Accountant salary in Illinois
The median accountant in Illinois earns $80,230 a year, or $38.57 an hour, in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 survey. That is 4% below the national median of $83,680, and 21st of the 54 states and territories BLS publishes.
The middle half of Illinois’s 54,930 accountants earn between $66,290 and $102,270. The highest paying metro area in the state is Springfield, IL, at $86,440.
Liaison does the routine half of an accountant’s job for 7% of what one costs in Illinois. See how.
Accountant salary by city in Illinois
Every metro area in Illinois where BLS publishes a median for accountants, highest first. A metro that crosses a state line appears under each of its states.
| Metro area | Median annual | Median hourly | Middle half earns | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield, IL | $86,440 | $41.56 | $64,790 to $117,590 | 1,600 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $82,360 | $39.60 | $72,280 to $103,120 | 41,360 |
| Peoria, IL | $79,540 | $38.24 | $64,680 to $102,150 | 1,350 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $78,880 | $37.92 | $62,470 to $101,410 | 13,610 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $77,600 | $37.31 | $61,580 to $101,300 | 1,560 |
| Decatur, IL | $76,720 | $36.89 | $62,420 to $97,240 | 260 |
| Bloomington, IL | $76,510 | $36.78 | $61,410 to $91,730 | 750 |
| Rockford, IL | $75,260 | $36.18 | $59,120 to $96,650 | 850 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $73,650 | $35.41 | $60,230 to $95,070 | 280 |
| Kankakee, IL | $71,610 | $34.43 | $57,510 to $87,690 | 210 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $69,670 | $33.50 | $58,250 to $88,100 | 730 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $64,010 | $30.78 | $50,660 to $80,170 | 320 |
What an accountant costs an employer in Illinois
Wages are the start. At employers with fewer than 50 workers, benefits add 35% on top (BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation), so an accountant at the Illinois median costs about $108,300 a year. The employer’s view for every state and metro is on what an accountant costs, and the routine part of the job is what Liaison does inside the tools a business already runs.
The routine half of an accountant’s job, for 7% of what one costs in Illinois.
- Codes the bills, reconciles the processors against the deposits and flags what does not match.
- Prepares month-end: duplicates, missing receipts, payroll cross-checks, the reconciliation notes.
- Chases receivables in your voice and forecasts cash from how each customer actually pays.
Professional is $629 a month, $7,548 a year, against about $108,300 a year for an accountant at the Illinois median once benefits are added. On Professional we connect your tools, bring your data in and set up the first rules with you. Anything that moves money waits for your yes.
“Cut our month-end close from 4 days to 4 hours.” Marcus C., owner
$629 a month, or $500 a month on a 12-month term. Prefer to start on your own? Starter is $149 a month, self-serve, with a free trial first: 7 days, no card. More: AI bookkeeper.
Questions
How much does an accountant make in Illinois?
The median accountant in Illinois earned $80,230 a year, or $38.57 an hour, in May 2025. The middle half earned between $66,290 and $102,270. Nationally the median is $83,680, so Illinois pays 4% less than the country as a whole.
Which cities in Illinois pay accountants the most?
Springfield, IL ($86,440), Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN ($82,360) and Peoria, IL ($79,540).
What does an accountant cost an employer in Illinois?
Benefits at employers with fewer than 50 workers add 35% on top of wages, so an accountant at the Illinois median costs about $108,300 a year. The employer’s view is at useliaison.com/back-office-costs/accountant.
Accountant salary in other states
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 13-2011. Annual figures assume 2,080 hours a year. Updated 2026-10-02.
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