Controller Salaries
How much does a Controller make?
Total pay range
$122K - $210K/yr
$159K/yrMedian total pay
Pay breakdown
$91K - $151K/yrBase pay
$32K - $59K/yrAdditional pay
About our data
Confident
The “Most Likely Range” reflects values within the 25th and 75th percentile of all pay data available for this role. Glassdoor salaries are powered by our proprietary machine learning model, which utilizes salaries collected from our users and the latest government data to make pay predictions.
How accurate is a total pay range of $122K-$210K/yr?
Your input helps Glassdoor refine our pay estimates over time.
Total pay trajectory
Controller
$122K–$210K/yr
Associate Director of Finance
$157K–$258K/yr
Director of Finance
$161K–$257K/yr
Popular companies for Controllers
58,391 companies
58,391 Popular companies with Controller
Viewing 1 - 5 of 58391 Results
Top paying industries
The top 5 paying industries for a Controller in United States are Energy, Mining & Utilities with a median total pay of $203,143, Information Technology with a median total pay of $197,327, Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology with a median total pay of $171,730, Aerospace & Defense with a median total pay of $165,325, and Manufacturing with a median total pay of $159,063.
Top paying companies in Energy, Mining & Utilities for Controller are Phillips 66, Energy Transfer, and ExxonMobil.
Top paying companies in Information Technology for Controller are Google, Amazon, and Intel Corporation.
Top paying companies in Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology for Controller are Bayer and Thermo Fisher Scientific.
The top paying company in Aerospace & Defense for Controller is Safran.
Top paying companies in Manufacturing for Controller are Abbott, Flex, and Nestlé Purina U.S..
Energy, Mining & Utilities
$203,143
Energy, Mining & Utilities
Top paying companies in Energy, Mining & Utilities for Controller are Phillips 66, Energy Transfer, and ExxonMobil.
Information Technology
$197,327
Energy, Mining & Utilities
Top paying companies in Energy, Mining & Utilities for Controller are Phillips 66, Energy Transfer, and ExxonMobil.
Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology
$171,730
Energy, Mining & Utilities
Top paying companies in Energy, Mining & Utilities for Controller are Phillips 66, Energy Transfer, and ExxonMobil.
Aerospace & Defense
$165,325
Energy, Mining & Utilities
Top paying companies in Energy, Mining & Utilities for Controller are Phillips 66, Energy Transfer, and ExxonMobil.
Manufacturing
$159,063
Energy, Mining & Utilities
Top paying companies in Energy, Mining & Utilities for Controller are Phillips 66, Energy Transfer, and ExxonMobil.
Recent salaries shared by Controller
50 salaries
Job Title | Years of Experience
Total Pay
Location
Date submitted
Job Title | Years of Experience
Location
Date submitted
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Controller
15+ years
$103K/yr
$102K • $938
Brandon, FL
submitted on Jun 5, 2026
$103K/yr
$102K • $938
Controller
15+ years
$127K/yr
$127K • $0
Avon, MA
submitted on Jun 3, 2026
$127K/yr
$127K • $0
Controller
10-14 years
$66K/yr
$66K • $0
Boise, ID
submitted on Jun 3, 2026
$66K/yr
$66K • $0
Controller
1-3 years
$102K - $119K/yr
Rochester, NY
submitted on Jun 3, 2026
$102K - $119K/yr
Controller
1-3 years
$120K - $140K/yr
Pelham, AL
submitted on Jun 2, 2026
$120K - $140K/yr
Anonymously share your salary to help the community.
Controller
15+ years
$181K/yr
$162K • $19K
Nashville, TN
submitted on Jun 2, 2026
$181K/yr
$162K • $19K
Controller
15+ years
$119K/yr
$119K • $0
Naples, FL
submitted on Jun 1, 2026
$119K/yr
$119K • $0
Controller
15+ years
$214K/yr
$164K • $50K
Stamford, CT
submitted on May 31, 2026
$214K/yr
$164K • $50K
Controller
15+ years
$234K/yr
$234K • $0
Columbus, OH
submitted on May 31, 2026
$234K/yr
$234K • $0
Controller
15+ years
$156K/yr
$156K • $0
Auburn, AL
submitted on May 31, 2026
$156K/yr
$156K • $0
Viewing 1 - 10 of 50
Glassdoor Economist Pay Overview
What is the pay outlook for Finance & Accounting?
Jobs in finance and accounting are expected to see continued demand, with employment growth linked to the health of the broader economy. These jobs will continue to offer above average pay but usually require higher education or certification to enter the field. While automation will replace many common tasks, it is not expected to reduce the need for these employees; it will instead allow them to focus on core soft skills like advising clients and analyzing trends.Show more
Controller salary in US
A Controller salary range in US can vary based on important factors such as education, skills, certifications, and years of experience. A Controller in US can expect to see an entry level salary range of $57,032 to $164,988 per year, based on 12,772 salary contributions. At the highest seniority level, an experienced Controller in US can make a salary range of $84,646 to $197,842 with at least 2 years of experience, based on 73 salary contributions. The top 3 companies in US where a Controller gets the highest compensation are The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Bloomberg L.P. and D.R. Horton, Inc.. Bigger companies typically pay 11.06% more than smaller companies for a Controller.Show more
Frequently asked questions about Controller salaries
How much does a Controller in United States make?
The average salary for a Controller is $159,266 per year or $77 per hour in United States, which is in line with the national average. Top earners have reported making up to $267,703 (90th percentile). However, the typical pay range in United States is between $122,250 (25th percentile) and $210,349 (75th percentile) annually. Salary estimates are based on 13340 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Controller employees in United States as of June 2026.
What is the highest salary for a Controller in United States?
The highest salary for a Controller in United States is $210,349 per year, $17,529 per month or $101 per hour.
What is the lowest salary for a Controller in United States?
The lowest salary for a Controller in United States is $122,250 per year, $10,188 per month or $59 per hour.
What is the salary trajectory of a Controller?
The salary trajectory of a Controller ranges between locations and employers. The salary starts at $93,384 per year (estimate) and goes up to $309,165 per year (estimate) for the highest level of seniority.
What is the Salary Trend for Controllers?
Controllers are often among the top earning individuals in an organization. This premium reflects their extensive experience and critical role. Controllers for private sector firms can usually increase their pay by making companies more profitable and earning bonuses. Additionally, they can establish a strong reputation and move to larger firms.
Powered by Glassdoor Economic Research
Do Controllers Make Good Money in United States?
According to anonymous employee ratings, about 73% of controllers are content with their salaries. Bonuses and profit sharing could add an average of $42,287.95 to their yearly salaries. Education and experience can also help increase compensation, which may qualify them as making good money.
How to Make More Money as a Controller
Seeking a master's degree could help you make more money as a controller. Some employers require applicants to have a master's of business administration (MBA). Likewise, earning a certified public accountant (CPA) certification could provide high-paying job opportunities. Some states require a certain amount of college credits and job experience before you can take the CPA exam. Another method is to acquire years of on-the-job experience to make your resume stand out. Learning new skills, software, and programming languages allows you to take on bigger projects, which potentially leads to bonuses and overtime hours.
How to Negotiate a Higher Salary as a Controller
Discuss your education when you apply for new controller jobs. If you have a bachelor's or master's degree, talk about your field of study and how it applies to the job you're applying for. Mention your years of experience, and discuss the advanced projects that you completed with other employers. Highlight the certifications that you've earned, particularly a CPA designation. Similarly, note the programs and software that you can use, such as Microsoft Office and accounting systems. You could also list related in-demand skills, such as giving presentations, taking on leadership roles, and working with clients.