Accountant Hourly Pay in Northbrook, IL: $37.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Northbrook, IL runs $37.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,540 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Northbrook's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,523 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Northbrook, the projected hourly pay for accountants in 2026 is set at $37.28, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $41.28 for accountants. This disparity might impact prospective part-time accountants working part-time schedules, such as three days a week. For example, a part-time accountant could earn around $1,800 monthly, depending on workload and hours logged, which reflects the demands of typical accounting environments, whether they are in corporate finance offices, public accounting firms, or during tax season from the comfort of home. Northbrook’s hourly pay spans a range from $25.32 for entry-level positions to $57.78 for seasoned professionals, illustrating the growth potential within the field. These rates are based on estimates derived from projected annual salaries, highlighting the earning potential for accountants in varied roles across different settings.
About the Northbrook 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) | $25.32 | $202.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.77 | $238.14 |
| Median (P50) | $37.28 | $298.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.71 | $381.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.78 | $462.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Northbrook
Based on $37.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.28/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Northbrook, IL can expect to earn approximately $77,539 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,734. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Northbrook.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Northbrook
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,491.13 | $6,462 | $77,539 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $894.68 | $3,877 | $46,523 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $596.45 | $2,585 | $31,015 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Northbrook) | $37.28 |
| 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 Northbrook, IL earn a median of $77,540 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.69% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 1.40% below the Illinois state average of $78,641.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.28/hr = $46,523/year (purchasing power: $47,913).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,539/year (purchasing power: $79,854).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Northbrook (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Northbrook grew 17.0% from $31.06/hr (2019) to $36.33/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.25/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 Northbrook 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 Northbrook
When considering part-time earning potential, an accountant working 24 hours a week would take home about $46,566 annually, much lower than a full-time counterpart. Besides the typical staff roles, per diem accountants often command rates between $50 and $95 per hour, while more niche skills like forensic accounting can elevate earnings significantly; for instance, experts in this field can charge between $300 and $600 per hour in litigation contexts. In Northbrook, hourly wages differ significantly based on the employer type—while Big 4 firms may offer more glamorous prospects, regional CPA firms offer stability with lower rates, and corporate roles can be appealing for their benefits. Accountants often weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits or lower rates with health insurance and retirement plans. For those considering negotiations, being informed about industry standards and articulating personal value are key strategies that can lead to improved compensation outcomes.
More salary data for Northbrook, 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 Northbrook. 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 Northbrook 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