How to Become a Bookkeeper in New York (2026)
New York employs about 84,280 bookkeepers earning a median $58,160 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most bookkeepers train through an approved program before entering the field in New York.
Compare Bookkeeper Schools in New York
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bergen Community College | 63.9 | Contact school for pricing | $51,761 | Not reported | Yes* | 25 mi |
| 2 | Monroe University | 62.7 | Contact school for pricing | $48,907 | 57% | Yes* | 34 mi |
| 3 | Ulster County Community College | 62.6 | Contact school for pricing | $50,370 | 32% | Yes* | 37 mi |
| 4 | Rockland Community College | 59.7 | Contact school for pricing | $48,706 | Not reported | Yes* | 13 mi |
| 5 | CUNY Hostos Community College | 56.5 | Contact school for pricing | $45,126 | 17% | Yes* | 36 mi |
| 6 | SUNY Westchester Community College | 55.9 | Contact school for pricing | $112,190 | 24% | Yes* | 26 mi |
| 7 | Dutchess Community College | 55.7 | Contact school for pricing | $44,694 | Not reported | Yes* | 32 mi |
| 8 | CUNY Bronx Community College | 54.4 | Contact school for pricing | $44,993 | 17% | Yes* | 34 mi |
| 9 | Sussex County Community College | 53.8 | Contact school for pricing | $41,662 | 40% | Yes* | 36 mi |
| 10 | Orange County Community College | 48.4 | Contact school for pricing | $53,257 | 24% | — | 16 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
New York employs approximately 84,280 bookkeepers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,160 1. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 170,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Bookkeeper in New York, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school or community college
- Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
- Median wage (New York): $58,160 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Bookkeeper in New York
How to become a Bookkeeper in New York? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for bookkeepers in New York.
How long does it take? bookkeeper training length in New York varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.
What do bookkeepers earn in New York? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in New York is $58,160 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,880 and experienced professionals can earn $81,990 or more 1.
How to Become a Bookkeeper in New York
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most New York training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved bookkeeper program in New York that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to bookkeepers in New York before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Bookkeeper Wages by Metro Area in New York
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks Wages by Metro Area in New York
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks wages in New York vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | 77,010 | $60,640 | $62,710 | $42,650 | $85,260 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga | 5,890 | $51,610 | $53,920 | $38,400 | $69,260 |
| Rochester | 4,380 | $50,870 | $53,340 | $37,710 | $70,840 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | 4,170 | $53,540 | $55,250 | $38,890 | $71,920 |
| Syracuse | 2,980 | $52,000 | $54,550 | $38,740 | $72,830 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh | 2,530 | $56,130 | $57,620 | $39,220 | $78,250 |
| Utica-Rome | 1,770 | $49,280 | $51,780 | $38,030 | $66,860 |
| Binghamton | 950 | $48,830 | $51,530 | $37,040 | $67,800 |
| Kingston | 670 | $54,510 | $55,990 | $40,480 | $75,030 |
| Glens Falls | 500 | $49,300 | $51,570 | $36,580 | $65,000 |
| Ithaca | 490 | $51,610 | $54,360 | $38,710 | $72,610 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum | 390 | $47,100 | $49,140 | $35,120 | $64,950 |
| Elmira | 350 | $48,330 | $51,030 | $37,400 | $70,720 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for bookkeepers in New York? New York currently employs approximately 84,280 bookkeepers 1. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in New York? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in New York.
How much do bookkeepers earn in New York compared to the national average? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in New York is $58,160, which is $8,950 above the national median of $49,210 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |