Bookkeeper salary in State College, PA
State College is a lower-cost market for bookkeepers: the median of $46,370 a year1 is 4.3% below the Pennsylvania statewide median of $48,440, and 8.5% below the US median of $50,670. Nationally it ranks #338 of 521 areas. About 490 bookkeepers work here, 1% of the Pennsylvania total.
BLS occupation 43-3031, area State College, PA. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in State College against Pennsylvania and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State College, PA | $34,270 | $46,370 | $60,740 | |
| Pennsylvania | $34,960 | $48,440 | $69,570 | |
| United States | $36,000 | $50,670 | $74,550 |
The middle half of bookkeepers in State College earns $40,110–$55,480. Pay is tightly grouped: the top tenth starts at $60,740, only 1.8 times the bottom tenth, against 2.1 times across the US, so the going rate is easier to read. From the 25th to the 75th percentile, the local range is only $15,370 wide, against $17,070 across Pennsylvania and $17,950 nationally: employers in State College pay within a narrower band.
What to budget for a bookkeeper here
| Point in the local range | Per year | Per month | Per hour | Employer cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,270 | $2,856 | $16.48 | $44,219 |
| 25th percentile | $40,110 | $3,342 | $19.28 | $51,755 |
| Median | $46,370 | $3,864 | $22.29 | $59,832 |
| 75th percentile | $55,480 | $4,623 | $26.67 | $71,587 |
| 90th percentile | $60,740 | $5,062 | $29.20 | $78,374 |
The step from the 25th percentile to the median is $6,260 a year; from the median to the 75th it is $9,110, or about $11,755 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.
For scale, the US median of $50,670 falls between the median and the 75th percentile in State College, and the Pennsylvania statewide median of $48,440 falls there too.
What a hire really costs in State College
Pay is only part of it. Benefits and payroll taxes other than paid leave are 22.5% of total compensation in US private industry2, which adds about $13,462 to the $46,370 median and brings it to $59,832 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 fee3; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool4.
Other roles in State College
Of the 15 roles we track in State College, this one ranks #12 by median pay, between administrative assistants ($47,700) and medical administrative assistants ($44,280). Project Coordinator is the highest at $81,820.
| Role | Median | vs bookkeeper | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| HR Assistant | +5.3% | 40 | |
| Administrative Assistant | +2.9% | 1,140 | |
| Bookkeeper | this role | 490 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -4.5% | 250 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -8.2% | 940 |
Measured against the US median, bookkeepers rank #7 of the 15 roles we track in State College (-8.5%), between virtual receptionists (-8.3%) and office managers (-12.1%). The typical role here is at -12.1%, so, measured against the US, bookkeepers cost more in State College than the area's general pay level would suggest. Bookkeepers hold 8.3% of the jobs in these 15 roles in State College, 8.7% across Pennsylvania and 8.8% nationally. That is close to the national mix.
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. Of the 14 areas in Pennsylvania with more bookkeepers than State College, 5 pay less, the largest of them the Central Pennsylvania nonmetro area ($44,620), the Southwestern Pennsylvania nonmetro area ($45,120) and the Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetro area ($44,820).
| Area | Median | vs State College | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, PA | +1.1% | 1,840 | |
| Williamsport, PA | +1.0% | 340 | |
| Chambersburg, PA | +0.2% | 420 | |
| State College, PA | this area | 490 | |
| Erie, PA | -2.3% | 920 | |
| Southwestern Pennsylvania (Nonmetro) | -2.7% | 1,420 | |
| Northwestern Pennsylvania (Nonmetro) | -3.3% | 1,200 |
State College against other US metro areas
By number of jobs, State College is #436 of 521 US areas for this job. The market is small, and its pay sits near the middle of the US range. Outside Pennsylvania, Ocala and Roanoke pay just above State College and Traverse City and Mansfield just below. All four are within $60 a year of the median in State College. Of the three markets with about as many bookkeepers, all three pay more.
| Metro area | Median | vs State College | Jobs | Close in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longview-Kelso, WA | +22.1% | 490 | jobs | |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | +21.7% | 490 | jobs | |
| Ithaca, NY | +11.3% | 490 | jobs | |
| Roanoke, VA | +0.1% | 1,230 | pay | |
| Ocala, FL | +0.0% | 1,130 | pay | |
| State College, PA | this area | 490 | ||
| Traverse City, MI | -0.0% | 890 | pay | |
| Mansfield, OH | -0.1% | 330 | pay |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire a bookkeeper in State College, PA?
About $59,832 a year at the median, or $4,986 a month: $46,370 in pay plus about $13,462 in benefits and payroll taxes. Recruiting, equipment and office space are extra.
What do bookkeepers earn in State College?
The median was $46,370 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $34,270, the 90th $60,740, and the middle half earned $40,110 to $55,480.
Is State College cheaper than the rest of Pennsylvania for bookkeepers?
Yes, it costs less: a median of $46,370 against $48,440 statewide. The next area up in Pennsylvania is Chambersburg at $46,470, the next down Erie at $45,300.
How many bookkeepers work in State College?
BLS counts about 490 in the May 2025 survey. That is 1% of the Pennsylvania total of 48,920. 14 areas in Pennsylvania have more; the closest in size is Lebanon, with about 560.
Does a bookkeeper cost more than a medical administrative assistant in State College?
Yes: $2,090 a year more at the median. The medians are $46,370 and $44,280.
Sources
4 sources, with links
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 43-3031: bls.gov
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: bls.gov
- Stafka pricing: stafka.com
- Deel pricing, contractor management: deel.com
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-12.