Accountant Salary in Champaign, IL: $71,488 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Champaign, IL earns a median $71,488/year (≈ $34.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Champaign's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $77,114 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.1% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Champaign, Illinois, the 2026 median annual salary for accountants is set at $71,488, which lags behind the national median of $85,864 by approximately 16.74%. Accountants in this region can expect to earn between $53,388 at the lower end (P10) and $112,471 at the higher end (P90) of the pay scale. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights a notable variation in salary based on the level of experience, specialization, and the type of employer. The difference in pay is influenced by the presence of Big 4 firms in the area compared to regional and local accounting firms, which can lead to a significant disparity in compensation for professionals in the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,388 | $25.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,770 | $28.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,488 | $34.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,399 | $43.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,471 | $54.08 |
Median Salary Position
16.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Champaign
In Champaign, IL, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,083 (2026 est.). At $71,488, the local median is 16.74% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Champaign: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Champaign Accountant Pay Compares
Champaign median: $71,488/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Champaign Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $78,645 | -9.10% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -16.74% less |
Accountants in Champaign, IL earn a median of $71,488 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.74% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 9.10% below the Illinois state average of $78,645.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Champaign has a cost of living 7.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Champaign, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.704 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $71,488 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,114 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.87% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,360
2025 BLS Actual
$69,670
2026 Current Est.
$71,488
2019–2027 Growth
+19.5%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Champaign (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,488 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,354 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Champaign metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 13.5% from $61,360 (2019) to $69,670 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,354 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,994 (19.55%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Champaign 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) | $53,388 – $59,770 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,770 – $71,488 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,488 – $90,399 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,399 – $112,471 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Champaign
Champaign's job market for accountants consists of around 730 employed individuals, making it a competitive yet approachable environment for those seeking opportunities. With a cost of living index of 92.704, the purchasing power in this city is more favorable compared to the national average, allowing accountants to stretch their earnings further. Among various employers, Big 4 firms typically offer the highest salaries, followed by regional CPA firms and corporate accounting departments. Several factors contribute to the pay spread, including the necessity of a CPA license, which elevates salary potential, and the tier of the firm where one is employed. Those specializing in high-demand areas like tax or forensic accounting often command a premium. To maximize compensation, accountants should consider gaining diverse experiences and exploring transition opportunities into industry roles, which can often provide enhanced financial benefits over the long term.
More salary data for Champaign, 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 $69,670 for accountantsin the Champaign 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