Accountant in Spokane, WA

The Salary Picture: Where Spokane Stands

As a local, I can tell you that Spokane’s accounting job market is stable but not explosive. It’s a city of steady government, healthcare, and mid-sized corporate finance roles, not a tech hub where salaries skyrocket overnight. The data confirms this. The median salary for an Accountant in Spokane is $86,338/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.51/hour. This is slightly above the national average of $86,080/year, which is a key point—Spokane offers a competitive wage, especially when you factor in the cost of living.

The job market size is modest but consistent. There are approximately 458 accounting jobs in the metro area, and the 10-year job growth is projected at 4%. This isn't a boomtown for accountants, but it's a reliable market. You won't find the dizzying array of Fortune 500 corporate HQs you'd see in Seattle, but you'll find solid opportunities with regional giants and the state government.

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience level in our local market. These are estimates based on local job postings and BLS data for the region, reflecting the market reality.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Typical Roles in Spokane
Entry-Level	$55,000 - $68,000	Staff Accountant, Junior Auditor, AP/AR Specialist
Mid-Career	$70,000 - $95,000	Senior Accountant, Tax Specialist, Corporate Accountant
Senior	$90,000 - $115,000	Accounting Manager, Controller (for small/mid-size firms)
Expert/CPA	$105,000 - $140,000+	Director of Finance, Partner at a local firm, CFO (small biz)

How does this compare to other Washington cities?
Spokane is a world away from Seattle’s cost of living and salary scale. The median accountant salary in the Seattle-Bellevue metro is closer to $110,000+, but you’ll pay 50-70% more for housing. Tacoma and Olympia are closer to Spokane in both salary and cost. Spokane’s sweet spot is for those who want a Pacific Northwest lifestyle without the Seattle price tag. The $86,338 median goes much further here than in Western Washington.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get down to brass tacks. What does an accountant earning the median salary of $86,338 actually take home in Spokane? We’ll use a single filer as our example, assuming standard deductions and Washington’s lack of a state income tax—a huge financial advantage.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for an Accountant Earning $86,338:

• Gross Monthly Salary: $7,195
• Estimated Federal Taxes & FICA (22-25%): ~$1,650
• Net Monthly Take-Home: ~$5,545
• Average 1BR Rent (Spokane Metro): $1,012/month
• Remaining for Utilities, Food, Transport, Savings: ~$4,533

Can they afford to buy a home?
Yes, but with caveats. As of late 2023, the median home price in Spokane County is around $375,000. With a 20% down payment ($75,000), a 30-year mortgage at 7% would have a monthly payment of roughly $2,000 (including taxes and insurance). This is about 28% of your net take-home pay, which is a standard and manageable guideline. However, saving for that $75,000 down payment on a $7,195 monthly gross salary requires discipline, especially if you are new to the city and paying rent initially. It’s very doable for a Senior Accountant earning over $100,000 but a longer-term goal for a Mid-Career professional.

Where the Jobs Are: Spokane's Major Employers

Spokane’s accounting jobs are concentrated in a few key sectors: healthcare, government, higher education, and regional headquarters. You’re not going to see postings from Amazon or Microsoft here. Instead, you’ll find opportunities with these local and regional power players:

1. MultiCare Health System: As one of the largest employers in Eastern Washington, MultiCare (which includes Deaconess and Valley Hospitals) always needs accountants for billing, compliance, and financial reporting. Their headquarters is in Tacoma, but the Spokane operations are massive, with a dedicated finance team on-site. Hiring trends here are steady, with a focus on healthcare-specific accounting knowledge.
2. Providence Health & Services: Another healthcare giant, Providence operates several hospitals in Spokane (Sacred Heart Medical Center, Holy Family Hospital). Their finance departments are large, offering roles from staff accountant to financial analyst.
3. Avista Corporation: This Spokane-based energy utility is a major local employer. They have a robust finance and accounting department for corporate accounting, rate regulation, and investor relations. It’s a stable, long-term employer with a strong local presence.
4. The State of Washington: Washington has no state income tax, but it has a massive state government. The Department of Enterprise Services (DES), the Department of Revenue, and the Office of Financial Management all have offices and hiring needs in Spokane. These are great jobs for work-life balance and benefits.
5. Eastern Washington University (EWU) & Gonzaga University: Both major universities have significant administrative budgets and require accountants for financial aid, grants, and general fund accounting. These roles often have excellent benefits and a campus environment.
6. Spokane County & City of Spokane: Local government is a huge employer. Budget analysts, accountants, and financial managers are needed to handle municipal finances. The hiring process is bureaucratic but the jobs are secure.
7. Aldrich + Associates / Clark Nuber (Regional Firms): While the Big 4 (PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG) have minimal presence in Spokane, regional and local CPA firms like Aldrich and Clark Nuber (which has a Spokane office) are the go-to for public accounting. They serve local businesses, providing audit, tax, and consulting services.

Insider Tip: Networking in Spokane is hyper-local. Attend the Spokane County Bar Association’s Tax Section meetings (accountants are welcome) and the Association of Accountants and Financial Professionals in Business (IMA) chapter events. A huge number of jobs here are filled through personal connections before they’re ever posted online.

Getting Licensed in WA

To call yourself a CPA in Washington, you must be licensed by the Washington State Board of Accountancy (WSBA). The process is straightforward but requires time and investment.

Requirements:

1. Education: 150 semester hours of college credit, including a bachelor’s degree and specific courses in accounting and business.
2. Exam: Pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam (AUD, BEC, FAR, REG).
3. Experience: One year (1,200 hours) of accounting experience under a licensed CPA. This can be in public accounting, industry, or government.
4. Ethics Exam: Pass the Professional Ethics Exam for CPAs.

Costs and Timeline:

• CPA Exam Fees: ~$1,500 (varies by section and jurisdiction).
• WSBA Application & Licensing Fee: ~$500.
• Ethics Exam Fee: ~$200.
• Total Upfront Cost: $2,200+ (not including college tuition or review courses).
• Timeline: From starting the education requirement to full licensure typically takes 1.5 to 2.5 years. You can sit for the exam after completing 120 credit hours (the "150-hour rule" can be met later for licensure), but you cannot be fully licensed until you hit the 150-hour mark and complete the experience requirement.

Insider Tip: Many Spokane employers, especially larger ones like MultiCare and Avista, offer tuition reimbursement or CPA exam fee assistance. It’s always worth asking about this during the interview process.

Best Neighborhoods for Accountants

Choosing your neighborhood in Spokane depends on your commute preference and lifestyle. Here’s a local’s guide:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute to Downtown	Average 1BR Rent
South Hill	Family-friendly, quiet, established. 10-15 min drive to downtown. Great schools.	$1,100 - $1,300
Browne's Addition	Historic, walkable, near Riverfront Park. Mix of young professionals and retirees. 5 min to downtown.	$1,050 - $1,200
Spokane Valley	Suburban, car-dependent. Home to many retail shops and chain restaurants. 15-20 min to downtown.	$1,000 - $1,200
North Monroe / Emerson-Garfield	Up-and-coming, eclectic. More affordable, with great local businesses and easy bus access. 10 min to downtown.	$900 - $1,100
Liberty Lake	Upscale suburb, very safe, with its own "downtown" area. 20-25 min commute to downtown Spokane.	$1,200 - $1,500

Personal Insight: If you work for the state or a downtown firm, Browne’s Addition or the Garland District offer a fantastic, walkable lifestyle. For those with families or who value space, the South Hill is the classic choice. Commutes are generally short—Spokane is a 20-minute city at most.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 4% 10-year job growth is conservative but real. Growth in Spokane won’t come from new industries but from expansion within existing sectors. Here’s how to advance:

• Specialty Premiums: In Spokane, not all specialties are equal. Healthcare Revenue Cycle expertise is in high demand and can command a 10-15% premium over general corporate accounting. Governmental Accounting (GASB) is another niche that pays well due to the number of public entities. Forensic Accounting is rare but lucrative, often tied to local legal firms or insurance companies.
• Advancement Paths:
  • Public Accounting: Staff → Senior → Manager → Partner (at a local firm). The path is clear but long.
  • Industry: Staff Accountant → Senior → Accounting Manager → Controller → CFO. This is the most common path for accountants in Spokane’s corporate landscape.
  • Government: You can move from an entry-level analyst to a budget director, with strong benefits and pension plans.
• 10-Year Outlook: The market will remain stable. Automation will handle more routine bookkeeping, increasing the demand for accountants who can analyze data, provide strategic advice, and manage complex compliance (especially in healthcare and government). Getting your CPA and specializing will be key to staying ahead.

The Verdict: Is Spokane Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Affordable Cost of Living: Your $86,338 salary goes much further than in Seattle.	Limited High-End Jobs: Fewer $150,000+ corporate controller or CFO roles compared to major metros.
No State Income Tax: More money in your pocket every month.	Smaller Job Market: 458 jobs is not a vast pool; lateral moves can be limited.
Outdoor Access: World-class hiking, skiing, and lakes are 15-30 minutes away.	4% Growth Rate: Indicates a stable, not booming, market for advancement.
Work-Life Balance: Shorter commutes and a less intense corporate culture.	Networking is Key: Many jobs aren't posted; you need to know people.
Stable Employers: Government, healthcare, and education provide reliable jobs.	Fewer Specialties: Less opportunity for niche fields like investment banking or tech finance.

Final Recommendation:
Spokane is an excellent choice for an accountant who values quality of life over chasing the absolute peak salary. If you’re a Mid-Career professional or a Senior Accountant looking to buy a home, raise a family, and have easy access to nature, it’s a fantastic fit. The $86,338 median salary, combined with the lack of state income tax and a median rent of $1,012, creates a comfortable financial equation. It’s less ideal for a young, single professional seeking the fast-paced, high-energy career ladder of a major financial center, but perfect for someone seeking stability and a balanced lifestyle.

FAQs

1. Is the CPA license required for all accounting jobs in Spokane?
No. Many corporate and government staff accountant roles only require a bachelor’s degree in accounting. However, the CPA is essential for public accounting (audit/tax), and it’s a significant advantage for advancing to manager, controller, or director-level positions in industry. It’s a strong career investment.

2. How is the job market for non-CPA accountants in Spokane?
It’s decent but more competitive. You’ll find plenty of staff and senior accountant roles in private industry and government that don’t require a CPA. However, the highest-paying and most senior roles almost always list CPA as a preferred or required qualification.

3. What’s the commute like in Spokane?
Excellent by national standards. The average commute is less than 20 minutes. Traffic is not a major issue outside of the brief rush hour on I-90 and Division Street. You can live in a suburb and still have a very manageable drive to most major employers.

4. Are there remote work opportunities for accountants in Spokane?
Yes, especially post-2020. Many regional and national companies hire remote accountants, and you can apply for those jobs from Spokane. Locally, hybrid schedules (2-3 days in the office) are becoming more common, especially in the private sector. Fully remote local jobs are less frequent but exist.

5. What’s the best way to find an accounting job in Spokane?
The best method is a three-pronged approach: 1) Monitor the job boards of the major employers listed above (MultiCare, Avista, State of WA). 2) Connect with local recruiting firms that specialize in finance and accounting, like Parker + Lynch or Robert Half. 3) Attend local networking events to hear about unposted opportunities. A personal referral is often the key to landing a great role.