,490 -1.5%
North Dakota Yes $72,180 -11.6%
Ohio Yes $77,640 -4.9%
Oklahoma Yes $76,820 -6.0%
Oregon Yes $81,130 -0.7%
Pennsylvania Yes $77,330 -5.3%
Rhode Island Yes $90,040 +10.2%
South Carolina Yes $73,180 -10.4%
South Dakota Yes $77,310 -5.4%
Tennessee Yes $75,500 -7.6%
Texas Yes $80,000 -2.1%
Utah Yes $75,100 -8.1%
Vermont Yes $76,990 -5.7%
Virginia Yes $84,190 +3.1%
Washington Yes $96,180 +17.8%
West Virginia Yes $74,520 -8.8%
Wisconsin Yes $78,150 -4.3%
Wyoming Yes $77,400 -5.2%