Accountant Hourly Pay in Rockford, IL: $37.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Rockford, IL runs $37.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,224 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Rockford's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.2, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,331 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rockford, the anticipated accountant hourly pay for 2026 stands at $37.12. This figure is relatively lower compared to the national hourly median of $41.28, highlighting a distinct regional wage gap for accounting professionals in Illinois. For those considering part-time opportunities, working just three days a week typically involves a commitment of around 24 hours, which would yield a significant annual income, particularly given the demand for accounting skills in various settings such as client engagement rooms at public firms, corporate finance departments, and remote offices during tax season. The hourly rate spectrum in Rockford ranges from $23.66 for entry-level positions to $57.22 for the top earners, reflecting diverse expertise levels and roles within the field. This data is sourced from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics, ensuring a reliable reference point for prospective accountants in the area.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.66 | $189.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.16 | $233.29 |
| Median (P50) | $37.12 | $296.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.68 | $381.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.22 | $457.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rockford
Based on $37.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.12/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rockford, IL can expect to earn approximately $77,219 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,549. With a cost-of-living index of 92.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rockford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rockford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,484.97 | $6,435 | $77,219 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $890.98 | $3,861 | $46,331 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $593.99 | $2,574 | $30,887 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Rockford) | $37.12 |
| 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 Rockford, IL earn a median of $77,224 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.06% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 1.80% below the Illinois state average of $78,640.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.12/hr = $46,331/year (purchasing power: $50,276).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,219/year (purchasing power: $83,793).
CoL index: 92.154 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Rockford grew 24.5% from $29.06/hr (2019) to $36.18/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.09/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 Rockford 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 Rockford
Part-time accountants working 24 hours a week can expect a considerable annual income, although it would still fall short of what full-time accountants earn. Additionally, those seeking per-diem opportunities in the Rockford area might find themselves billing between $50-$95 per hour depending on their specialty, with former Big 4 employees able to command $80-$130 during the busy season. Forensic and valuation experts functioning as expert witnesses can significantly increase their earnings, with rates hitting between $300-$600 per hour in litigation settings. Accounting hourly rates vary widely, influenced by the type of employer; while Big 4 firms offer competitive salaries, regional CPA firms, corporate accounting departments, and government agencies could present different hourly pay structures. Accountants often face a trade-off between accepting lower hourly wages for benefits such as health insurance or opting for higher rates that lack these perks. To navigate their compensation effectively, professionals in Rockford should focus on transparent negotiations, emphasizing their specialized skills and experience to seek optimal pay rates that meet their financial and personal needs.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 Rockford. 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