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Finance Careers in Austin, United States

Controller in Austin: Salary & Job Market Guide

Austin has become a major relocation destination for tech companies and workers alike, combining Texas's zero state income tax with a vibrant startup culture.

Estimated mid-level salary: $85,000 - $115,000

Estimates shown in Canadian dollar equivalents for comparison across cities. Local offers in Austin are typically made in USD.

The Austin Job Market for Controllers

  • Tesla, Oracle, and major Apple and Google campuses drive hiring
  • No state income tax and a lower cost of living than coastal hubs
  • One of the fastest-growing startup ecosystems in the US
  • Strong semiconductor cluster with Samsung and NXP

Top hiring industries in Austin: Tech, Semiconductors, Startups, Clean Energy, Media. For a controller, that means tailoring your resume to the sectors doing the most local hiring, and using the exact skill keywords those employers screen for.

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About the Controller Role

Controllers own a company's accounting function: the close, financial statements, controls, and the team that produces them. It is the most common destination for CPAs in industry and the standard stepping stone to CFO.

Skills Austin employers look for

  • Financial reporting leadership
  • Internal controls
  • Team management
  • ERP ownership
  • Audit management
  • Cash flow management
  • Process improvement

For the full career path, salary bands by seniority, and complete FAQs, see the main Controller career guide.

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Controller in Austin: FAQs

How much does a Controller make in Austin?
A mid-level Controller in Austin typically earns between $85,000 and $115,000 per year (shown in Canadian dollar equivalents for comparison; local offers are usually made in USD). Senior professionals and leads earn meaningfully more, and pay varies with company size and specialization.
What is the job market like for a Controller in Austin?
Austin has become a major relocation destination for tech companies and workers alike, combining Texas's zero state income tax with a vibrant startup culture. Key strengths of the local market include: tesla, oracle, and major apple and google campuses drive hiring; no state income tax and a lower cost of living than coastal hubs. The strongest hiring sectors are Tech, Semiconductors, Startups.
What is the difference between a controller and a CFO?
The controller runs accounting: accurate books, clean audits, strong controls. The CFO runs finance strategy: capital raising, investor relations, planning, and often IT and legal. Controllers who add FP&A exposure, treasury, and board-level communication skills position themselves for the CFO seat.
How many years of experience does it take to become a controller?
Typically eight to twelve years: several in public accounting or staff roles, then accounting manager and assistant controller stops. Smaller companies promote faster; a startup controller at year six is common, while large public-company controllerships usually require deeper SOX and reporting experience.

Controller Jobs in Other Cities

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