Accountant Hourly Pay in Joliet, IL: $37.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Joliet, IL runs $37.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,108 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Joliet's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,869 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Joliet, IL, the current accountant hourly pay stands at $37.56, which falls below the national average of $41.28 per hour. This discrepancy can have significant implications for accountants working part-time or in per-diem roles. For individuals working three days a week, the pay translates into a manageable income while balancing other commitments, though it may not equate to the earnings of full-time employees. Entry-level accountants in Joliet can expect to begin around $25.29 per hour, while experienced professionals can command rates up to $58.21. Hourly earnings are derived from annual salary estimates, reflecting the diverse work environments, including client engagement rooms at public firms, corporate finance departments, and remote setups during the busy tax season.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.29 | $202.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.99 | $239.94 |
| Median (P50) | $37.56 | $300.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.06 | $384.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58.21 | $465.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Joliet
Based on $37.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.56/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Joliet, IL can expect to earn approximately $78,115 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,066. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Joliet.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Joliet
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,502.21 | $6,510 | $78,115 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $901.33 | $3,906 | $46,869 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $600.88 | $2,604 | $31,246 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Joliet) | $37.56 |
| 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 Joliet, IL earn a median of $78,108 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.03% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $78,579.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.56/hr = $46,869/year (purchasing power: $48,269).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,115/year (purchasing power: $80,448).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Joliet (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Joliet grew 17.0% from $31.29/hr (2019) to $36.60/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.54/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 Joliet 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 Joliet
For part-time workers, an accountant in Joliet maintaining a three-day work schedule might earn about $46,869 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts, who are positioned for greater financial growth. Per-diem accountants often operate on a different pay scale, billing between $50 to $95 per hour based on their niche or specialty. Former Big 4 employees stepping into contract or temporary roles during tax season might see hourly rates climbing to $80-$130, particularly if they are involved in intricate tasks like forensic accounting, which can yield billing rates of $300-$600 per hour in expert witness scenarios. It's essential to recognize that compensation can vary widely across different types of employers in Joliet—public accounting firms, corporate entities, and boutique firms all offer different pay rates. Moreover, many accountants may choose positions that provide benefits, opting for lower hourly rates, while others may prioritize higher pay in less stable roles. Negotiation is key, with accountants encouraged to emphasize their skills and specialization when discussing hourly pay, ensuring they remain competitive in a transitioning job market.
More salary data for Joliet, 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 Joliet. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Joliet is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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