How Much Does Bookkeeping Cost in 2025? State Data vs. Real Bills

Money has a way of slipping through the cracks when you don’t know what “normal” looks like. Bookkeeping is no different. Pay too little, and you risk sloppy books that cost more to fix later. Pay too much, and you’re bleeding cash for work that doesn’t move the needle.

One way businesses handle this is by using services like Haven. At Haven, we’ve handled the books for over 500+ businesses, delivered more than 20,000 financial statements, and helped startups claim millions in R&D credits. All while keeping costs predictable and fair. 

But even then, it helps to understand how much bookkeeping really costs. That’s the question this guide is going to answer. By the end, you’ll know the ranges most small businesses fall into, the factors that push prices up or down, and how to judge whether you’re paying fairly for the work being done.

How Much Are Small Businesses Paying for Bookkeeping in the U.S.?

Bookkeeping costs can be looked at from two angles: government data on wages across states and what business owners actually say they’re paying. Together, these perspectives provide a clearer picture of what’s reasonable for different business sizes and setups.

Bookkeeping costs in the U.S.

How Bookkeeping Costs Vary by State

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks in 2024 was $49,210, or $23.66 per hour. Looking at averages by state, there’s clear variation:

• Higher-cost states ($27–$29/hr averages): California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Washington, and Connecticut consistently show the highest pay for bookkeepers. These are states with large metros, higher costs of living, and tight labor markets.

• Mid-range states ($23–$26/hr averages): The bulk of the country falls in this band, including Texas, Florida, Illinois, Oregon, Nevada, and Virginia. 

• Lower-cost states ($20–$22/hr averages): Places like Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, West Virginia, and South Dakota come in lowest. Local labor costs are lower, and businesses may find hourly or monthly packages cheaper, though the limited supply of skilled bookkeepers in rural areas can push prices up.

The map below (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023) shows how average annual wages for bookkeepers vary by state. While the exact figures may have shifted slightly since then, the visual gives a clear sense of which regions tend to run higher or lower in cost.

Bookkeeping costs by state in 2024

This means a full-time, in-house bookkeeper can cost anywhere from the low $40,000s to nearly $60,000 per year in salary alone, before adding benefits and payroll costs.

One thing to note is that although geography does influence costs, it's not always in a straight line. Big-city markets drive up prices, yet even in “cheaper” states, complexity and demand can make rates competitive with coastal hubs. 

But while this data tells us what bookkeepers earn as employees, it doesn’t fully capture what business owners actually pay when they hire someone to take care of their books. For that, it’s helpful to look at real-world experiences. 

What Businesses Report Paying for Bookkeeping

After digging through various Reddit forums where business owners share their actual experiences, we found that many are paying anywhere from $250 to $900 per month for bookkeeping services, depending on the size and complexity of their operations.

For example, some owners running businesses with a few hundred monthly transactions report paying around $400–$600 per month, while others with higher revenue or additional needs like payroll and accounts payable said their fees climb closer to $1,000 per month or more. People also mentioned that freelance bookkeepers charge hourly, anywhere between $30 and $75 per hour. 

For larger or more complex businesses (restaurants with inventory or firms with payroll), the numbers are often higher, sometimes crossing $1,500–$2,000 monthly.

Here's a quick summary of what different businesses say they’re paying (from Reddit scans)

Bringing the two perspectives together

Both sets of numbers are useful, just in different ways. The BLS data shows the underlying labor market — the “floor” that costs are built on — while small business owner reports illustrate the real bills companies are paying. 

For most businesses, this means budgeting somewhere between $500 and $900 per month for standard bookkeeping, and $1,000–$2,000 per month if you need payroll, inventory tracking, or more complex support. 

If you’re weighing the numbers against value, here’s a guide on hiring a bookkeeper for your small business that outlines what to expect.

But don’t just fall into the trap of cutting corners on bookkeeping. Cheap or sloppy work often ends up costing more down the road. Whether it’s paying someone to clean up messy books, missing out on deductions, or even facing penalties. Getting it done right the first time saves both money and peace of mind.

Factors Affecting Your Bookkeeping Costs

Bookkeeping costs don’t come from a flat price tag. They’re shaped by a handful of factors that differ for every business.

A big one is how many transactions you have each month. If you’re running a small consulting firm with just a few invoices and expenses, the work is lighter. A retail shop with hundreds of sales and vendor payments, on the other hand, takes much more time to reconcile.

Complexity matters too. Do you run payroll? Track inventory? Operate across multiple states or with several bank accounts? Each layer adds steps for your bookkeeper and pushes the fee higher.

It also helps to think about what’s included in the service. Some bookkeepers simply categorize transactions and produce monthly reports. Others handle accounts payable, tax prep, or even advise you on cash flow. Naturally, a broader scope brings a higher bill.

A few other questions to keep in mind:

• Do you want a weekly check-in, or is a monthly close enough?

• Is your bookkeeping clean already, or will there be catch-up work first?

• Are you working with a solo freelancer, a local firm, or a larger online service?

The point isn’t to chase the lowest price but to match the cost with the value. A fair rate is one that fits your workload, gives you reliable numbers, and frees up your time to focus on running the business.

Predictable and Unpredictable Bookkeeping costs

The real test is in the output. A good bookkeeper should leave you with:

• Accurate monthly reports you can actually read and use

• Timely reconciliations so you’re not guessing at your cash balance

• Preparedness for tax season without a mad scramble when it's time to file your taxes

• Answers to questions in plain English, not just accounting jargon

If you’re paying a premium and not getting these basics, you might be overpaying. On the other hand, if you’re paying bargain prices but constantly cleaning up errors, chasing missing receipts, or explaining your books to investors, you’re underpaying in the most expensive way: your own time and missed opportunities.

For a broader view of how your books tie into savings, explore these small business tax planning strategies. 

Make Sure You’re Not Leaving Money on the Table

Many small businesses pay more in taxes than they need to, simply because their bookkeeping and tax setup isn’t optimized. Clean books are just the starting point — the real value comes from knowing where deductions, credits, and timing strategies can reduce your bill.

That’s exactly what our free Tax Savings Strategy Call is designed to uncover. In this call, a Haven CPA will:

• Review how your books and tax filings are currently structured

• Identify specific deductions or credits you may be missing (such as R&D credits or payroll tax offsets)

• Estimate the potential savings for your business

• Give you a prioritized action plan you can use right away

You’ll walk away with a clear picture of where money is being left behind and how to fix it — whether you work with us or not.

👉 Book your free Tax Savings Strategy Call today and see how much of your hard-earned revenue you can legally keep.