Accountant Salary in Illinois
Based on 55K+ workers in Illinois
Median Annual Salary (IL)
$80,230
$38.57/hr
vs National Average
$82,597
-2.9% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$55K – $132K
55K employed in Illinois
Accountant salary in Illinois averages $80,230 per year, placing the state slightly below the national average at 3% lower. Illinois employs approximately 54,930 accountants across the state. Salaries in the field range from $54,510 at the entry level to $131,990 for experienced professionals, reflecting significant variation based on individual qualifications and career progression.
Several factors influence accountant salary in Illinois, including years of experience, professional certifications like CPA status, and industry sector. Geographic location within the state matters as well, with urban centers typically offering higher compensation than rural areas. Employer size and specialization in areas such as tax, audit, or forensic accounting also play important roles in determining earning potential for accounting professionals.
Salary Distribution — Accountant in Illinois
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $54,510 |
| 25th percentile | $66,290 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $80,230 |
| 75th percentile | $102,270 |
| 90th percentile | $131,990 |
Top H-1B Employers for Accountant in Illinois
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in Illinois — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | 49 | $123,594 |
| 2 | Deloitte Tax LLP | 16 | $107,349 |
| 3 | Google LLC | 4 | $150,000 |
| 4 | Deloitte & Touche LLP | 3 | $96,000 |
| 5 | CDH CPA PLLC | 3 | $78,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Accountant H-1B Salary by Wage Level in Illinois
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in Illinois.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $63,126 | 8 |
| Level II | Qualified | $89,720 | 54 |
| Level III | Experienced | $135,852 | 33 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $138,450 | 30 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Accountant (U.S.)
Which industries pay Accountants the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Accountants in Illinois tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $106,050 | 8K |
| Information | $99,430 | 35K |
| Utilities | $98,130 | 8K |
| Finance and Insurance | $93,290 | 119K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $91,940 | 105K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Accountant in Illinois vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Illinois) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $75,800 |
| 2023 | $78,280 |
| 2024 | $79,300 |
| 2025 | $80,230 |
| 2026 (projected) | $81,171 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Illinois Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $75,800 | $73,060 |
| 2023 | $78,280 | $76,751 |
| 2024 | $79,300 | $79,712 |
| 2025 | $80,230 | $82,597 |
| 2026 (projected) | $81,171 | $83,566 |
Accountant Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $66,290 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $80,230 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $102,270 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $131,990 |
Accountant Salary in Other States
Related Accountant Salaries in Illinois
How other high-demand occupations in Illinois compare to Accountant ($80,230 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Accountant | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Manager in IL | $165,880 | +106.8% | $79.75/hr |
| Personal Financial Advisor in IL | $120,130 | +49.7% | $57.75/hr |
| Actuary in IL | $115,430 | +43.9% | $55.50/hr |
| Financial Analyst in IL | $101,180 | +26.1% | $48.64/hr |
| Securities Sales Agent in IL | $99,840 | +24.4% | $48.00/hr |
| Budget Analyst in IL | $94,880 | +18.3% | $45.62/hr |
| Financial Examiner in IL | $93,150 | +16.1% | $44.78/hr |
| Credit Analyst in IL | $84,990 | +5.9% | $40.86/hr |
| Tax Examiner in IL | $81,180 | +1.2% | $39.03/hr |
| Compliance Officer in IL | $80,550 | +0.4% | $38.73/hr |
| Loan Officer in IL | $79,150 | -1.3% | $38.05/hr |
| Insurance Sales Agent in IL | $64,280 | -19.9% | $30.90/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Illinois?
- The median salary for accountants in Illinois is $80,230 per year, or $39 per hour. This is about 2.9% below the national average for accountants.
What is the salary range for accountants in Illinois?
- Accountant salaries in Illinois range from $54,510 on the low end to $131,990 on the high end, depending on experience, education, and employer.
How many accountants work in Illinois?
- There are approximately 54,930 accountants employed in Illinois, making it a significant hub for accounting professionals.
Is the accountant salary in Illinois above or below the national average?
- Illinois accountant salaries are slightly below the national average, with the state's median of $80,230 representing a 2.9% decrease compared to the national median.