Accountant Hourly Pay in Bloomington, IL: $37.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Bloomington, IL runs $37.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,507 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Bloomington's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.5, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,099 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, the accountant hourly pay in Bloomington, Illinois is projected to be $37.74, which falls below the national hourly median of $41.28. This hourly rate provides a viable income for accountants working a part-time schedule of three days a week, as well as for those pursuing per-diem opportunities. In typical work settings like client engagement rooms at public firms, corporate offices, or remote setups during tax season, accountants in Bloomington can expect an hourly pay range from $24.30 for entry-level positions to $58.17 for the top 10% of earners. Such figures, sourced from official BLS data, highlight the financial prospects available in the region for both established professionals and those just starting their careers.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.30 | $194.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.30 | $242.41 |
| Median (P50) | $37.74 | $301.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.25 | $362.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58.17 | $465.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bloomington
Based on $37.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.74/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bloomington, IL can expect to earn approximately $78,499 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,288. With a cost-of-living index of 93.54 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bloomington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bloomington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,509.60 | $6,542 | $78,499 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $905.76 | $3,925 | $47,099 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $603.84 | $2,617 | $31,400 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Bloomington) | $37.74 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Bookkeeping / Accounting Clerk (National Avg) | $22.93 |
| Auditor (National Avg) | $39.88 |
| Tax Examiner / Collector (National Avg) | $29.61 |
Accountants in Bloomington, IL earn a median of $78,507 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.57% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 0.10% below the Illinois state average of $78,585.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.74/hr = $47,099/year (purchasing power: $50,354).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,499/year (purchasing power: $83,923).
CoL index: 93.537 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Bloomington grew 15.4% from $31.88/hr (2019) to $36.78/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.72/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem accountants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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.
Working as an Hourly Accountant in Bloomington
Exploring the financial potential for accountants working part-time in Bloomington reveals that a typical 24-hour workweek could yield an annual income considerably lower than full-time peers. While full-time accountants see consistent salaries, per-diem accountants often aim for higher billing rates that can reach anywhere from $50 to $130 per hour, especially those with expertise in areas like forensic accounting or valuation who may charge as much as $600 per hour. The type of employer also significantly influences hourly rates; prestigious Big 4 firms generally pay more compared to regional CPA firms or smaller practices. Accountants must weigh the benefits of lower hourly wages with job security and health insurance against the potential for higher earnings without benefits from contract or agency work. For those in Bloomington, negotiating hourly pay requires an understanding of the local market and employer types, as well as knowledge of sector-specific demands that may allow for more lucrative offers.
More salary data for Bloomington, 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
Hourly wage 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 estimate current 2026 hourly rates for accountants in Bloomington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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