FinanceOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/10010+ years

Staff / Lead Certified Public Accountant Salary in Austin

2026 · Staff, lead, and principal-level professionals in the top 10% of earners.

$173,154/yr

Typical range: $145,736 $192,765

P90 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

Certified Public Accountant Salary Progression in Austin

From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
Entry0 yrs0 yrs$66,269$5,522
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$85,508$7,126+29%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$99,759$8,313+51%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$120,139$10,012+81%
StaffThis page10 yrs10 yrs$173,154$14,430+161%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$235,575$19,631+255%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$251,180$20,932+279%
Current Salary
$173,154
Staff / Lead · 10+ years
Hourly: $83/hr
Next Level Target
$235,575
Principal · 14
+$62Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
24/100
High Risk
+8% demand · Moderate AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the staff / lead Certified Public Accountant salary in Austin, TX?

Staff / Lead Certified Public Accountants in Austin, TX earn approximately $173K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P90 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

How much does a staff / lead Certified Public Accountant make per hour in Austin, TX?

Based on $173K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $83/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from staff / lead to senior Certified Public Accountant in Austin, TX?

The typical progression takes 2–4 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Certified Public Accountant in Austin, TX earns $146K–$193K/yr.