Accountant Salary in Decatur, IL: $78,722 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Decatur, IL earns a median $78,722/year (≈ $37.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.4), that paycheck buys what $89,030 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Decatur, Illinois, accountants can expect a median annual salary of $78,722 in 2026, falling behind the national average of $85,864 by a margin of 8.32%. Salary ranges drastically from $53,244 at the 10th percentile to $116,975 for those at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse range of accounting roles in the region. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, illustrating that while Decatur offers competitive salaries for its accountants, it does not reach the heights often found within the larger Big 4 public accounting firms or in certain corporate sectors. The market's structure is primarily dictated by the presence of local CPA firms and industry roles, which shape salary expectations and opportunities for professionals seeking growth.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,244 | $25.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,049 | $30.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,722 | $37.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,778 | $47.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,975 | $56.24 |
Median Salary Position
8.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, IL, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,731 (2026 est.). At $78,722, the local median is 8.32% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Decatur Accountant Pay Compares
Decatur median: $78,722/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $78,644 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | -8.32% less |
Accountants in Decatur, IL earn a median of $78,722 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.32% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 0.10% above the Illinois state average of $78,644.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 11.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, IL has a cost-of-living index of 88.422 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $78,722 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $89,030 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.09% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,220
2025 BLS Actual
$76,720
2026 Current Est.
$78,722
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,890 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,722 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,777 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 23.3% from $62,220 (2019) to $76,720 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,777 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,557 (29.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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) | $53,244 – $64,049 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,049 – $78,722 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,722 – $99,778 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,778 – $116,975 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Decatur
Within Decatur's job market, approximately 260 accountants are currently employed, highlighting a robust demand for accounting skills in the area. The cost of living index stands at 88.422, signifying a more affordable environment for residents compared to the national average. This dynamic impacts the purchasing power of local accountants, making salaries more competitive. Employers who generally offer higher compensation include the Big 4 public accounting firms, though their presence may be less pronounced in this area compared to regional or mid-tier CPA firms. The spread in salaries can often be tied to factors such as CPA licensure, public firm versus industry roles, and specialized skill sets like forensic accounting. Those aspiring to maximize their pay in Decatur should consider building expertise in high-demand specialty areas, exploring partnerships with local firms, and carefully assessing the compensation packages offered by diverse employers, including tax and valuation services or state and federal agencies.
More salary data for Decatur, 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 $76,720 for accountantsin the Decatur 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