Accountant Salary in Illinois: $83,975 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Illinois's 65 metropolitan areas, the average median accountant pay sits at $83,975/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 13-2011. Because Illinois sits at BEA RPP 97.1 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $86,483 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Springfield ($86,440), Naperville ($83,220), Chicago ($82,360).

Accountant Salary in Illinois - 2025 BLS Data Infographic — Illinois accountant salary overview (2026)

$83,975

Avg Median Salary

$40.38

Avg Hourly Rate

47,721

Metro Employed

Cities

In 2026, the average median salary for accountants in Illinois is projected to be $83,975, slightly below the national median of $85,864 by 2.2%. The highest paying city for accountants is Springfield at $88,696, while Urbana offers the lowest salary at $71,228, creating a salary gap of $17,468. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for accounting services, and the concentration of businesses within metropolitan areas. Illinois has specific licensing requirements for accountants, which include passing the CPA exam and meeting education standards, thus ensuring a high level of professional competence. The demand for accountants is driven by a growing economy and the ongoing need for financial compliance, positioning the job market favorably with a projected growth rate of 2.61%. The top five cities with the highest projected salaries for accountants in 2026 are Springfield, Naperville at $85,392, Chicago at $84,510, Elgin at $83,755, and Peoria at $81,616. As the profession continues to evolve, those considering a career in accounting in Illinois can expect opportunities for growth and advancement in various sectors.

Illinois Accountant Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)

$60,130

avg across 65 cities

Median

$83,975

state average

Top Earners (90th %ile)

$136,367

avg across 65 cities

Overall salary range in Illinois: $48,947 (lowest entry-level) to $145,285 (highest top earner)

Illinois vs National Average

Illinois

$83,975

National Median

$85,864

Illinois accountants earn 2.2% less than the national median ($-1,889/year difference).

Illinois Accountant Salary Distribution (2026)

Accountant salaries in Illinois range from $60,130 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $136,367 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $83,975. The Illinois median is $1,889 below the US national median of $85,864. The average hourly rate is $40.38/hr. Approximately 47,721 accountants are employed across 65 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$71,341

2025 BLS Actual

$81,839

2026 Current Est.

$83,975

2019–2027 Growth

+20.8%

Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Illinois (2019–2027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected

Year	Annual Salary	Status
2019	$71,341	Actual
2020	$72,259	Actual
2021	$75,920	Actual
2022	$76,917	Actual
2023	$78,338	Actual
2024	$80,571	Actual
2025	$81,839	Actual
2026(current)	$83,975	Estimated
2027	$86,167	Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Illinois metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 14.7% from $71,341 (2019) to $81,839 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,167 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,826 (20.78%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Illinois 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.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Illinois

Springfield

1,600 employed · $42.64/hr

$88,696

+5.62% vs avg

Naperville

23 employed · $41.05/hr

$85,392

+1.69% vs avg

Chicago

41,360 employed · $40.63/hr

$84,510

+0.64% vs avg

Elgin

16 employed · $40.26/hr

$83,755

-0.26% vs avg

Peoria

1,350 employed · $39.24/hr

$81,616

-2.81% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Illinois

City	Median Salary	vs State Avg	Hourly
Urbana	$71,228	-15.18%	$34.24
Champaign	$71,488	-14.87%	$34.37
Kankakee	$73,479	-12.50%	$35.33
Carbondale	$73,635	-12.31%	$35.40
Elmhurst	$74,368	-11.44%	$35.75

Best Value Cities for Accountants in Illinois

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Illinois cities offer the most purchasing power for accountants.

City	Nominal Salary	CoL Index	Adjusted Salary
Springfield	$88,696	92.745	$95,634
Peoria	$81,616	91.231	$89,461
Decatur	$78,722	88.422	$89,030
Naperville	$85,392	97.1	$87,942
Elgin	$83,755	97.1	$86,256

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Illinois

Experience Level	Estimated Annual	Est. Hourly	Description
Entry Level (0-2 years)	$60,130	$28.91	10th percentile, new graduates
Mid Career (3-7 years)	$83,975	$40.38	50th percentile, median salary
Experienced (7+ years)	$136,367	$65.56	90th percentile, top earners

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Illinois metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 65 Cities in Illinois

#	City	Median Salary	Hourly	Entry (P10)	Top (P90)	Employed
1	Springfield	$88,696	$42.64	$59,093	$145,285	1,600
2	Naperville	$85,392	$41.05	$54,315	$132,358	23
3	Chicago	$84,510	$40.63	$61,084	$137,600	41,360
4	Elgin	$83,755	$40.26	$57,047	$129,821	16
5	Peoria	$81,616	$39.24	$54,291	$134,070	1,350
6	Moline	$81,036	$38.96	$54,918	$125,606	10
7	Rock Island	$79,781	$38.36	$52,330	$123,661	5
8	Orland Park	$79,712	$38.32	$53,552	$123,553	9
9	Bolingbrook	$79,370	$38.16	$50,122	$123,023	19
10	Palatine	$78,772	$37.87	$51,075	$122,096	16
11	Waukegan	$78,729	$37.85	$51,300	$122,029	18
12	Decatur	$78,722	$37.85	$53,244	$116,975	260
13	Mount Prospect	$78,579	$37.78	$50,960	$121,797	13
14	Bloomington	$78,507	$37.74	$50,535	$120,987	750
15	Hoffman Estates	$78,323	$37.66	$50,384	$121,401	8
16	Evanston	$78,174	$37.59	$50,048	$121,170	16
17	Joliet	$78,108	$37.56	$52,612	$121,067	25
18	Oak Park	$78,043	$37.52	$49,754	$120,967	10
19	Danville	$77,882	$37.44	$53,572	$120,718	5
20	Addison	$77,717	$37.36	$53,181	$120,461	6
21	Berwyn	$77,682	$37.35	$48,947	$120,407	12
22	Aurora	$77,632	$37.32	$51,560	$120,329	44
23	Tinley Park	$77,620	$37.32	$54,700	$120,311	8
24	Northbrook	$77,540	$37.28	$52,681	$120,187	8
25	St. Charles	$77,491	$37.26	$52,648	$120,111	7
26	Gurnee	$77,474	$37.25	$52,605	$120,084	8
27	Arlington Heights	$77,365	$37.20	$54,432	$119,915	18
28	Wheaton	$77,265	$37.14	$54,203	$119,761	14
29	Woodridge	$77,242	$37.13	$51,979	$119,724	9
30	Rockford	$77,224	$37.12	$49,212	$119,017	850
31	Schaumburg	$77,203	$37.11	$53,981	$119,664	13
32	Buffalo Grove	$77,180	$37.10	$55,879	$119,629	7
33	Bartlett	$77,174	$37.10	$51,903	$119,620	9
34	Lake in the Hills	$76,888	$36.97	$51,152	$119,176	6
35	Collinsville	$76,875	$36.96	$51,205	$119,157	5
36	Skokie	$76,854	$36.95	$53,187	$119,123	12
37	Wheeling	$76,741	$36.90	$54,832	$118,949	6
38	Carpentersville	$76,656	$36.86	$54,711	$118,816	8
39	Oak Lawn	$76,606	$36.83	$52,388	$118,738	14
40	O'Fallon	$76,589	$36.83	$50,540	$118,714	6
41	Quincy	$76,290	$36.67	$49,848	$118,249	6
42	Algonquin	$76,290	$36.67	$49,526	$118,249	5
43	Carol Stream	$76,223	$36.64	$49,694	$118,145	10
44	Normal	$76,219	$36.64	$49,606	$118,139	8
45	Lombard	$76,174	$36.62	$49,581	$118,069	8
46	Cicero	$76,095	$36.58	$51,550	$117,946	21
47	Plainfield	$76,016	$36.55	$55,166	$117,824	11
48	Des Plaines	$76,001	$36.54	$51,342	$117,801	12
49	Oswego	$75,710	$36.40	$54,445	$117,350	7
50	DeKalb	$75,649	$36.36	$54,621	$117,257	9
51	Park Ridge	$75,589	$36.34	$54,478	$117,162	7
52	Hanover Park	$75,558	$36.32	$54,405	$117,115	6
53	Glenview	$75,552	$36.32	$54,390	$117,106	12
54	Romeoville	$75,247	$36.18	$53,675	$116,633	7
55	Streamwood	$75,143	$36.13	$53,432	$116,473	8
56	Downers Grove	$75,003	$36.06	$53,105	$116,254	11
57	Belleville	$74,984	$36.05	$53,063	$116,225	10
58	Crystal Lake	$74,862	$36.00	$52,778	$116,037	9
59	Galesburg	$74,576	$35.85	$52,114	$115,592	4
60	Calumet City	$74,551	$35.84	$52,057	$115,554	7
61	Elmhurst	$74,368	$35.75	$51,634	$115,270	9
62	Carbondale	$73,635	$35.40	$55,334	$114,134	5
63	Kankakee	$73,479	$35.33	$50,248	$119,643	210
64	Champaign	$71,488	$34.37	$53,388	$112,471	730
65	Urbana	$71,228	$34.24	$51,936	$110,403	6

More Illinois Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore accountant hourly pay in Illinois cities.

Springfield →Naperville →Chicago →

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new accountants.

Springfield →Naperville →Chicago →

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced accountants.

Springfield →Naperville →Chicago →

Compare Cities in Illinois

Chicago, ILvsSpringfield, IL Chicago, ILvsPeoria, IL Chicago, ILvsRockford, IL Chicago, ILvsBloomington, IL Chicago, ILvsChampaign, IL Chicago, ILvsDecatur, IL

View all comparisons →

Explore More Accountant Salary Data

National OverviewMedian salary & full US data Entry-Level SalariesStarting pay & new grad earnings Hourly Pay RatesPer-hour rates & part-time income Highest Paying StatesTop states ranked by salary

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do accountants make in Illinois in 2026?

The average median accountant salary in Illinois is $83,975/year across 65 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $71,228 in Urbana to $88,696 in Springfield. This makes Illinois 2.2% below the national median of $85,864. The state employs approximately 47,721 accountants.

What is the highest paying city for accountants in Illinois?

Springfield offers the highest accountant salary in Illinois at $88,696/year ($42.64/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Springfield ($88,696), Naperville ($85,392), Chicago ($84,510). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for accounting services, and competition among employers for licensed accountants.

How does Illinois accountant pay compare to the national average?

Illinois's average accountant salary of $83,975 is 2.2% below the national median of $85,864 in 2026. The state employs approximately 47,721 accountants across 65 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level accountant salary in Illinois?

Entry-level accountants (10th percentile) in Illinois earn approximately $60,130/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $48,947 in lower-paying areas to $61,084 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many accountants are employed in Illinois?

Illinois employs approximately 47,721 accountants across 65 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. This makes Illinois one of the larger employers of accountants nationally. Demand continues to grow as the accounting field expands and the population ages.

Which Illinois city offers the best value for accountants?

When adjusted for cost of living, Springfield offers the highest purchasing power for accountants in Illinois, with an adjusted salary of $95,634 (nominal: $88,696, CoL index: 92.745). This means your dollar goes 8% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Chen, CMAData verified by Amina Khan, MBA

Methodology & Data Source

Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 accountant compensation across Illinois. State averages are employment-weighted across 65 metro areas — larger metro areas with more accountantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (2019–2025). 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

Last verified: June 9, 2026

Share:Facebook X LinkedIn Email