Accountant Salary in Elmhurst, IL: $74,368 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Elmhurst, IL earns a median $74,368/year (≈ $35.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Elmhurst's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $76,589 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elmhurst, Illinois, the accountant salary is projected to reach a median annual figure of $74,368 in 2026, representing a notable difference when compared to the national median of $85,864. Accountants in this area can expect to find salaries ranging from $51,634 at the lower end of the spectrum to as high as $115,270 for the top earners. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price levels, illustrate the competitive nature of compensation in the area, particularly for those holding a CPA license. This credential significantly enhances earning potential, especially when transitioning from a junior to a senior role. As Elmhurst hosts a concentration of firms and opportunities, the local job market offers unique dynamics for accountants seeking growth.
About the Elmhurst Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,634 | $24.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,139 | $28.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,368 | $35.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,190 | $45.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,270 | $55.42 |
Median Salary Position
13.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elmhurst
In Elmhurst, IL, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,636 (2026 est.). At $74,368, the local median is 13.39% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elmhurst: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elmhurst Accountant Pay Compares
Elmhurst median: $74,368/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elmhurst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $78,613 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -13.39% less |
Accountants in Elmhurst, IL earn a median of $74,368 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.39% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 5.40% below the Illinois state average of $78,613.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elmhurst 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.
Elmhurst, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $74,368 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,589 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$61,970
2025 BLS Actual
$72,476
2026 Current Est.
$74,368
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Elmhurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,711 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,907 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,557 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,185 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,832 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,476 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,368 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,309 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elmhurst metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $61,970 (2019) to $72,476 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,309 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,339 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elmhurst 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) | $51,634 – $60,139 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,139 – $74,368 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,368 – $95,190 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,190 – $115,270 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Elmhurst
The accountant job market in Elmhurst is relatively small, with only 9 professionals employed in the area. This limited supply can drive competition for ideal roles, particularly among major employers such as the Big 4 public accounting firms, which tend to offer the highest salaries. Given the area's cost of living index of 97.1, accountants must consider how their earnings translate into purchasing power. Many may opt to transition from public to industry roles after gaining experience, as corporate positions often provide better cash compensation, albeit with reduced prestige compared to the partner track in public firms. Differences between the lower and higher salaries can largely be attributed to specialization areas, such as tax or forensic accounting, which command premiums. To maximize earnings in Elmhurst, accountants should pursue CPA certification, aim for higher positions within reputable firms, and seek specialty roles to leverage their skill set effectively.
More salary data for Elmhurst, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Elmhurst, IL in 2026?
Is Elmhurst, IL a good place to work as a accountant?
Can accountants make $100K in Elmhurst?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted accountant salary in Elmhurst?
How much does a accountant make per hour in Elmhurst?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $72,476 for accountantsin the Elmhurst 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 Elmhurst 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