CPA in Pennsylvania

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

Median annual salary

$77,330

trending_down -5.3% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Pennsylvania.

engineering

54,440

Jobs (PA)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,165

Est. total cost

schedule

Varies (typically 1-3 years post-bachelor's degree for education, exam, and experience)

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in Pennsylvania

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Pennsylvania, candidates must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements set by the Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy. This typically involves a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours of education, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and completing 1,600 hours of relevant work experience. Pennsylvania also offers reciprocity for out-of-state CPAs and automatic mobility for those meeting specific criteria.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $48,850

25th percentile $60,780

50th (median) $77,330

75th percentile $99,140

90th (experienced) $128,300

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

checklist Pennsylvania requirements

Licensing body	Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy
State license	Required
Education	Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, including specific accounting and business-related credits. Three pathways exist: 150 semester hours and 1 year (1,600 hours) experience; Master's degree and 1 year (1,600 hours) experience; or Bachelor's degree (120 credits) and 2 years (3,200 hours) experience.
Experience	1,600.0 hours
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,423)
Application fee	$65
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	80.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age of 18 and good moral character required. No ethics exam is required. Initial exam application fee is $93. An additional $96 fee is required to submit the exam application. Must pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination within a 30-month window. If providing attest services, 24 hours of CPE must be in accounting and auditing. A minimum of 20 CPE hours must be completed each year of the biennial cycle. No more than 40 self-study CPE hours are allowed per cycle. Background checks may be required.

Source: Pennsylvania State Board of 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

~$1,165 investment ÷ $77,330 median salary

check_circlePennsylvania 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

How do I become a cpa in Pennsylvania? expand_more

In Pennsylvania, becoming a cpa requires you to complete the required education (Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, including specific accounting and business-related credits. Three pathways exist: 150 semester hours and 1 year (1,600 hours) experience; Master's degree and 1 year (1,600 hours) experience; or Bachelor's degree (120 credits) and 2 years (3,200 hours) experience.), gain 1,600.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($65 fee).

Does Pennsylvania require cpa licensure? expand_more

Yes, Pennsylvania requires a state license to practice as a cpa. The licensing body is Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy. You must pass the Uniform CPA Examination.

How much does a cpa make in Pennsylvania? expand_more

In Pennsylvania, the median pay for cpas comes to $77,330/year. That's 5% below the national median of $81,680. New cpas start around $48,850; seasoned professionals can reach $128,300.

What's the total cost to get cpa certified in Pennsylvania? expand_more

Between exam fee ($1,423) and application fee ($65), expect to invest around $1,165 in total to get started.

How many months or years does cpa certification take in Pennsylvania? expand_more

In Pennsylvania, becoming a cpa generally takes Varies (typically 1-3 years post-bachelor's degree for education, exam, and experience), accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

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

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