Accountant Hourly Pay in Naperville, IL: $41.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Naperville, IL runs $41.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,392 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Naperville's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,236 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Naperville, IL, the projected median hourly pay for accountants in 2026 is $41.05, slightly below the national median of $41.28. This wage opens various opportunities for part-time and per-diem professionals who typically work in settings such as corporate finance departments and public accounting firms, providing flexibility for those seeking work-life balance. Entry-level accountants can expect to earn around $26.11 per hour, while top earners might make as much as $63.63 per hour. Given that these hourly rates are derived from annual salary data, they represent a realistic snapshot of what accountants can anticipate in their earnings, whether they are engaged in corporate tax preparation, forensic analysis, or remote engagement during the busy tax season.
About the Naperville 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) | $26.11 | $208.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.66 | $253.24 |
| Median (P50) | $41.05 | $328.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.55 | $420.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.63 | $509.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Naperville
Based on $41.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.05/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Naperville, IL can expect to earn approximately $85,393 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,265. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Naperville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Naperville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,642.17 | $7,116 | $85,393 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $985.30 | $4,270 | $51,236 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $656.87 | $2,846 | $34,157 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Naperville) | $41.05 |
| 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 Naperville, IL earn a median of $85,392 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.55% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 8.60% above the Illinois state average of $78,630.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.05/hr = $51,236/year (purchasing power: $52,766).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,393/year (purchasing power: $87,943).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Naperville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Naperville grew 17.0% from $34.21/hr (2019) to $40.01/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.13/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 Naperville 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 Naperville
Examining the earning potential for part-time accountants reveals an interesting contrast: those working three days a week at 24 hours may take home significantly less annually than their full-time counterparts. While they enjoy greater flexibility, their income can vary widely depending on whether they operate as per-diem contractors. Commonly, per-diem accountant pay in Naperville ranges substantially; independent consultants may charge between $50 and $95 per hour, while seasoned professionals from Big 4 firms filling in during tax season could earn $80 to $130 per hour. Furthermore, specialized experts such as forensic accountants who offer their services in litigation can command hourly rates between $300 and $600, depending on the complexity of the case. In terms of employer dynamics, accountants at larger firms typically receive higher compensation but may forgo benefits found in industry roles. Negotiating for an hourly salary often requires understanding employer-specific structures—those offering benefits and stability may dictate lower rates, while firms missing benefits may afford higher pay, compelling professionals to weigh their priorities carefully.
More salary data for Naperville, 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 Naperville. 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 Naperville 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