Accountant Salary in Buffalo Grove, IL: $77,180 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Buffalo Grove, IL earns a median $77,180/year (≈ $37.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Buffalo Grove's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $79,485 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected salary of $77,180 for accountants in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, the local compensation mirrors the broader Midwest market while falling short of the national median of $85,864. This figure suggests a competitive environment for accounting professionals, particularly when taking into account the salary range from $55,879 at the 10th percentile to $119,629 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, indicate that job seekers must navigate a structural divide in pay based on firm type—where Big 4 firms typically offer higher salaries than mid-tier or local practices. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for anyone assessing how much do accountants make in Buffalo Grove since the local job market has room for growth yet remains tethered to its regional peers.
About the Buffalo Grove Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,879 | $26.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,166 | $30.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,180 | $37.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,907 | $47.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,629 | $57.51 |
Median Salary Position
10.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buffalo Grove
In Buffalo Grove, IL, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,750 (2026 est.). At $77,180, the local median is 10.11% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buffalo Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buffalo Grove Accountant Pay Compares
Buffalo Grove median: $77,180/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buffalo Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $78,595 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -10.11% less |
Accountants in Buffalo Grove, IL earn a median of $77,180 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.11% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 1.80% below the Illinois state average of $78,595.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buffalo Grove 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.
Buffalo Grove, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $77,180 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,485 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,314
2025 BLS Actual
$75,217
2026 Current Est.
$77,180
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Buffalo Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,314 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,437 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,111 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,801 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,889 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,217 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,180 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,195 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buffalo Grove metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $64,314 (2019) to $75,217 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,195 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,881 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo Grove 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) | $55,879 – $64,166 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,166 – $77,180 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,180 – $97,907 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,907 – $119,629 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Buffalo Grove
In Buffalo Grove, the local accounting sector employs a modest seven professionals, signaling that opportunities may be limited to a niche market with specific demands. With a cost of living index of 97.1, this area is relatively affordable, allowing accountants to stretch their salaries further than in higher-cost urban centers. Corporate accounting departments and mid-tier firms often provide competitive compensation, but the Big 4 firms generally lead the pack in pay structure. The disparity between lower and higher salaries in this locale stems from factors including the CPA license, experience level, and firm type. Entry-level positions often feel the pinch, while seasoned professionals managing tax or forensic services may see premiums for their specialized skills. For those aiming to maximize their earning potential in Buffalo Grove, pursuing CPA licensure and aiming for roles in top-tier firms can create pathways to higher salaries and important career advancements.
More salary data for Buffalo Grove, 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 $75,217 for accountantsin the Buffalo Grove 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 Buffalo Grove 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