Cost of hiring a bookkeeper in Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA
The median bookkeeper in Los Angeles-Long Beach earned $58,590 a year in May 2025[1]. That is 15.6% above the US median of $50,670, even though it is 1.1% below the California statewide median of $59,230. Only 20 of 521 US areas pay more for this job. With about 53,910 bookkeepers, 35% of the California total, no area in California employs more.
BLS occupation 43-3031, area Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Los Angeles-Long Beach against California and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA | $40,660 | $58,590 | $79,500 | |
| California | $41,600 | $59,230 | $81,990 | |
| United States | $36,000 | $50,670 | $74,550 |
Bookkeepers at the 90th percentile earn $79,500, 2.0 times the 10th percentile; the US ratio is 2.1. The middle half of bookkeepers in Los Angeles-Long Beach earns $48,030–$67,710.
What to budget for a bookkeeper here
| Point in the local range | Per year | Per month | Per hour | Employer cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40,660 | $3,388 | $19.55 | $58,086 |
| 25th percentile | $48,030 | $4,002 | $23.09 | $68,614 |
| Median | $58,590 | $4,882 | $28.17 | $83,700 |
| 75th percentile | $67,710 | $5,642 | $32.55 | $96,729 |
| 90th percentile | $79,500 | $6,625 | $38.22 | $113,571 |
The step from the 25th percentile to the median is $10,560 a year; from the median to the 75th it is $9,120, or about $13,029 once benefits are added. These percentiles describe what people in the job earn locally, not experience levels, so place your offer by the tasks and seniority you need.
What a hire really costs in Los Angeles-Long Beach
Pay is only part of it. Benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], which adds about $25,110 to the $58,590 median and brings it to $83,700 a year. Recruiting, equipment and office space come on top. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for bookkeepers we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Other roles in Los Angeles-Long Beach
Of the 17 roles we track in Los Angeles-Long Beach, this one ranks #10 by median pay. Project Coordinator is the highest at $108,310 and Virtual Receptionist the lowest at $43,280.
| Role | Median | vs bookkeeper | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +84.9% | 38,540 | |
| Accountant | +61.1% | 70,640 | |
| Marketing Specialist | +41.6% | 39,390 | |
| Executive Assistant | +41.4% | 20,850 | |
| Recruiter | +36.9% | 36,850 | |
| Sales Development Representative | +35.6% | 50,470 | |
| Office Manager | +32.3% | 54,340 | |
| Paralegal | +32.3% | 22,240 | |
| Payroll Specialist | +11.0% | 6,600 | |
| Bookkeeper | this role | 53,910 | |
| HR Assistant | -1.7% | 3,890 | |
| Administrative Assistant | -8.6% | 58,800 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -12.3% | 40,380 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -16.6% | 66,590 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -19.7% | 5,900 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | -20.5% | 5,740 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -26.1% | 35,000 |
Other areas in California
Across the 28 areas of California with data for this job, the median runs from $47,960 in El Centro to $66,130 in San Jose-Sunnyvale, a gap of $18,170 a year.
| Area | Median | vs Los Angeles-Long Beach | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | +4.4% | 2,040 | |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | +2.7% | 1,900 | |
| Salinas, CA | +1.0% | 1,270 | |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA | this area | 53,910 | |
| San Diego-Chula Vista, CA | -0.0% | 12,830 | |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | -0.0% | 1,070 | |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks, CA | -1.6% | 3,250 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire a bookkeeper in Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA?
About $83,700 a year at the median, or $6,975 a month: $58,590 in pay plus benefits and payroll taxes at the 30% share of total compensation in US private industry (June 2026). Recruiting, equipment and office space are extra.
What is the pay range for bookkeepers in Los Angeles-Long Beach?
The median was $58,590 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $40,660, the 90th $79,500, and the middle half earned $48,030 to $67,710.
Is Los Angeles-Long Beach cheaper than the rest of California for bookkeepers?
Yes, it costs less: a median of $58,590 against $59,230 statewide. San Jose-Sunnyvale pays the most ($66,130) and El Centro the least ($47,960).
How many bookkeepers work in Los Angeles-Long Beach?
BLS counts about 53,910 in the May 2025 survey. That is 35% of the California total of 151,870.
Does a bookkeeper cost more than an HR assistant in Los Angeles-Long Beach?
Yes: $990 a year more at the median. The medians are $58,590 and $57,600.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 43-3031: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes433031.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-05.