Experience

• According to PayScale, experience plays a large part in determining salary. CPAs start out with annual earnings of $39,662 to $51,273 as of April 2010. At one to four years of experience, they get $43,816 to $57,859 and at five to nine years, they earn $50,504 to $72,007. Finally, those with 10 to 19 years receive $55,498 to $87,152 while those with 20 or more years can earn $61,490 to $107,461.
  
  

Employer

• The type of employer determines earnings according to PayScale. Those who are self employed earn $45,810 to $95,871 while those who work for a private practice make $47,889 to $70,102. Those in the federal government received $55,107 to $98,949 while those in states and local jurisdictions earn $48,472 to $77,467. College or university employees are paid $41,271 to $66,129 while those who work for school districts average $39,430 to $71,216.
  
  

City

• The city can affect compensation according to PayScale. Those working in New York show the highest salaries at $55,337 to $91,115 while those in Los Angeles make $49,107 to $76,274. Philadelphia accountants make $53,974 to $87,825 while those in Chicago get $50,625 to $73,326. As for the South, Atlanta pays $49,123 to $74,133; Houston pays $49,682 to $75,670 while Dallas compensates at $48,683 to $72,346.
  
  

Other

• Male CPAs average $49,073 to $75,756, which is more than their female counterparts who earn $46,351 to $69,045. Financial services pay the most at $49,155 to $72,542 while those who prepare tax returns receive $45,061 to $70,365. Finally, those with a B.A. in Business Administration make $47,867 to $76,956; those with a B.S. in Accounting get $47,387 to $74,551 and those with a Master's in Accountancy are paid $47,553 to $59,028.
  
  

Outlook

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects all accounting jobs, including those of CPAs, to grow by 22 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is faster than average for all professions. The growing complexity of tax laws, increasing public accountability for company finances and the growing number of business will drive the growth. Those who have expertise in computer systems or forensics will experience the greatest advantage.