Salary · Finance & Accounting
CMA (IMA) salary: what it pays (2026)
Indicative pay ranges for roles that commonly value CMA - broken down by role and by market. These are orientation figures, not a salary survey, so use them to compare and plan, then verify for your own city and year.
Indicative ranges for orientation only - not surveyed data, and not financial or career advice.
What CMA tends to pay
CMAs in the US commonly report median base salaries around ~$110k-125k, with total compensation including bonus commonly reaching ~$130k-140k per the IMA compensation survey. Indicative and rising with seniority.
Pay by role (indicative)
| Staff / Cost Accountant | ~$60k-80k base |
|---|---|
| Management Accountant | ~$75k-100k base |
| Senior Financial Analyst | ~$90k-115k base |
| Finance Manager / Controller | ~$115k-150k base |
| Director of Finance | ~$140k-180k base |
Bands are indicative US figures unless stated. Actual pay depends on experience, employer, city and year.
Other markets (indicative)
| United Kingdom | ~£40k-70k |
|---|---|
| Canada | ~CA$70k-110k |
| Germany | ~€55k-85k |
Jobs that often ask for it
- Management Accountant
- Cost Accountant
- Financial Analyst
- Finance Manager
- Controller
Weigh the pay against the cost
Salary is only half the picture. Before you commit, check what CMA actually costs to sit and maintain, and where it can take you over a career.
- See the full fee breakdown in the CMA cost and overview (exam fee, retake, materials and renewal).
- Estimate your total spend, including a possible retake, with our exam cost calculator.
Where CMA leads (with a pay ladder)
These career paths show how pay typically climbs stage by stage, and where CMA fits on the way up:
- How to become a portfolio manager with certifications
- How to become a qualified accountant: CPA, ACCA or CMA