CPA in Massachusetts

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$96,580

trending_up +18.2% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Massachusetts.

engineering

45,520

Jobs (MA)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,275

Est. total cost

schedule

6-7 years

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in Massachusetts

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Massachusetts, candidates must meet education, examination, and experience requirements set by the Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy. This typically involves completing 150 semester hours of college coursework, including a bachelor's degree, and passing the Uniform CPA Examination. Additionally, candidates need to accumulate 2,000 hours of qualifying accounting experience, which can be in public or non-public accounting, before applying for licensure.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $64,370

25th percentile $77,280

50th (median) $96,580

75th percentile $122,020

90th (experienced) $152,960

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Massachusetts. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Massachusetts requirements

Licensing body	Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy
State license	Required
Education	Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours
Experience	2,000.0 hours
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,631)
Application fee	$195
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	80.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age 18. Experience must be 2,000 hours in public accounting (1-3 years) or non-public accounting (3-9 years). Public accounting experience is required for those seeking to sign attest reports. 4 hours of professional ethics CPE are required per renewal cycle. Three character reference letters are required for licensure. No ethics exam is required. U.S. citizenship is not required, and there is no residency requirement for exam takers.

Source: Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.6%

Faster than average

Annual openings

124,200

Nationwide per year

Total employment

1,579,800

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 1.48/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period

0 months

~$1,275 investment ÷ $96,580 median salary

check_circleMassachusetts license required — clearer credential signal to employers
warningElevated AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a cpa career is the right fit?

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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a cpa in Massachusetts? expand_more

In Massachusetts, becoming a cpa requires you to complete the required education (Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours), gain 2,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($195 fee).

Does Massachusetts require cpa licensure? expand_more

A state license is required in Massachusetts. Massachusetts Board of Public Accountancy handles cpa licensing — the Uniform CPA Examination is part of the process.

What is the average cpa salary in Massachusetts? expand_more

In Massachusetts, the median pay for cpas comes to $96,580/year. That's 18% above the national median of $81,680. New cpas start around $64,370; seasoned professionals can reach $152,960.

What are the fees to become a cpa in Massachusetts? expand_more

Plan on spending $1,275 total — that covers exam fee ($1,631) and application fee ($195) plus your education and training.

How quickly can I become a cpa in Massachusetts? expand_more

The typical timeline in Massachusetts is 6-7 years. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

What are the continuing education requirements for cpas in Massachusetts? expand_more

Yes — cpas in Massachusetts must complete 80.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.