Accountant Hourly Pay in Champaign, IL: $34.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Champaign, IL runs $34.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,488 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Champaign's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,899 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Champaign, Illinois, the accountant hourly pay stands at a median rate of $34.37, which reflects a noticeable variance compared to the national median hourly wage of $41.28. For professionals considering part-time roles or per-diem positions, this hourly rate provides insight into what they can expect while working in various environments like corporate finance offices or tax season work-from-home settings. The hourly pay in the city ranges from $25.66 for entry-level positions to about $54.08 for top earners in the field. This data, projected from the 2025 BLS OEWS figures, outlines the financial landscape for accountants in Champaign and shows potential earnings for both seasoned and new professionals.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.66 | $205.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.73 | $229.85 |
| Median (P50) | $34.37 | $274.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.47 | $347.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.08 | $432.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Champaign
Based on $34.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.37/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Champaign, IL can expect to earn approximately $71,499 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,249. With a cost-of-living index of 92.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Champaign.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Champaign
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,374.97 | $5,958 | $71,499 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $824.98 | $3,575 | $42,899 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $549.99 | $2,383 | $28,599 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Champaign) | $34.37 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Bookkeeping / Accounting Clerk (National Avg) | $22.93 |
| Auditor (National Avg) | $39.88 |
| Tax Examiner / Collector (National Avg) | $29.61 |
Accountants in Champaign, IL earn a median of $71,488 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.74% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 9.10% below the Illinois state average of $78,645.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.37/hr = $42,899/year (purchasing power: $46,275).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,499/year (purchasing power: $77,126).
CoL index: 92.704 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+19.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Champaign (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Champaign grew 13.6% from $29.50/hr (2019) to $33.50/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.27/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem accountants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Champaign metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.61% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Accountant in Champaign
When analyzing part-time earning potential, a three-day workweek translating to approximately 24 hours could yield an annual income of around $42,553, significantly lower than the total for full-time positions. For accountants willing to work per-diem or in contract roles, rates can vary dramatically based on specialization, with skilled professionals potentially earning between $50 and $130 per hour, especially during the busy seasons. Notably, forensic or valuation experts can command even higher fees, ranging from $300 to $600 per hour for litigation support. Employment type also impacts hourly rates, with Big 4 firms typically offering competitive pay, while mid-tier firms and government positions might provide lower wages with benefits. It’s crucial for accountants in Champaign to negotiate effectively, weighing the importance of benefits against higher pay rates that come without insurance or retirement contributions. Understanding these dynamics can help accounting professionals make informed career choices.
More salary data for Champaign, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sofia Patel, CPA
Career Analyst
Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for accountants in Champaign. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov