Accountant Salary in Downers Grove, IL: $75,003 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Downers Grove, IL earns a median $75,003/year (≈ $36.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Downers Grove's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $77,243 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For 2026, accountants in Downers Grove, Illinois, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $75,003, placing them lower than the national median of $85,864. Accountants in this area can expect salaries ranging from $53,105 at the 10th percentile to $116,254 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse payout based on experience and licensure. The presence of CPA-certified professionals tends to elevate pay significantly, particularly as accountants transition from entry-level positions to senior roles, where they often command higher salaries due to their enhanced qualifications. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and illustrate the implications of local economic conditions on potential earnings for this profession.
About the Downers Grove Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,105 | $25.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,412 | $29.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,003 | $36.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,004 | $46.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,254 | $55.89 |
Median Salary Position
12.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Downers Grove
In Downers Grove, IL, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,149 (2026 est.). At $75,003, the local median is 12.65% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Downers Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Downers Grove Accountant Pay Compares
Downers Grove median: $75,003/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Downers Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $78,619 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -12.65% less |
Accountants in Downers Grove, IL earn a median of $75,003 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.65% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 4.60% below the Illinois state average of $78,619.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Downers 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.
Downers Grove, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $75,003 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,243 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,499
2025 BLS Actual
$73,095
2026 Current Est.
$75,003
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Downers Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,499 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,255 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,478 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,133 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,776 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,522 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,095 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,003 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,960 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Downers Grove metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $62,499 (2019) to $73,095 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,960 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,461 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Downers 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) | $53,105 – $61,412 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,412 – $75,003 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,003 – $96,004 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,004 – $116,254 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Downers Grove
Analyzing the local job market, there are about 11 accountants currently employed in Downers Grove, which highlights the competitive nature of this field within the region. The cost of living index sits at 97.1, indicating a slightly lower living expense than the national average, which can affect take-home pay and overall purchasing power for professionals in the field. Employers such as Big 4 public accounting firms, including Deloitte and PwC, typically offer higher compensation compared to local CPA firms or industry positions. The disparity in salaries reflects factors including the CPA license advantage, the tier of the public accounting firm, specialties like tax or forensic accounting, and the potential for bonuses during the busy tax season. To maximize their compensation in this local market, aspiring accountants should focus on obtaining CPA licensure, considering roles in reputable firms, and exploring specialization opportunities that could further enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Downers 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 $73,095 for accountantsin the Downers 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 Downers 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