Accountant Salary in Des Plaines, IL: $76,001 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Des Plaines, IL earns a median $76,001/year (≈ $36.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Des Plaines's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $78,271 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, accountants in Des Plaines, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $76,001, representing a competitive figure compared to the national median of $85,864. With salaries ranging from $51,342 at the lower end to $117,801 at the higher end, these estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, reflect the unique dynamics of the local job market. Des Plaines's accountant salary landscape is shaped by a significant presence of Big 4 firms, alongside regional CPA firms and corporate accounting opportunities. These contrasting environments create a pay structure that varies notably depending on the employer type, with public firms often offering higher entry-point salaries compared to local or mid-tier firms.
About the Des Plaines Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,342 | $24.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,984 | $28.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,001 | $36.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,281 | $46.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,801 | $56.63 |
Median Salary Position
11.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Plaines
In Des Plaines, IL, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,459 (2026 est.). At $76,001, the local median is 11.49% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Plaines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Plaines Accountant Pay Compares
Des Plaines median: $76,001/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Plaines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $78,595 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -11.49% less |
Accountants in Des Plaines, IL earn a median of $76,001 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.49% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $78,595.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Plaines 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.
Des Plaines, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $76,001 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,271 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,331
2025 BLS Actual
$74,068
2026 Current Est.
$76,001
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Des Plaines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,331 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,377 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,704 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,607 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,068 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,001 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,985 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Plaines metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $63,331 (2019) to $74,068 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,985 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,654 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Plaines 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) | $51,342 – $58,984 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,984 – $76,001 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,001 – $97,281 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,281 – $117,801 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Des Plaines
With just 12 accountants employed in Des Plaines, the local job market appears concentrated, which can lead to variability in salary offerings based on the cost of living index of 97.1. This index, below the national average, means that while salaries may be lower than those found in larger markets, the purchasing power remains reasonable for residents. The highest salaries tend to be found in Big 4 public accounting firms, where professionals can earn premium compensation, particularly during busy seasons when overtime and bonuses are common. Transitioning to industry roles typically lowers the prestige but can increase cash compensation, as industry controllers often receive substantial bonuses. Those aspiring for higher pay should focus on obtaining a CPA license and consider specializations in high-demand areas such as tax or forensic accounting, which can attract higher salaries in the Des Plaines market.
More salary data for Des Plaines, 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 $74,068 for accountantsin the Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines 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