Accountant in Redding, CA

As a career analyst who’s spent years mapping out the professional landscape in Northern California, I’ve seen many accountants drawn to the promise of the Bay Area’s high salaries, only to be crushed by the cost of living. Redding, on the other hand, presents a different, often overlooked equation. It’s a city of stark contrasts—breathtaking natural beauty in the shadow of Mount Shasta, a deep-rooted agricultural economy, and a healthcare sector that acts as the region’s financial anchor.

For an accountant, this means a stable, if not explosive, job market with a unique set of employers. This guide is built on hard data and local insight to help you decide if this Northern California hub, with its $86,803/year median salary, is the right fit for your career and life.

The Salary Picture: Where Redding Stands

Redding’s accounting job market is defined by stability and a cost of living that makes a solid middle-class life achievable. The city’s median salary for accountants of $86,803/year is remarkably close to the national average of $86,080/year. This is a key indicator: Redding pays competitively on a national scale, but the real advantage comes when you factor in the local economy. With an hourly rate of $41.73/hour and only 185 total accounting jobs in the metro area, this is not a high-turnover, high-growth market. It’s a place for professionals who value stability and a manageable pace over the frantic churn of a major metropolis.

The 10-year job growth projection of 4% is modest, reflecting a mature market. Unlike tech-heavy cities where accounting roles are tied to volatile startups, Redding’s jobs are linked to enduring sectors: healthcare, agriculture, government, and essential services.

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience level in the Redding area:

Experience Level	Typical Title	Estimated Annual Salary Range
Entry-Level	Staff Accountant, Bookkeeper	$55,000 - $70,000
Mid-Career	Senior Accountant, Tax Preparer	$75,000 - $95,000
Senior/Manager	Accounting Manager, Controller	$100,000 - $130,000
Expert/Partner	CFO, Partner in a CPAs firm	$135,000+

When compared to other California cities, Redding’s value proposition becomes clear. While a senior accountant in San Francisco might command $140,000+, their take-home pay after state and local taxes is often barely enough for a shared apartment. In Redding, a $95,000 salary provides a level of financial comfort that is increasingly rare in the state.

City	Median Accountant Salary	1BR Avg. Rent	Cost of Living (US Avg=100)
Redding	$86,803	$1,132	102.8
San Francisco	$115,000+	$3,200+	269.3
Sacramento	$92,500	$1,680	114.2
Fresno	$78,000	$1,150	99.5

Insider Tip: The highest salaries in Redding are often found not in public accounting firms, but in the internal accounting departments of large regional employers like Dignity Health and Shasta County. These roles offer excellent benefits and work-life balance, which is a significant part of the total compensation package here.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s move beyond the gross salary and look at the real-world math for a mid-career accountant earning the median salary of $86,803/year.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Estimate for Single Filer):

• Gross Monthly Income: $7,233
• Taxes (Federal, CA State, FICA - ~25% est.): -$1,808
• Net Monthly Income: ~$5,425
• Rent (1BR Average): -$1,132
• Utilities, Internet, Phone: -$250
• Groceries & Household: -$400
• Car Payment/Insurance/Gas (essential in Redding): -$500
• Health Insurance (if not fully covered by employer): -$300
• Retirement Savings (10% of gross): -$723
• Discretionary/Food/Entertainment: -$500
• Remaining Buffer: ~$1,620

This healthy buffer is a direct result of Redding’s favorable rent-to-income ratio. While a Cost of Living Index of 102.8 is slightly above the US average, it’s worlds apart from the Bay Area or coastal California.

Can they afford to buy a home? Yes, absolutely. As of late 2023, the median home price in Redding is approximately $385,000. For our accountant with a $1,620 monthly buffer, a 20% down payment ($77,000) would take discipline and a few years of saving, but it’s an attainable goal. A mortgage on a $385,000 home (with 20% down) would be roughly $1,900/month (including taxes and insurance), which is feasible with that salary and budget discipline. This is a stark contrast to the near-impossibility of homeownership for most professionals in major coastal California cities.

Where the Jobs Are: Redding's Major Employers

Redding’s accounting job market is dominated by a few key sectors. With only 185 jobs in the metro, you must be strategic in your search. Public accounting firms are small, but the private sector offers stability.

1. Dignity Health (Mercy Medical Center Redding): The largest healthcare provider in the region. They have a substantial internal accounting department for revenue cycle management, financial reporting, and budgeting. Hiring is steady but competitive, with a preference for candidates with a CPA and healthcare industry knowledge.
2. Shasta County Government: A major employer for government accounting and auditing roles. These positions offer excellent job security, pensions, and benefits. The hiring process is slow and bureaucratic, but the roles are stable. Look for openings in the Auditor-Controller’s office or Finance Department.
3. Tri Counties Bank: A regional bank headquartered in Chico with a strong presence in Redding. They hire accountants for internal audit, loan review, and corporate finance. Local knowledge of the Northern California business landscape is a plus here.
4. Lassen Municipal Utility District (LMUD): While based in Susanville, they serve parts of Shasta County and have corporate offices in the area. They hire accountants and financial analysts for utility rate-setting, regulatory reporting, and capital project accounting.
5. Large Local CPA Firms: Firms like Jackson & Company and Hutchins & Company are the primary public accounting presence. They offer tax and audit services to local businesses, agricultural operations, and non-profits. These are excellent places to get broad experience and build a local client network, though starting salaries may be slightly below the median.
6. Shasta Regional Medical Center: Another key healthcare player, offering similar opportunities to Dignity Health in their finance department.
7. California State University, Chico (University Ave. Campus): While the main campus is in Chico, CSUC has a significant presence in Redding. They employ accountants for grant management, departmental budgets, and financial administration.

Hiring Trends: Hiring is not rapid. Positions open due to retirement or internal promotion. Networking is critical. Join the Redding Chamber of Commerce or the North State chapter of the California Society of CPAs. Many jobs are filled through referrals before they’re ever posted online.

Getting Licensed in CA

Becoming a CPA in California is a rigorous process managed by the California Board of Accountancy (CBA). It’s a significant investment of time and money, but it’s the key to unlocking the highest salary tiers.

Requirements:

• Education: A bachelor’s degree with 150 semester units, including 24 units in accounting subjects, 24 units in business-related subjects, and 10 units in ethics.
• Exam (CPA): Pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam.
• Experience: One year (12 months) of general accounting experience supervised by a licensed CPA. This can include public accounting, industry, government, or academia.

Timeline to Get Started:

1. Education (4-5 years): If you need to reach 150 units, consider a Master’s in Accounting from a program like CSU Chico’s, or take additional courses at Shasta College.
2. Exam (6-18 months): Plan for 6-12 months of intense study after meeting the education requirements. The exam sections can be taken in any order.
3. Experience (1 year): Secure a qualifying role. This is the biggest hurdle. Many start in public accounting to meet the requirement.

Costs (Estimate):

• CPA Exam Fees: ~$1,000 - $1,500 (application, exam sections, re-takes).
• Ethics Exam: ~$250.
• Review Course: $1,500 - $3,000 (highly recommended).
• Total Initial Investment: $3,000 - $5,000+.

Insider Tip: The CBA website is dense. Use the "Candidate Handbook" as your bible. For local support, connect with the NorCal Chapter of CalCPA. They offer mentorship and networking events that can help you navigate the licensing process and find qualifying experience in Redding.

Best Neighborhoods for Accountants

Your choice of neighborhood in Redding will define your commute and lifestyle. The city is spread out, and traffic, while not Bay Area-level, can be concentrated on key arteries.

• Downtown/Central Redding: Rent: $1,200 - $1,500. Best for urban-minded professionals who want walkability to coffee shops, restaurants, and the Sacramento River. Commute to major employers like Dignity Health or downtown firms is under 10 minutes. The housing stock is older but charming.
• South Redding (Lake Redding Area): Rent: $1,300 - $1,600. A popular area for families and young professionals. It’s close to shopping centers (Mt. Shasta Mall area) and has newer housing developments. Commute to the hospital or major employers is still very manageable (10-15 mins).
• West Redding (near I-5): Rent: $1,100 - $1,400. Offers more affordable options and quick access to the interstate. Good for those who might commute to Chico or need to travel for work. It’s less walkable but provides easy access to outdoor recreation like Whiskeytown Lake.
• East Redding (Benton Drive Area): Rent: $1,000 - $1,300. One of the more affordable areas, with a mix of older homes and apartments. It’s further from the city center but has its own commercial corridors. A good option for those prioritizing budget over proximity.
• Anderson (Just South of Redding): Rent: $950 - $1,200. Technically a separate city but part of the metro area. It offers significantly lower rent and a small-town feel. The downside is a 15-25 minute commute to Redding’s core employers, but the savings can be substantial.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Redding, career growth is about specialization and depth, not just climbing a corporate ladder. The 10-year outlook is stable, not explosive.

• Specialty Premiums: Certain skills command higher pay.
  • Healthcare Revenue Cycle: Experience with medical billing, coding, and compliance (HIPAA) is gold, thanks to Dignity Health and Shasta Regional.
  • Government & Non-Profit Accounting: Expertise in grant management, compliance, and fund accounting is highly valued by Shasta County and the myriad local non-profits.
  • Tax Specialization (Agribusiness): Understanding the unique tax structures for farms, ranches, and timber operations can make you indispensable to local CPA firms and large agricultural businesses.
• Advancement Paths: The typical path is from Staff Accountant to Senior, then to Manager or Controller. The peak for most is becoming a Controller for a local business or the CFO of a mid-sized regional company. Reaching the partner track at a local CPA firm is another viable, though challenging, path. For those with an entrepreneurial spirit, opening a niche tax or bookkeeping practice serving the small business community is a real possibility.
• 10-Year Outlook: The 4% growth rate suggests a market that will replace retirees and grow slowly with the local economy. The biggest growth may come from the expansion of healthcare services and the ongoing need for financial professionals in the renewable energy and timber sectors. Remote work is an option, but local employers still prefer in-person candidates for relationship and compliance reasons.

The Verdict: Is Redding Right for You?

Pros	Cons
High quality of life with world-class outdoor access (hiking, fishing, skiing).	Limited job market – only 185 jobs, so opportunities are scarce.
Affordable housing – homeownership is a real possibility on a median salary.	Isolation – it’s a 2.5-hour drive to Sacramento, 4+ hours to the Bay Area.
Stable employers in healthcare, government, and agriculture.	Slower career pace – advancement can be slower than in major metros.
Competitive national salary ($86,803) with a lower cost of living.	Social scene is quieter; fewer networking and cultural events.
Manageable commutes and a less stressful urban environment.	Heavily car-dependent city layout.

Final Recommendation: Redding is an excellent choice for accountants who value quality of life, stability, and the ability to afford a home. It’s best suited for mid-career professionals looking to establish roots, or for those who are passionate about the outdoors and don’t need a bustling, anonymous city. It is less ideal for early-career accountants who thrive on the energy of a large professional network or those seeking rapid, vertical career growth. If you want to build a life, not just a career, Redding’s equation is hard to beat.

FAQs

1. Is the CPA license necessary to find a good job in Redding?
While not always mandatory for staff accountant or bookkeeping roles, a CPA license is highly recommended and often required for senior, manager, and controller positions, especially at major employers like Dignity Health or Shasta County. It significantly increases your earning potential and job security.

2. How competitive is the job market for accountants in Redding?
With only 185 jobs, the market is not highly competitive in terms of volume, but it is in terms of fit. Employers look for candidates who understand the local economy and plan to stay long-term. Networking and local connections are crucial. Applying to a job without a local connection can be challenging.

3. What is the work-life balance like for accountants in Redding?
Generally excellent. The culture is not one of "crunch time" 80-hour weeks common in major metros. Public accounting firms may have a busy tax season, but industry roles (healthcare, government) typically offer a standard 40-hour week with minimal overtime. The easy access to nature promotes a healthy work-life balance.

4. Are there opportunities for remote work for Redding-based accountants?
Yes, but they are more common for larger corporations that have a presence in Redding. Some accountants in Redding work remotely for companies based in Sacramento or the Bay Area. However, many local employers still prefer on-site staff for collaboration and security, especially in healthcare and government.

5. What is the biggest challenge for an accountant moving to Redding?
The biggest challenge is often the limited professional network and the slower pace of hiring. You must be proactive in building relationships through the Chamber of Commerce and CalCPA events. The second challenge is the need for a car; public transit is limited, and the city is spread out.

Data Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, California Board of Accountancy (CBA), Zillow Research, Redding Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, Sperling's BestPlaces Cost of Living Index.