Accountant Salary in Gurnee, IL: $77,474 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Gurnee, IL earns a median $77,474/year (≈ $37.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Gurnee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $79,788 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Employing an impressive $77,474 as the median annual salary for accountants in Gurnee, this figure reflects local estimates based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026. The range of compensation in the area is notable, spanning from $52,605 at the 10th percentile to $120,084 at the 90th percentile. Given the relatively lower cost of living in Gurnee, where the cost-of-living index is 97.1, these salary figures provide an encouraging outlook for aspiring accounting professionals. Moreover, securing a CPA license significantly enhances earning potential, particularly when transitioning from staff to senior positions, thereby creating a more robust job market conducive to career growth.
About the Gurnee Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,605 | $25.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,774 | $29.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,474 | $37.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,572 | $47.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,084 | $57.73 |
Median Salary Position
9.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gurnee
In Gurnee, IL, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,479 (2026 est.). At $77,474, the local median is 9.77% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gurnee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gurnee Accountant Pay Compares
Gurnee median: $77,474/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gurnee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $78,653 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -9.77% less |
Accountants in Gurnee, IL earn a median of $77,474 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.77% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 1.50% below the Illinois state average of $78,653.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gurnee 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.
Gurnee, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $77,474 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,788 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,558
2025 BLS Actual
$75,503
2026 Current Est.
$77,474
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Gurnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,558 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,372 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,701 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,378 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,074 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,207 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,503 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,474 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,496 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gurnee metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $64,558 (2019) to $75,503 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,496 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,938 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gurnee 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) | $52,605 – $61,774 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,774 – $77,474 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,474 – $98,572 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,572 – $120,084 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Gurnee
Gurnee's accounting sector employs just eight accountants, suggesting a tight-knit professional community. The cost of living in this Illinois town means that accountants enjoy an increased purchasing power relative to major metropolitan areas, making Gurnee a viable option for those seeking balance in earnings and lifestyle. Leading employers within the region include established firms such as Deloitte and PwC, which generally offer the highest salaries, driven by their prestige and client portfolios. Meanwhile, local CPA practices and government roles tend to provide steadier but lower compensation. The variance in salaries arises from factors like CPA licensure, firm type, specialization, and potential bonuses for busy-season work. Professionals looking to maximize their pay should focus on gaining CPA certification, seeking opportunities at larger firms, or considering specialized roles in tax or forensic accounting, capitalizing on their potential for higher remuneration in the competitive Gurnee market.
More salary data for Gurnee, 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 $75,503 for accountantsin the Gurnee 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 Gurnee 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