Controller Salary
The median annual wage for controllers in the United States is $166,570, about $80.08 an hour (BLS, May 2025). The middle half earns $125,490 to $219,980. In the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area the median is $145,940.
Data as of May 2025.
Controller pay by percentile
| Percentile | United States | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $94,310 | $84,060 |
| 25th percentile | $125,490 | $109,930 |
| Median (50th) | $166,570 | $145,940 |
| 75th percentile | $219,980 | $193,020 |
| 90th percentile | $323,270 | $269,990 |
| Mean (average) | $186,910 | $164,060 |
| Workers employed | 841,710 | 12,030 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Hourly equivalent of the U.S. median: $80.08.
U.S. Range
10th to 90th percentile, annual wage
The shaded band is the middle half of workers: $125,490 to $219,980.
BLS counted 841,710 workers in "Financial Managers" in May 2025. Their median annual wage was $166,570, so half earned less and half earned more. The mean was $186,910, pulled above the median by a smaller group of high earners. The lowest-paid tenth earned $94,310 or less and the highest-paid tenth earned $323,270 or more, about 3.4 times as much.
In the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area BLS counted 12,030 workers, about 1.4% of the national total. The metro median of $145,940 is 12% below the national median.
BLS reports this occupation as "Financial Managers" across every industry. Controllers are one of the job titles inside this group, along with treasurers, finance directors and similar roles, so the figures are broader than dealership accounting.
Controller salary by state
New York has the highest state median at $219,880 and Mississippi the lowest at $111,390, a gap of $108,490. 13 of 51 state medians are above the national figure. Arizona ranks 30th at $139,830, 16% below the national median. State medians ignore cost of living.
Ten Highest State Medians
Median annual wage, BLS
Median Pay by State
All 51 state medians. Hover or tap a state for the annual and hourly figures.
What affects controller pay
- Size and complexity of the business drive pay. A controller for a multi-store dealership group with real estate, floor plan financing and several franchises carries more responsibility than one for a single store.
- Credentials and systems experience help. Accounting degrees, a CPA license and experience with dealership accounting systems and manufacturer financial statements are common requirements for senior finance roles.
- Reporting duties include month-end close, manufacturer financial statements, floor plan and cash management, and working with the owner or general manager on results.
- Because the BLS category spans all industries, treat the numbers as a reference range for finance leadership rather than a dealership-only benchmark.
Career Path and Pay
Controllers usually grow from accounting roles, such as staff accountant or accounting manager, into running the books and close process. In a dealership, that includes manufacturer financial statements, floor plan, parts and service accounting, and cash management.
Above the controller seat are finance director, chief financial officer and similar roles at a dealership group. Each step adds oversight of more stores, financing relationships and planning, along with bonuses tied to company results.
What a Controller does
- Prepare monthly financial statements and the manufacturer financial report.
- Oversee accounting staff, accounts payable and receivable, and reconciliations.
- Maintain internal controls and help the general manager understand department results.
Controller salary: common questions
How much does a controller make?
The median is $166,570 a year, about $80.08 an hour (BLS, May 2025). The middle half earns $125,490 to $219,980.
How much does a controller make in Phoenix, Arizona?
The Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ median is $145,940, about $70.16 an hour, and the middle half earns $109,930 to $193,020.
What do the highest- and lowest-paid controllers earn?
Nationally, the top tenth earn $323,270 or more and the bottom tenth earn $94,310 or less. BLS does not report pay by years of experience, so these are not formal entry-level or senior figures.
Which state pays controllers the most?
New York ($219,880), then Massachusetts ($206,760) and New Jersey ($199,110).
What education does a controller need?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree and several years of related work experience as typical for financial managers. A CPA license is common at senior levels, and experience with dealership accounting systems is a plus in automotive.
What is the difference between a controller and an accountant?
An accountant records and reconciles transactions. A controller is responsible for the whole accounting function: the monthly close, financial statements, controls and reporting to ownership and the manufacturer, and often manages the accounting team.
Does this salary data cover automotive dealerships only?
No. BLS reports this occupation as "Financial Managers" across every industry. Controllers are one of the job titles inside this group, along with treasurers, finance directors and similar roles, so the figures are broader than dealership accounting.
How these numbers are calculated
Wages are BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) estimates for May 2025. They cover wage and salary workers, count commissions and production bonuses, and leave out the self-employed, overtime and benefits. Hourly figures are the annual wage divided by 2,080 hours, a conversion AutoHire adds. A dash means BLS did not publish a figure.
BLS publishes May 2026 estimates in spring 2027. This page updates when they are released.
Sources
- BLS OEWS, Financial Managers (11-3031), national, state and metropolitan estimates (data as of May 2025)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program overview and methods (data as of May 2025)
Data as of May 2025.
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