Accountant Salary in Bloomington, IL: $78,507 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Bloomington, IL earns a median $78,507/year (≈ $37.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Bloomington's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $83,931 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bloomington, Illinois, the accounting profession offers a median annual salary of $78,507 as projected for 2026, which is notably below the national median of $85,864. Salary ranges for accountants in this area vary significantly, with the bottom 10% earning approximately $50,535 and the top 10% making as much as $120,987. This information is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and reflects a market influenced by the established presence of Big 4 firms and regional CPA practices that dictate pay scales. The local job market, with approximately 750 accountants employed, showcases a mix of entry-level opportunities and experienced positions, hinting at a competitive environment where corporate structural dynamics greatly impact compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,535 | $24.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,013 | $30.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,507 | $37.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,124 | $45.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,987 | $58.17 |
Median Salary Position
8.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bloomington
In Bloomington, IL, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,452 (2026 est.). At $78,507, the local median is 8.57% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bloomington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bloomington Accountant Pay Compares
Bloomington median: $78,507/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bloomington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $78,585 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -8.57% less |
Accountants in Bloomington, IL earn a median of $78,507 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.57% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 0.10% below the Illinois state average of $78,585.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bloomington has a cost of living 6.46% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bloomington, IL has a cost-of-living index of 93.537 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $78,507 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,931 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.91% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$66,310
2025 BLS Actual
$76,510
2026 Current Est.
$78,507
2019–2027 Growth
+21.5%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,507 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,556 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bloomington metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 15.4% from $66,310 (2019) to $76,510 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,556 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,246 (21.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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) | $50,535 – $63,013 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,013 – $78,507 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,507 – $94,124 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,124 – $120,987 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Bloomington
The local job market reveals a cost of living index of 93.537, suggesting that take-home purchasing power is relatively strong compared to national averages. Among the accountants, those aligned with the Big 4 generally receive higher salaries compared to their regional and local counterparts, reflective of the prestige and expectations associated with those firms. While mid-tier CPA firms and corporate accounting departments offer promising stability and paths to advancement, the significant pay differential can be attributed to factors like CPA licensure requirements and the varying demand for specialties such as tax or forensic accounting. Busy seasons require accountants to endure longer hours, which can lead to increased overtime and bonuses, especially in public firms. Maximizing one’s earning potential in Bloomington involves not only pursuing a CPA license but also considering transitions from public accounting to industry roles, where compensation and benefits can improve substantially.
More salary data for Bloomington, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Bloomington, IL in 2026?
Is Bloomington, IL a good place to work as a accountant?
Can accountants make $100K in Bloomington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted accountant salary in Bloomington?
How much does a accountant make per hour in Bloomington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $76,510 for accountantsin the Bloomington 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
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