CPA in New York

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

Median annual salary

$101,780

trending_up +24.6% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, New York.

engineering

111,860

Jobs (NY)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,477

Est. total cost

schedule

1-3 years post-bachelor's degree

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in New York

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in New York, you must meet the requirements set by the New York State Board for Public Accountancy. This typically involves completing 150 semester hours of education, including a bachelor's degree with specific accounting and business coursework, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and accumulating 2000 hours (one year full-time or two years part-time) of supervised accounting experience. New York also offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in other states, provided they meet comparable licensing criteria and experience requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $62,430

25th percentile $78,730

50th (median) $101,780

75th percentile $134,990

90th (experienced) $178,500

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

checklist New York requirements

Licensing body	New York State Board for Public Accountancy
State license	Required
Education	Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours
Experience	2,000.0 hours
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,100)
Application fee	$427
Renewal	Every 3.0 years
Continuing education	120.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age is 21 years old. New York has specific coursework distribution requirements: 33 semester hours in accounting and 36 in general business. An alternative pathway requiring a bachelor's degree and 2 years of experience will be effective November 21, 2026. No separate ethics exam is required for initial licensure. Experience can be met in 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time.

Source: New York State Board for 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

~$1,477 investment ÷ $101,780 median salary

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

psychology

Wondering if a cpa career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as a cpa in New York? expand_more

The path to cpa licensure in New York: 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 ($427 fee).

Is a cpa license required in New York? expand_more

New York mandates state licensure for cpas. New York State Board for Public Accountancy oversees the process, which includes passing the Uniform CPA Examination.

What do cpas earn in New York? expand_more

The median cpa salary in New York is $101,780 per year. This exceeds the $81,680 national median by 25%. The range spans from $62,430 at the entry level to $178,500 for top earners.

How much does it cost to become a cpa in New York? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about $1,477, factoring in exam fee ($1,100) and application fee ($427) and required training.

How quickly can I become a cpa in New York? expand_more

In New York, becoming a cpa generally takes 1-3 years post-bachelor's degree, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

What's required to renew a cpa license in New York? expand_more

License renewal in New York requires completing 120.0 hours of continuing education on a 3.0-year cycle.