Sources: California Department of Human Resources (CalHR), California State Civil Service Pay Scales — Section 17 Schematic Listing (with Section 16 Schematic Arrangement of Classes); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
California state pay plan Sourced
Published rates for each class, lowest first, effective September 14, 2026. These are the ranges California sets for its own state employees; cities, counties and school districts have their own pay plans.
| Class and grade | Published rate |
|---|---|
| Accountant I (Specialist) Class 4177 Grade 4177 Range A | $3,934.00 – $4,923.00 a month $47,208 – $59,076 a year |
Grade 4177 Range L | $4,051.00 – $5,073.00 a month $48,612 – $60,876 a year |
| Accountant Trainee Class 4179 Grade 4179 Range A | $4,442.00 – $5,296.00 a month $53,304 – $63,552 a year |
Grade 4179 Range L | $4,575.00 – $5,455.00 a month $54,900 – $65,460 a year |
| Financial Accountant I Class 4191 Grade 4191 | $7,529.00 – $9,352.00 a month $90,348 – $112,224 a year |
| Financial Accountant II Class 4192 Grade 4192 | $8,658.00 – $10,758.00 a month $103,896 – $129,096 a year |
| Financial Accountant III Class 4193 Grade 4193 | $10,527.00 – $11,953.00 a month $126,324 – $143,436 a year |
| Financial Accountant IV Class 4194 Grade 4194 | $11,583.00 – $13,153.00 a month $138,996 – $157,836 a year |
| Financial Accountant V Class 4195 Grade 4195 | $12,135.00 – $13,781.00 a month $145,620 – $165,372 a year |
Schedule: Civil Service Pay Scale (Section 17, by schematic code). Rates are as the plan publishes them; "a year" figures are conversions. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).
Source: California Department of Human Resources (CalHR), California State Civil Service Pay Scales — Section 17 Schematic Listing (with Section 16 Schematic Arrangement of Classes). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pay in California, all employers Sourced
Accountants and Auditors (SOC 13-2011) in California, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | CA |
|---|---|
| Workers | 175,360 |
| 10th percentile | $61,770 |
| Median | $97,050 |
| 90th percentile | $160,520 |
| National median, government employers | $81,390 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for California
AICPA CPA Exam — Auditing & Attestation (AUD) Core SectionEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep- AICPA CPA Exam — Business Analysis & Reporting (BAR) Discipline SectionEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- AICPA CPA Exam — Financial Accounting & Reporting (FAR)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- AICPA CPA Exam — Information Systems & Controls (ISC) Discipline SectionEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- AICPA CPA Exam — Regulation (REG) Core SectionEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- AICPA CPA Exam — Tax Compliance & Planning (TCP) Discipline SectionEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) ExaminationEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
More about this job
Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Accountant (government) page.