Cost of hiring a bookkeeper in Philadelphia-Camden, PA-NJ
Philadelphia-Camden is a higher-paying market for bookkeepers: the median of $52,710 a year[1] is 8.8% above the Pennsylvania statewide median of $48,440, and 4.0% above the US median of $50,670. That is in the top quarter of US areas (#74 of 521). With about 22,660 bookkeepers, no area in Pennsylvania employs more.
BLS occupation 43-3031, area Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Philadelphia-Camden against Pennsylvania and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden, PA-NJ | $39,220 | $52,710 | $75,250 | |
| Pennsylvania | $34,960 | $48,440 | $69,570 | |
| United States | $36,000 | $50,670 | $74,550 |
Bookkeepers at the 90th percentile earn $75,250, 1.9 times the 10th percentile; the US ratio is 2.1. The middle half of bookkeepers in Philadelphia-Camden earns $46,250–$62,560.
What to budget for a bookkeeper here
| Point in the local range | Per year | Per month | Per hour | Employer cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,220 | $3,268 | $18.86 | $56,029 |
| 25th percentile | $46,250 | $3,854 | $22.24 | $66,071 |
| Median | $52,710 | $4,392 | $25.34 | $75,300 |
| 75th percentile | $62,560 | $5,213 | $30.08 | $89,371 |
| 90th percentile | $75,250 | $6,271 | $36.18 | $107,500 |
The step from the 25th percentile to the median is $6,460 a year; from the median to the 75th it is $9,850, or about $14,071 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 Philadelphia-Camden
Pay is only part of it. Benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], which adds about $22,590 to the $52,710 median and brings it to $75,300 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 Philadelphia-Camden
Of the 17 roles we track in Philadelphia-Camden, this one ranks #10 by median pay. Project Coordinator is the highest at $104,160 and Virtual Receptionist the lowest at $38,030.
| Role | Median | vs bookkeeper | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +97.6% | 17,210 | |
| Accountant | +63.1% | 29,370 | |
| Executive Assistant | +50.8% | 7,150 | |
| Marketing Specialist | +50.7% | 17,600 | |
| Recruiter | +45.5% | 16,000 | |
| Office Manager | +37.9% | 28,900 | |
| Sales Development Representative | +34.7% | 19,260 | |
| Paralegal | +33.6% | 11,150 | |
| Payroll Specialist | +11.6% | 2,410 | |
| Bookkeeper | this role | 22,660 | |
| HR Assistant | -3.6% | 1,630 | |
| Administrative Assistant | -7.3% | 32,850 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | -8.3% | 1,220 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -10.6% | 15,550 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -10.7% | 41,740 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -21.7% | 2,340 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -27.9% | 22,210 |
Other areas in Pennsylvania
Across the 20 areas of Pennsylvania with data for this job, the median runs from $41,730 in Johnstown to $53,500 in Lebanon, a gap of $11,770 a year.
| Area | Median | vs Philadelphia-Camden | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lebanon, PA | +1.5% | 560 | |
| Philadelphia-Camden, PA-NJ | this area | 22,660 | |
| Allentown-Bethlehem, PA-NJ | -6.8% | 2,430 | |
| Reading, PA | -7.6% | 1,260 | |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | -7.9% | 2,450 | |
| Lancaster, PA | -8.5% | 2,190 | |
| York-Hanover, PA | -9.7% | 1,270 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire a bookkeeper in Philadelphia-Camden, PA-NJ?
About $75,300 a year at the median, or $6,275 a month: $52,710 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 Philadelphia-Camden?
The median was $52,710 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $39,220, the 90th $75,250, and the middle half earned $46,250 to $62,560.
Is Philadelphia-Camden cheaper than the rest of Pennsylvania for bookkeepers?
No, it costs more: a median of $52,710 against $48,440 statewide. Lebanon pays the most ($53,500) and Johnstown the least ($41,730).
How many bookkeepers work in Philadelphia-Camden?
BLS counts about 22,660 in the May 2025 survey.
Does a bookkeeper cost more than an HR assistant in Philadelphia-Camden?
Yes: $1,890 a year more at the median. The medians are $52,710 and $50,820.
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 2026-11-06.