Accountant Hourly Pay in St. Charles, IL: $37.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in St. Charles, IL runs $37.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,491 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against St. Charles's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,498 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Charles, Illinois, the accountant hourly pay is projected to be $37.26 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $41.28 per hour. This discrepancy highlights the local market dynamics and the cost of living, with an index of 97.1, reflecting affordability relative to the national average. For part-time accountants working three days a week, or in per diem roles, this rate translates to a stable source of income when engaging in client-facing work in public firm settings or during tax season at remote work-from-home locations. Entry-level accountants can expect to earn about $25.31 per hour, while the more experienced and highly specialized professionals in St. Charles might command rates as high as $57.75, demonstrating a wide range of earning potential in this profession.
About the St. Charles 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) | $25.31 | $202.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.72 | $237.73 |
| Median (P50) | $37.26 | $298.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.47 | $379.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.75 | $461.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Charles
Based on $37.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.26/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Charles, IL can expect to earn approximately $77,496 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,709. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Charles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Charles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,490.31 | $6,458 | $77,496 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $894.18 | $3,875 | $46,498 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $596.12 | $2,583 | $30,998 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (St. Charles) | $37.26 |
| 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 St. Charles, IL earn a median of $77,491 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.75% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 1.40% below the Illinois state average of $78,591.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.26/hr = $46,498/year (purchasing power: $47,886).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,496/year (purchasing power: $79,811).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in St. Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in St. Charles grew 17.0% from $31.05/hr (2019) to $36.31/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.23/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 St. Charles 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 St. Charles
Transitioning to part-time work, an accountant working 24 hours a week can expect to bring home around $46,270 annually, which is a significant figure for a flexible working arrangement compared to full-time salaries. Per diem accountants in St. Charles often bill between $50 and $95 per hour, depending on their specialization. Those affiliated with Big 4 firms filling busy-season gaps can earn between $80 and $130 per hour, while forensic accountants may charge rates as high as $300 to $600 per hour for litigation consulting. Variances in the hourly rates depend heavily on the employer type, with Big 4 firms generally offering higher rates compared to regional CPA firms or corporate accounting departments. Additionally, some professionals may opt for lower hourly rates at public accounting firms to secure benefits like health insurance, while others are willing to take a higher rate without benefits. For accountants considering contract work or freelance opportunities, negotiation strategies should focus on showcasing expertise and competitive local market trends to maximize their per diem accountant pay in St. Charles.
More salary data for St. Charles, 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 St. Charles. 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 St. Charles 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