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2026 North Texas Salary Data
How Much Do Corporate Controllers Make in Dallas?
Corporate controllers in Dallas earn a median salary of $199,298 in 2026, with most falling between $165,662 and $232,934 depending on company size, SEC reporting requirements, and organizational complexity.
Check Your SalaryDallas-Fort Worth Median
$199,298
Corporate Controller
25th Pctl$165,662
75th Pctl$232,934
PrideStaff Financial 2026 North Texas Salary Guide
Salary Breakdown
Corporate Controller Salary by Career Level
Corporate controller is the highest operational accounting role in most organizations. Here's how it fits in the leadership path.
A corporate controller in Dallas typically earns between $165,662 and $232,934 per year. The median of $199,298 represents a substantial jump from assistant controller at $128,123, reflecting full ownership of the accounting function, audit relationships, and financial statement integrity. For controllers at large enterprises, the path to CAO at $245,649 adds executive-level influence and strategic accounting authority. The salary guide identifies Controllers as one of the "highest demand" roles in the current Dallas market. DFW companies in Plano, Irving, and Uptown are competing for experienced controllers who can lead their accounting organizations through growth, compliance, and system transformations.
What Drives Pay
Factors That Affect Corporate Controller Salary in Dallas
Four factors determine where a corporate controller falls within the $165K to $232K range.
Public vs. Private & SEC Reporting
- Public company controllers with SEC reporting responsibility (10-K, 10-Q, proxy) earn at the 75th percentile or above. SOX compliance ownership is the single biggest pay driver at this level.
- Private company controllers earn less on base but many receive profit-sharing, phantom equity, or transaction bonuses that close the total compensation gap
- PE-backed private companies often pay controller salaries closer to public company levels because the reporting and compliance demands during growth, acquisition, and potential exit are equally rigorous
Organization Scale & Team Size
- Controllers managing 10-20+ accounting staff across GL, AP, AR, payroll, and tax functions earn at the top of the range. The larger and more complex the team, the higher the pay.
- Multi-entity organizations with consolidation requirements across subsidiaries, divisions, or international operations pay a significant premium
- Revenue scale matters: controllers at $500M+ revenue companies earn materially more than those at $50-100M companies, even with similar team sizes
Credentials & Background
- CPA is essentially required at this level. The salary guide's 10-20% CPA premium applies here, and non-CPA controllers are rare in the Dallas market for companies with $100M+ revenue.
- Big Four audit experience (typically audit manager or senior manager before transition) is the most common path and commands a premium in the early years of controllership
- CPA plus MBA is the strongest credential combination, particularly for controllers eyeing CAO or CFO tracks
Systems & Transformation
- Controllers who have led ERP implementations or migrations (Oracle, SAP, NetSuite) earn at the top of the range. The salary guide specifically highlights system migration experience as a premium driver.
- Experience with close management tools (BlackLine, FloQast), reporting platforms (Workiva), and planning tools (Adaptive) adds incremental value
- Controllers who have driven close timeline reductions (from 15+ days to under 7) or built scalable accounting processes during rapid growth demonstrate the operational impact that justifies top-of-range compensation
Dallas vs. National
How Dallas Corporate Controller Pay Compares
Dallas is one of the strongest controller markets in the country, with deep demand and meaningful tax advantages.
Dallas-Fort Worth Median
$199,298
Corporate Controller
National Median (BLS)
$161,700
Financial Managers
The BLS "Financial Managers" category includes all levels of finance leadership. Dallas corporate controllers earn well above this national benchmark, reflecting the seniority and full-function ownership of the role.
For corporate controllers, Dallas is one of the top markets in the country on a total-value basis. Salaries are competitive with Chicago, Houston, and Atlanta, and increasingly close to New York for mid-market and PE-backed companies. Texas's no-state-income-tax advantage adds $9,000-$12,000+ annually at this salary level. The DFW metro has more Fortune 500 headquarters than any metro outside of New York, creating deep and varied controller opportunities.
Boost Your Earning Potential
Skills That Increase Corporate Controller Pay in Dallas
These qualifications help corporate controllers earn at the top of the Dallas market.
CPA (Required)
+10-20%
SEC / SOX Experience
+10-20%
ERP Implementation
+5-15%
Multi-Entity Consolidation
+5-10%
Big Four Background
+5-10%
$500M+ Revenue Scale
+10-15%
Source: 2026 North Texas Salary Guide. CPA premium: "Roles requiring a CPA, add 10-20%." Technical premiums: "System implementation experience may command 5-15% premiums." Controllers identified as "highest demand" in the salary guide's compensation growth section alongside Directors of Finance.
Put This Data to Work
How to Use This Salary Data
Whether you're targeting a controllership or hiring for this critical role, here's how to apply these numbers.
For Job Seekers
If you're an assistant controller at $128,123, the move to corporate controller at $199,298 represents over $71,000 in additional salary. Full-function ownership and demonstrated leadership across GL, reporting, and audit are what make the difference.
Already a corporate controller earning below $165,662? With CPA, Big Four background, and multi-entity experience, you're below the 25th percentile for Dallas. At this level, a confidential executive search may be the right approach.
Corporate controller is a launching pad to multiple executive roles: CAO, VP of Finance, or even CFO at the right organization. Your next move depends on whether you want to go deeper (technical accounting via CAO) or broader (strategic finance via VP/CFO).
Our G.A. Rogers executive recruiting team places corporate controllers at companies across DFW through confidential searches, including roles at public companies and PE portfolio companies.
Check Your Salary →For Employers
Your corporate controller owns the integrity of every number your company reports. This is the role that ensures your financials are accurate, your audit is clean, and your close runs efficiently. Underpaying here creates risk that extends to your board, your investors, and your lenders.
The salary guide identifies Controllers as one of the "highest demand" roles in North Texas. Posting below $165,662 will not attract experienced controllers. Budget at or above the median and expect to compete with multiple offers for top candidates.
Controller searches take 60-90+ days because the best candidates are employed and passive. Starting early and using executive search rather than job boards is the standard approach at this level.
Our G.A. Rogers team specializes in confidential controller searches. We evaluate candidates for CPA credentials, technical depth, team leadership, and the executive communication skills needed to work with CFOs, boards, and auditors.
Download the Full Salary Guide →Ready to Make Your Next Move?
Whether you're hiring a corporate controller or pursuing your next executive accounting role, our Dallas recruiters can help.
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Related North Texas Salaries
Salary data current as of February 2026. Source: PrideStaff Financial 2026 North Texas Salary Guide. Salary ranges reflect the 25th to 75th percentile for the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. National data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Skills premium estimates per salary guide footnotes and PrideStaff Financial recruiter placement data across the North Texas market. Individual compensation varies based on employer, experience, certifications, and negotiation.
