Accountant Salary in Chicago, IL: $84,510 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Chicago, IL earns a median $84,510/year (≈ $40.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $81,577 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the accountant salary in Chicago is projected to reach a median of $84,510, slightly trailing behind the national median of $85,864. Salaries for accountants in the city exhibit a broad range, with figures spanning from $61,084 at the 10th percentile to $137,600 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. The city's competitive accounting market not only reflects higher pay than the national average but also supports a robust workforce of around 41,360 accounting professionals. Licensure as a CPA is a crucial factor here, as it not only boosts entry-level compensation but also opens the door for significant pay increases as professionals transition from staff to senior roles within firms, especially among the Big 4 public accounting firms that dominate the market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,084 | $29.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,167 | $35.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,510 | $40.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,811 | $50.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,600 | $66.15 |
Median Salary Position
1.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,516 (2026 est.). At $84,510, the local median is 1.58% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chicago: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chicago Accountant Pay Compares
Chicago median: $84,510/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $78,614 | +7.50% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | -1.58% less |
Accountants in Chicago, IL earn a median of $84,510 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.58% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 7.50% above the Illinois state average of $78,614.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,510 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $81,577 — a 3.47% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$71,970
2025 BLS Actual
$82,360
2026 Current Est.
$84,510
2019–2027 Growth
+20.5%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,510 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,715 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 14.4% from $71,970 (2019) to $82,360 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,715 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,745 (20.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $61,084 – $74,167 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,167 – $84,510 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,510 – $105,811 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,811 – $137,600 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Chicago
Looking beyond the numbers, the cost of living in Chicago, with an index of 103.595, impacts take-home pay, making it essential for accountants to strategically navigate compensation packages. Employers that typically offer the highest salaries include the Big 4 firms—Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG—as well as regional and mid-tier CPA practices. The salary differences stem from various factors, including the necessity of a CPA license for higher-level positions, the prestige associated with public accounting firms compared to corporate roles, and additional premiums for specialties like tax or forensic accounting. For those considering a career path in Chicago, crucial strategies for maximizing earnings include pursuing professional licensure, leveraging networking opportunities, and being mindful of the busy season's capacity for overtime compensation. Understanding the local landscape will prove vital for anyone assessing how much do accountants make in Chicago.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Chicago, IL in 2026?
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a accountant?
Can accountants make $100K in Chicago?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted accountant salary in Chicago?
How much does a accountant make per hour in Chicago?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $82,360 for accountantsin the Chicago metropolitan area. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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