Accountant Hourly Pay in Decatur, IL: $37.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Decatur, IL runs $37.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,722 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Decatur's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.4, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,240 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Decatur, Illinois, the projected median hourly pay for accountants in 2026 is $37.85, which falls below the national median of $41.28 per hour. For those pursuing part-time work, such as a typical three-day week schedule, this translates to a manageable income bracket suitable for flexibility in work and personal commitments. The hourly earnings in this profession range from $25.60 for entry-level positions to $56.24 for the top earners, making it a viable option for per-diem work or freelance opportunities in various settings. Accountants in Decatur often find themselves in diverse environments, from corporate finance departments to public filing spaces and remote tax season setups, allowing for diverse professional experiences while serving client needs.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.60 | $204.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.79 | $246.35 |
| Median (P50) | $37.85 | $302.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.97 | $383.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.24 | $449.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Decatur
Based on $37.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.85/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Decatur, IL can expect to earn approximately $78,734 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,423. With a cost-of-living index of 88.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Decatur.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Decatur
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,514.11 | $6,561 | $78,734 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $908.47 | $3,937 | $47,240 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $605.65 | $2,624 | $31,494 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Decatur) | $37.85 |
| 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 Decatur, IL earn a median of $78,722 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.32% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 0.10% above the Illinois state average of $78,644.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.85/hr = $47,240/year (purchasing power: $53,426).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,734/year (purchasing power: $89,043).
CoL index: 88.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Decatur grew 23.3% from $29.91/hr (2019) to $36.89/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.84/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 Decatur 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 Decatur
In terms of annual earnings for part-time accountants, working 24 hours a week can yield a gross income that reflects significantly lower earnings than full-time counterparts. Per-diem accountants in Decatur tend to charge between $50 to $95 per hour, depending on their specialization, and can see rates soar up to $130 per hour if they previously worked at Big 4 firms during peak busy seasons. Moreover, those in niche areas like forensic accounting may command even higher fees as experts in litigation, with rates ranging from $300 to $600 per hour. Differences in hourly pay are also evident among employer types; while Big 4 firms offer prestige, regional CPA firms, corporate departments, and small practices can present varying benefits that influence compensation. Factors like health insurance versus higher pay without benefits are critical in negotiations. For accountants in Decatur, understanding local hiring trends and pay structures can empower them to negotiate effectively based on their desired work-life balance and career goals.
More salary data for Decatur, 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 Decatur. 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