Cost of hiring a bookkeeper in Phoenix-Mesa, AZ
Phoenix-Mesa is the most expensive place in Arizona to hire a bookkeeper. The median is $51,980 a year[1], 2.7% above the Arizona statewide median of $50,590 and 2.6% above the US median of $50,670. That is in the top quarter of US areas (#82 of 521). With about 16,280 bookkeepers, 72% of the Arizona total, no area in Arizona employs more.
BLS occupation 43-3031, area Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Phoenix-Mesa against Arizona and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa, AZ | $39,250 | $51,980 | $71,240 | |
| Arizona | $37,440 | $50,590 | $68,170 | |
| United States | $36,000 | $50,670 | $74,550 |
The middle half of bookkeepers in Phoenix-Mesa earns $46,580–$60,320. Pay is tightly grouped: the top tenth starts at $71,240, only 1.8 times the bottom tenth, against 2.1 times across the US, so the going rate is easier to read.
What to budget for a bookkeeper here
| Point in the local range | Per year | Per month | Per hour | Employer cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,250 | $3,271 | $18.87 | $56,071 |
| 25th percentile | $46,580 | $3,882 | $22.39 | $66,543 |
| Median | $51,980 | $4,332 | $24.99 | $74,257 |
| 75th percentile | $60,320 | $5,027 | $29.00 | $86,171 |
| 90th percentile | $71,240 | $5,937 | $34.25 | $101,771 |
The step from the 25th percentile to the median is $5,400 a year; from the median to the 75th it is $8,340, or about $11,914 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 Phoenix-Mesa
At the $51,980 median, a local hire costs about $74,257 a year: benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], about $22,277 here. 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 Phoenix-Mesa
Of the 17 roles we track in Phoenix-Mesa, this one ranks #9 by median pay. Project Coordinator is the highest at $100,780 and Virtual Receptionist the lowest at $39,340.
| Role | Median | vs bookkeeper | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +93.9% | 17,790 | |
| Accountant | +55.5% | 21,360 | |
| Sales Development Representative | +44.1% | 19,810 | |
| Recruiter | +43.6% | 15,430 | |
| Marketing Specialist | +43.5% | 12,220 | |
| Executive Assistant | +42.4% | 5,000 | |
| Office Manager | +26.0% | 23,940 | |
| Paralegal | +20.5% | 6,280 | |
| Bookkeeper | this role | 16,280 | |
| Payroll Specialist | -3.1% | 2,650 | |
| HR Assistant | -3.5% | 1,080 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | -5.9% | 620 | |
| Administrative Assistant | -6.1% | 22,010 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -10.4% | 13,570 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -10.7% | 68,930 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -15.0% | 2,650 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -24.3% | 16,850 |
Other areas in Arizona
Across the 8 areas of Arizona with data for this job, the median runs from $43,610 in Sierra Vista-Douglas to $51,980 in Phoenix-Mesa, a gap of $8,370 a year.
| Area | Median | vs Phoenix-Mesa | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa, AZ | this area | 16,280 | |
| Flagstaff, AZ | -4.5% | 460 | |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | -7.1% | 540 | |
| Tucson, AZ | -9.3% | 2,640 | |
| Arizona (Nonmetro) | -10.5% | 760 | |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | -11.0% | 380 | |
| Yuma, AZ | -13.5% | 460 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire a bookkeeper in Phoenix-Mesa, AZ?
About $74,257 a year at the median, or $6,188 a month: $51,980 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 do bookkeepers earn in Phoenix-Mesa?
The median was $51,980 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $39,250, the 90th $71,240, and the middle half earned $46,580 to $60,320.
Is Phoenix-Mesa the most expensive area in Arizona for bookkeepers?
Yes. Its median of $51,980 is the highest of 8 areas in Arizona. Flagstaff comes next at $49,660.
How many bookkeepers work in Phoenix-Mesa?
BLS counts about 16,280 in the May 2025 survey. That is 72% of the Arizona total of 22,690.
Does a bookkeeper cost more than a payroll specialist in Phoenix-Mesa?
Yes: $1,630 a year more at the median. The medians are $51,980 and $50,350.
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.