Types

• There are many different types of accountants. There are certified public accountants, forensic accountants, internal auditors and management accountants. The median salary for industries employing the most amount of accountants was $57,020 for those in accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services. State governments, although employing a high number of accountants, pay the lowest: a median of $47,200.
  
  

Education

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that salaries are highest for accountants who have master's degrees--a 2006 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers reported that accountants who graduate with a master's degree received job offers averaging $49,277. Those with bachelor's degrees were offered $46,718.
  
  

Geography

• According to the BLS, New York state pays its accountants the most, with a median salary of $80,420. New York is followed closely by New Jersey (median of $76,380) and the District of Columbia ($75,780). Salaries are generally higher in urban areas.
  
  

Experience

• The salary ranges of accountants are tied to the amount of experience the accountant has. According to a 2007 study by Robert Half International, accountants with less than a year of experience made between $31,500 and $48,250. Accountants with one to three years of experience earned $36,000 to $60,000.
  
  

Potential

• Because of increased scrutiny into the finances of publicly traded companies, the BLS reports that the job outlook, especially for those who get certified in public accounting, is expected to be excellent. Accountants who have either a master's degree in accounting or business will likely have the best advantages and will be able to command the highest salaries.