Accountant Hourly Pay in Galesburg, IL: $35.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Galesburg, IL runs $35.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,576 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Galesburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,743 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Galesburg, Illinois, the accountant hourly pay is projected to reach $35.85 by 2026, notably lower than the national median of $41.28 per hour. This median rate reflects the financial landscape for various accounting roles, influencing both full-time and part-time work options in the area. For instance, part-time accountants working three days a week could easily find themselves in client engagement rooms at public firms, corporate finance offices, or even remote tax season setups. The hourly rate for accountants in Galesburg ranges from $25.06 for entry-level positions to $55.57 for top earners, creating a competitive environment for those seeking flexible work arrangements or per-diem positions, which are particularly common in both public and private sectors. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates, highlighting the economic context for aspiring accountants in the IL region.
About the Galesburg Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.06 | $200.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.11 | $232.88 |
| Median (P50) | $35.85 | $286.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.90 | $367.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.57 | $444.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Galesburg
Based on $35.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.85/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Galesburg, IL can expect to earn approximately $74,572 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,022. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Galesburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Galesburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,434.08 | $6,214 | $74,572 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $860.45 | $3,729 | $44,743 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $573.63 | $2,486 | $29,829 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Galesburg) | $35.85 |
| 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 Galesburg, IL earn a median of $74,576 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.15% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 5.10% below the Illinois state average of $78,584.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.85/hr = $44,743/year (purchasing power: $46,080).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,572/year (purchasing power: $76,799).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Galesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Galesburg grew 17.0% from $29.88/hr (2019) to $34.94/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.79/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 Galesburg 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 Galesburg
Examining part-time work in Galesburg, an accountant working 24 hours a week could potentially bring home around $44,573 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart but still offering a viable option for those balancing other commitments. Meanwhile, per-diem accountants often bill between $50 and $95 per hour, allowing for considerable earning potential, especially for Big 4 alumni stepping into busy-season roles which can command rates up to $130 per hour. Local employers such as public accounting firms, corporate accounting departments, and governmental agencies tend to offer varying compensation scales that reflect specialized expertise. While some accountants opt for higher hourly rates without benefits, others may accept lower wages to secure health insurance and stability. For those negotiating hourly terms in Galesburg, understanding the distinctions in employer types and their respective compensation practices is critical to maximizing one’s earning potential in this evolving field.
More salary data for Galesburg, 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 Galesburg. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Galesburg 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