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Salary of a CMA

Average Salary of a CMA in 2025

The job market for Certified Management Accountants (CMAs) is getting stronger in 2025. This guide shows what CMAs earn based on their experience and location.

We'll cover important questions. First, are CMA salaries worth the cost of certification? Next, what do entry-level CMAs earn? Finally, which states offer the highest pay? Understanding your career worth is crucial in the 2025 competitive job market.

You'll find salary ranges based on experience and regional pay differences. Also, you'll get tips to increase your earning potential. This data comes from real salary surveys and helps you make smart career decisions.

Illustration showing a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) earning an average salary of $102,000 per year, with visuals of charts, money bags, a calculator, and financial documents.

What's the Average Salary of a CMA in the USA?

$102,000 per year (Average)

We calculated this average from more than 3,000 salary data points. This data comes from various sources, such as PayScale, ZipRecruiter, and industry surveys.

As of April 2025, CMAs in the U.S. make an average base salary of $102,000 a year. ZipRecruiter says a Certified Management Accountant earns about $115,905 a year. Other sources show salaries between $85,000 and $113,799.

Compared to 2024, CMA salaries have increased by about 8-12% this year. This growth comes from the rising need for financial experts. These professionals help companies cut costs and boost profits in today's economy.

CMA Key Metrics 2025

Average salary: $102,000 per year. PayScale lists this average, but other sources say CMAs in the U.S. earn around $113,799.

Salary range: $63,000 - $159,000 per year. PayScale data shows CMA salaries vary between $63k and $159k, based on 710 survey responses. The wide range depends on experience, location, and industry type.

Salary by experience:

  • Entry-level CMAs: $49,000 - $65,000 per year

  • Mid-level CMAs: $75,000 - $95,000 per year

  • Senior CMAs: $120,000 - $195,000+ per year

Salary surveys show that entry-level CMAs earn about $49,000 a year. The highest-paid CMAs in the Americas make around $195,000 annually.

75th percentile: $125,000 per year CMAs in the top 25% of earners typically make $125,000 or more annually. This includes people with over 10 years of experience or special skills in high-demand fields.

An analysis of more than 8,600 salary reports from popular job boards shows similar figures across major employment sites.

CMA Salary Regional Comparison

Location plays a huge role in CMA salaries.

Big cities usually pay more, but living costs are higher too. Companies in financial centers need more CMAs, which drives up pay. States with lots of corporations tend to offer better salaries. 

Here's how salaries in different regions compare to the national average.

Region

Average Salary

Difference vs National Average

New York

$149,312

+46%

California

$118,000

+16%

Texas

$98,500

-3%

Florida

$91,200

-11%

New York gives the best value for career growth. This is true despite its high living costs. Financial industry concentration leads to more senior positions for skilled CMAs.

6 Tips to Grow Your Salary as a CMA

1. Get Advanced Certifications: Certifications such as CPA or CFA can greatly increase your salary. CMAs make 24% more than non-CMAs in total pay. Their median total compensation is $163,932, while non-CMAs earn $131,770. Consider pursuing more finance certifications to stand out.

2. Gain Industry-Specific Experience: Work in high-paying industries like technology, healthcare, or financial services. These sectors typically pay 15-25% more than general manufacturing or retail companies.

3. Develop Data Analytics Skills: Modern CMAs need to understand data analysis tools. Learning advanced Excel functions, SQL, or Power BI can boost your salary by 10-18%, based on recent job market studies.

4. Relocate to High-Paying Cities: Moving to financial centers like New York, San Francisco, or Chicago can increase your earnings by 20-40%. Research the cost of living to ensure the move makes financial sense.

5. Take on Leadership Roles: Move into management positions like Finance Manager or Controller. These roles typically pay $130,000-$180,000+ annually, well above the average CMA salary.

6. Change Jobs Wisely: Switching companies every 3 to 5 years can boost your salary by 15 to 25%. Internal promotions typically offer smaller raises compared to external job moves.

FAQs About CMA Salary

What is the average salary of a CMA in entry-level positions?

Entry-level CMAs typically earn $49,000-$65,000 per year. The starting salary for new graduates or those with less than 2 years of management accounting experience is as follows.

Is the average salary of a CMA before or after taxes?

All salary figures mentioned are gross annual salaries before taxes. Your take-home pay will be lower after federal, state, and local taxes are deducted.

Does the average salary of a CMA include bonuses and benefits?

No, the base salary figures don't include bonuses, profit sharing, or benefits. Many CMAs receive additional compensation through performance bonuses, health insurance, and retirement contributions.

How much do senior CMAs earn compared to the average salary?

Senior CMAs with over 10 years of experience make between $120,000 and $195,000 or more each year. This is 20% to 90% above the national average. Senior roles include Finance Directors, Controllers, and CFO positions.

What factors affect a CMA's salary the most?

Experience level, geographic location, industry type, and company size are the biggest factors. Jobs in finance or tech in big cities usually pay the most.

Do CMAs earn more than regular accountants?

Yes, CMAs typically earn 15-25% more than non-certified accountants. The specialized management accounting skills and certification requirements justify the higher compensation.

Which states pay the highest average salary for CMAs?

New York, California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts pay the best CMA salaries. They range from $115,000 to $149,000 each year. These states have major financial centers and higher costs of living.

How often do CMA salaries increase with experience?

CMA salaries typically increase every 2-3 years with job changes or promotions. Annual raises at the same company are usually 3-5%. But switching jobs can lead to increases of 15-25%.


All pay information is current as of 2025. The data comes from different global salary surveys and government stats from 2025.

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