Bookkeeper salary

The median pay for a bookkeeper nationally is $24.36 an hour — about $50,670 a year full time. That figure comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for U.S. (2025). Half of the roles pay more than this and half pay less, so treat it as the middle of the market rather than a target.

Most bookkeepers nationally earn between $17.31 an hour and $35.84 an hour — that is the 10th to the 90th percentile. The spread usually reflects experience, shift, certifications and employer size more than anything else.

Pay at the bottom of the range — roughly what someone starting out can expect — is around $17.31 an hour. A quarter of bookkeepers earn below $20.92 an hour, so the first year or two typically sits in that band.

The top 10% of bookkeepers nationally earn about $35.84 an hour or more, roughly 1.5× the median. Getting there usually means experience plus something specific — certifications, supervisory duties, specialised skills or premium shifts.

Bookkeepers record and reconcile financial transactions, manage invoices and prepare figures for accountants. Reachable without a degree through experience and certification. Day to day, that means record transactions in accounting software, process accounts payable and receivable, reconcile bank statements and prepare financial summaries.

The usual route is: (1) start as an accounting or AP/AR clerk, (2) learn the main accounting packages, (3) obtain a bookkeeping certification, (4) move to full-charge bookkeeper or accounting. Employers typically look for high school diploma minimum; some employers prefer an associate degree, accounting software proficiency and certification (AIPB, NACPB) valued.

Usually not. Most employers hire bookkeepers without a specific licence, though certification (AIPB, NACPB) valued will widen your options and often your pay.

There are currently 10 open bookkeepers listed on LocalWork. Steady demand from small and medium businesses. Software has automated routine entry, shifting value toward reconciliation and analysis.