Accountant Hourly Pay in Peoria, IL: $39.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Peoria, IL runs $39.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,616 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Peoria's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.2, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,969 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Peoria, Illinois, the accountant hourly pay is projected to be $39.24 in 2026, slightly lower than the national median of $41.28. This hourly rate offers flexibility for both part-time professionals and per-diem accountants in various settings such as corporate finance departments, public firm client engagement rooms, and remote tax season setups. It ranges from an entry-level rate of $26.10 to $64.46 for top earners, making the position accessible to a wide array of candidates, including those entering from public accounting or transitioning from industry roles. For many accountants, these rates reflect their experiences and specialties, as the demands of busy tax seasons or specific expert engagements often drive their choices in employment settings.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.10 | $208.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.90 | $255.21 |
| Median (P50) | $39.24 | $313.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.39 | $403.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.46 | $515.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Peoria
Based on $39.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.24/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Peoria, IL can expect to earn approximately $81,615 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,086. With a cost-of-living index of 91.23 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Peoria.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Peoria
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,569.52 | $6,801 | $81,615 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $941.71 | $4,081 | $48,969 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $627.81 | $2,721 | $32,646 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Peoria) | $39.24 |
| 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 Peoria, IL earn a median of $81,616 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.95% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 3.80% above the Illinois state average of $78,628.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.24/hr = $48,969/year (purchasing power: $53,676).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,615/year (purchasing power: $89,460).
CoL index: 91.231 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Peoria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Peoria grew 8.2% from $35.33/hr (2019) to $38.24/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.26/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 Peoria 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 Peoria
When considering the financial implications of part-time work, a 3-day workweek (approximately 24 hours) at the standard hourly rate yields an annual income of about $49,000, significantly less than a full-time salary but still viable for those seeking balance. Per-diem and contract accountants in Peoria can command rates between $50 and $95 depending on expertise, often reaching $80 to $130 for Big 4 alumni during peak busy seasons. Forensic accounting and valuation specialists may see even higher per-hour rates of $300 to $600 in litigation contexts. Different types of employers also affect hourly compensation, with Big 4 firms and regional CPA firms typically offering competitive rates, while government roles may provide stability but lower pay. Many professionals weigh the security of health benefits against higher hourly rates from contract work, leading to varied choices based on personal and professional goals. Negotiating hourly rates can also differ in Peoria’s market, where being armed with insights about employer types and industry standards can give accountants an advantage in discussions about pay.
More salary data for Peoria, 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 Peoria. 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