There are many advantages to being an accountant. But one of the best things about the job is that you can work in almost any industry you like. Any business, whether it’s farming, dance instruction, or legal counsel, needs to keep track of its finances. And that’s where the accountant comes in. If you have interests outside your accounting work, you can use those interests to guide you in your career by choosing an industry that interests you. But if you want to maximize your income, you may want to choose a high-paying industry.
For example, retail shoe sales, or shoe stores, is actually the highest paying industry for accountants. Professional accountants working in this industry earn average annual incomes of more than $88,300. If you’re a shoe collector in your spare time, this might be the industry for you. But if you’re not, you might want to consider it anyway.
This chart displays annual mean salaries for Accountants in the U.S. The data was collected
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics OES - May 2008.
The federal government is the next highest paying industry with accountants earning $84,520 in average salaries. In securities contracting, another high paying industry, accountants earn an average annual income of $80,920. In tobacco manufacturing, accountants do very well, earning average salaries of more than $79,640. Accountants working for merchant wholesalers are also paid well, with the average professional earning an income of $79,280.
Industry can play a significant role in your accounting career, whether it’s boosting your income or making your job more interesting and satisfying for you as an individual. When planning your accounting career, be sure to choose the best industry for you.
Related Charts for Accountant Salaries:
Accountant Pay Scale - All Industries
Accountant Salaries - Top Paying Metropolitan Areas
Accountant Salary Ranges - Top Paying States
The bar graph above shows the industries with the highest accounting salaries. The data is displayed below in table format:
| Industry | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|
| Shoe Stores | 88,300 |
| Federal Government | 84,520 |
| Securities Contracts | 80,920 |
| Tobacco Manufacturing | 79,640 |
| Merchant Wholesalers | 79,280 |
