Accountant Salary in Aurora, IL: $77,632 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Aurora, IL earns a median $77,632/year (≈ $37.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Aurora's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $79,951 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Aurora, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for accountants in 2026 is $77,632, representing a competitive figure when compared to the national median of $85,864. Accountants in Aurora can expect to see salaries ranging from $51,560 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $120,329 at the high end (90th percentile). Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, highlight the potential financial advantages offered to certified public accountants (CPAs), especially as they transition from staff to senior roles, where licensure can significantly increase earning potential. These figures reflect the existing local demand for accountants and suggest that professionals in Aurora may find lucrative opportunities within their market.
About the Aurora Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,560 | $24.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,766 | $28.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,632 | $37.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,369 | $47.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,329 | $57.85 |
Median Salary Position
9.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aurora
In Aurora, IL, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,769 (2026 est.). At $77,632, the local median is 9.59% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aurora: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aurora Accountant Pay Compares
Aurora median: $77,632/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aurora Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $78,654 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -9.59% less |
Accountants in Aurora, IL earn a median of $77,632 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.59% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 1.30% below the Illinois state average of $78,654.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aurora has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Aurora, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $77,632 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,951 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,690
2025 BLS Actual
$75,657
2026 Current Est.
$77,632
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Aurora (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,507 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,843 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,522 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,221 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,657 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,632 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,658 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aurora metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $64,690 (2019) to $75,657 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,658 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,968 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aurora 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $51,560 – $59,766 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,766 – $77,632 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,632 – $99,369 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,369 – $120,329 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Aurora
The job market in Aurora supports roughly 44 accounted professionals, which indicates a stable demand within the accounting profession. The cost of living index in Aurora is 97.1, meaning expenses are slightly lower than the national average, making the take-home purchasing power for accountants more appealing. Higher salaries are often seen among larger employers, including Big 4 public firms like Deloitte and PwC, along with regional CPA firms and corporate accounting departments. Factors that contribute to the variance in salaries include the CPA license, firm stature, and areas of specialty such as forensic accounting or tax services. To maximize earning potential, accountants should aim to secure their CPA credential, consider transitioning to in-demand specializations, and capitalize on the opportunities presented during busy seasons when firms may offer overtime and performance-based bonuses.
More salary data for Aurora, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $75,657 for accountantsin the Aurora metropolitan area. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Aurora 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