Accountant pay in New York, by the numbers
After a simplified 14% national tax estimate that is about US$7,600 a month, in a metro with a cost-of-living index of 100.
How New York compares with United States and NY
On a United States league table of 21 metros, New York comes 3rd. One place higher is San Francisco at US$110,730, one lower is Washington at US$102,140, and San Jose tops the list.
With New York as the sole NY entry for accountants, the useful benchmarks are national: 3rd of 21, +26% vs the median.
Cost of living and take-home in New York
Price levels in New York (index 100) neither inflate nor shrink the paycheck much; adjusted for costs it is worth about US$105,700.
Adjusting for prices does not move New York in the ranking: it is 3rd of 21 on both cash and buying power.
Take-home on the median comes to roughly US$7,600 monthly (14% effective tax in our simplified model). Rent for a modeled 1-bedroom is 22% of it, and the single-adult budget ends about US$4,100 in the black.
Metros with a cost level like New York
Los Angeles (similar cost level, COL 100) pays US$94,360, 11% less than New York; modeled monthly leftover is US$730 lower.
A accountant moving from New York to Chicago (similar cost level, COL 100) would see the median fall 22% to US$82,360, with US$1,510 less left over monthly in our model.
A accountant moving from New York to Houston (similar cost level, COL 100) would see the median fall 19% to US$85,090, with US$1,330 less left over monthly in our model.
Accountant vs other occupations in New York
Lawyer is the best-paid tracked role in New York at US$208,880; accountant comes 8th of 9.
Closest neighbours in the New York list: Mechanical Engineer at US$109,990 (+4%) and Frontend Developer at US$104,820 (-1%).
Where New York stands for junior and senior accountants
The New York market rewards seniority more than entry: the 90th percentile (US$174,750) ranks 3rd of 21, but the 10th (US$71,850) only 5th.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$196,890 at the 90th percentile, +13% against New York.
Spread between low and high accountant pay in New York
Pay is spread out: US$71,850 at the 10th percentile to US$174,750 at the 90th (2.4×). Level and setting matter more than the city average here.