Bookkeeper salaries in the U.S. typically range from $41,000 to $57,500 annually, with a median salary of approximately $47,445 to $50,573 as of early 2026. Hourly rates often range between $23 and $25, with experienced professionals and specialized roles in high-cost areas earning significantly more, sometimes exceeding $70,000 annually.
According to our salary calculator, the average annual salary for Bookkeepers working in London is £28,000 - £38,000.
Give a salary range—not a number
However, if a job post asks applicants to state their expected salary when applying for the position, then give a range you're comfortable with. (If you've done your homework, you'll know what a fair salary range is.)
A bookkeeper's salary in the U.S. varies, but averages around $49,000 to $50,000 annually, or roughly $24/hour, with ranges from about $35,000 for entry-level to over $70,000 for experienced professionals, influenced by location, skills, and certifications. The median pay is close to $49,210 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with top earners exceeding $72,660.
For example, an accountant with a year or two of experience might earn $60,000 per year while a bookkeeper will earn less than $30,000 per year. More experienced accountants will be able to earn higher salaries but bookkeepers will not see significant salary increases.
Many bookkeepers charge an hourly rate. This averages around $25 to $100 per hour. This all depends on things like their education, work experience, and the tasks they are expected to perform on the job, in addition to standard accounting functions.
The Base Salary. The National Minimum Wage for those aged 21+ in 2025/26 is £12.21 per hour. A freelance bookkeeper typically charges between £20-£40 per hour (Bark.com).
$40,000 a year is approximately $19.23 per hour, assuming a standard 40-hour workweek (2,080 hours per year). You calculate this by dividing your annual salary by the total working hours in a year: $40,000 / 2,080 hours = $19.23/hour.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $79,904 and as low as $48,708, the majority of 20 An Hour salaries currently range between $62,900 (25th percentile) to $76,600 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $79,903 annually in Los Angeles.
To replace QuickBooks, popular alternatives include Xero, great for collaboration and established businesses; FreshBooks, ideal for freelancers with strong invoicing and time tracking; Wave, offering free basic accounting; Zoho Books, known for automation and Zoho integration; and Sage (Intacct/Accounting) for growing or larger businesses needing advanced features. Key factors in choosing involve your business size, industry (service vs. product), need for automation, and budget.
CPAs are quitting due to intense burnout from long hours, heavy workloads, and poor work-life balance, compounded by low salaries relative to other fields, monotonous tasks, and limited growth opportunities, with younger professionals also concerned about AI's future impact and a lack of purpose, creating a significant industry-wide talent shortage.
The three golden rules of accounting are to (1) debit the receiver and credit the giver, (2) debit what comes in and credit what goes out, and (3) debit expenses and losses, credit income and gains. What are the three types of accounts? The three golden rules of accounting apply to real, personal, and nominal accounts.
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Bookkeeping vs accounting: Job titles
Individuals pursuing a career in bookkeeping can expect their title to be bookkeeper, bookkeeping clerk, accounting specialist, accounting clerk, or auditing clerk. Although these titles differ, the role behind the title is generally the same.
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