Accountant Salary in Joliet, IL: $78,108 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Joliet, IL earns a median $78,108/year (≈ $37.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Joliet's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $80,441 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Joliet, Illinois, accountants can expect a median annual salary of $78,108 in 2026, reflecting local estimates based on 2025 BLS data projected forward. The salary range for this profession within the area spans from $52,612 at the 10th percentile to $121,067 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay scale driven by experience and specialization. Notably, attaining a CPA license can significantly enhance earning potential, particularly for those transitioning from staff to senior-level roles. This salary structure suggests a steady demand for accounting professionals in Joliet, with opportunities for advancement contingent on credentials, skills, and experience.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,612 | $25.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,383 | $29.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,108 | $37.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,978 | $48.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,067 | $58.21 |
Median Salary Position
9.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joliet
In Joliet, IL, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,455 (2026 est.). At $78,108, the local median is 9.03% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joliet: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joliet Accountant Pay Compares
Joliet median: $78,108/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joliet Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $78,579 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -9.03% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joliet has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Joliet, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $78,108 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,441 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,087
2025 BLS Actual
$76,121
2026 Current Est.
$78,108
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Joliet (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,087 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,915 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,272 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,954 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,664 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,897 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,121 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,108 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,146 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joliet metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $65,087 (2019) to $76,121 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,146 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,059 (23.14%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $52,612 – $62,383 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,383 – $78,108 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,108 – $99,978 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,978 – $121,067 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Joliet
The accounting job market in Joliet currently employs 25 accountants, underscoring a competitive landscape where the cost-of-living index stands at 97.1, indicating affordability relative to national norms. Employers in Joliet include not only accounting giants like Deloitte and PwC but also regional CPA firms and corporate accounting departments, each with varying pay scales. This variance is often influenced by CPA licensure and the tier of the firm; high-paying positions typically align with public firms while corporate roles may offer different benefits, including performance bonuses. To maximize earnings, industry professionals should target specialties in taxation or forensic accounting, engage in continuous education to maintain their CPA license, and consider the busy season for extra compensation opportunities, which often include overtime or bonuses.
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
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 $76,121 for accountantsin the Joliet 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
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