What Does a Bookkeeper Cost in the US in 2025?
Bookkeeping costs vary widely depending on whether you hire in-house, use a freelancer, or outsource. Here's a breakdown:
In-House Bookkeeper (Full-Time Employee)
| Item | Annual Cost |
|---|
|------|------------|
| Salary (national average) | $45,000 – $60,000 |
|---|---|
| Health insurance | $6,000 – $12,000 |
| Paid leave, overhead | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| **Total cost to employer** | **$60,000 – $87,000/year** |
And that's before you factor in recruitment costs, training time, and turnover risk.
Freelance Bookkeeper
Freelance bookkeepers typically charge $25–$75/hour depending on experience and location. For a business needing 10 hours/month, that's $3,000–$9,000/year. For 40+ hours/month, costs quickly approach in-house levels.
Freelancers also come with risk: no backup when they're sick or on vacation, and limited accountability.
Offshore Bookkeeping Service
Offshore bookkeeping through a provider like OneSky Offshore typically costs 40–60% less than local hiring. You get:
- A dedicated, vetted bookkeeper (not a rotating freelancer)
- Proficiency in US GAAP and platforms like QuickBooks, Xero, Sage
- A backup team structure so work never stops
- No recruitment, benefits, or overhead costs
For many US small businesses and CPA firms, this is the sweet spot — consistent quality at a predictable, lower cost.
What Affects Bookkeeping Costs?
- Transaction volume — More transactions = more hours
- Industry complexity — Construction, real estate, and healthcare have more moving parts than retail
- Software used — Some platforms require specialized expertise
- Catch-up work — If your books are behind, expect additional one-time costs to get current
- Payroll and tax support — These add cost but are often bundled at a discount with full-service providers
Is Offshore Bookkeeping Safe?
Yes — when done with a reputable provider. Look for NDAs, data encryption, role-based access controls, and a track record with US clients. Your financial data should never be stored on personal devices or shared through unencrypted channels.
Bottom Line
For most US businesses with consistent bookkeeping needs, offshore bookkeeping delivers the best value: lower cost, consistent quality, and no HR headaches. For complex advisory or tax strategy work, keep that with a local CPA.
Get a free consultation to see what offshore bookkeeping would cost for your specific situation.