How much does a Controller make?
Experience
- All years of Experience
- 0-1 Years
- 1-3 Years
- 4-6 Years
- 7-9 Years
- 10-14 Years
- 15+ Years
Industry
- All industries
- Legal
- Aerospace & Defense
- Agriculture
- Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
- Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology
- Management & Consulting
- Construction, Repair & Maintenance Services
- Personal Consumer Services
- Education
- Financial Services
- Government & Public Administration
- Healthcare
- Information Technology
- Insurance
- Manufacturing
- Media & Communication
- Nonprofit & NGO
- Energy, Mining & Utilities
- Real Estate
- Restaurants & Food Service
- Retail & Wholesale
- Telecommunications
- Transportation & Logistics
- Hotels & Travel Accommodation
- Human Resources & Staffing
$151K
/yrThe estimated total pay for a Controller is $151,341 per year in the United States area, with an average salary of $126,506 per year. These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated additional pay is $24,835 per year. Additional pay could include cash bonus, commission, tips, and profit sharing. The "Most Likely Range" represents values that exist within the 25th and 75th percentile of all pay data available for this role.
How accurate is this most likely Total Pay range (base + additional) of $118K-$195K/yr?
For Controller
Download as data table
What is the total pay trajectory for Controller?
| Job Title | Salary |
|---|---|
| Controller | $151,341 /yr |
| Senior Controller | $169,775 /yr |
| Lead Controller | $155,442 /yr |
Top Paying Companies
For a Controller in United States
Below is the total pay for the top 10 highest paying companies for a Controller in United States. Employers include Google, Amazon and Microsoft.
Top Paying Companies
For Controller in United States
| 1 | $295,438 | ||
| 2 | Amazon | $257,796 | |
| 3 | Microsoft | $256,120 | |
| 4 | Cisco Systems | $244,745 | |
| 5 | Intel Corporation | $233,304 | |
| 6 | The Blackstone Group | $221,552 | |
| 7 | SAP | $212,193 | |
| 8 | Kinder Morgan | $200,863 | |
| 9 | Aduro Advisors | $188,992 | |
| 10 | Bayer | $186,403 |
For Controller
Download as data table
What is the total pay trajectory for Controller?
| Job Title | Salary |
|---|---|
| Controller | $151,341 /yr |
| Senior Controller | $169,775 /yr |
| Lead Controller | $155,442 /yr |
What are total pay estimates for a Controller at different companies?
- Popular
- Most Reports
- Salary: high to low
- Salary: low to high
$68,440
/ yr
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$76,293
/ yr
$54,670
/ yr
$63,974
/ yr
$81,948
/ yr
$75,975
/ yr
$67,827
/ yr
$78,992
/ yrController Salaries
Top Paying Industries
For a Controller in United States
The top 5 paying industries for a Controller in United States are Information Technology with a median total pay of $222,748, Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology with a median total pay of $173,981, Energy, Mining & Utilities with a median total pay of $160,813, Agriculture with a median total pay of $155,876, and Financial Services with a median total pay of $154,592.
- Pharmaceutical & BiotechnologyPharmaceutical & Biotechnology$173,981
15% Higher than other industries
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.
Recent Salaries Shared
For controller
Job Title
Location
Total Pay
Base Pay | Additional Pay
Total Years of Experience
Years at Recent Employer
Submitted
Date or Time
United States of America
| 4-6 years
/yr
Submitted Yesterday
United States of America
| 4-6 years
/yr
$110K | $936K
Submitted Yesterday
United States of America
| 10-14 years
/yr
Submitted Yesterday
United States of America
| 7-9 years
/yr
$105K | $25K
Submitted Yesterday
United States of America
| 15+ years
/yr
$86K | $5K
Submitted Yesterday
United States of America
| 4-6 years
/yr
Submitted Yesterday
United States of America
| 10-14 years
/yr
Submitted Yesterday
United States of America
| 15+ years
/yr
Submitted Yesterday
United States of America
| 10-14 years
/yr
Submitted Yesterday
Controller pay FAQ
The average salary for a Controller is $151,341 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 10546 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Controller employees in United States.
The highest salary for a Controller in United States is $195,448 per year.
The lowest salary for a Controller in United States is $118,227 per year.
If you are thinking of becoming a Controller or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Controller.
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.
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According to anonymous employee ratings, about 75% of controllers are content with their salaries. Bonuses and profit sharing could add an average of $24,833.35 to their yearly salaries. Education and experience can also help increase compensation, which may qualify them as making good money.
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.
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.