Accountant Salary in Moline, IL: $81,036 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Moline, IL earns a median $81,036/year (≈ $38.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Moline's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $83,456 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the accountant salary in Moline, Illinois, is projected to reach a median of $81,036, slightly below the national average of $85,864. The salary range for accountants in the area spans from $54,918 at the 10th percentile to $125,606 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse market landscape where experience and specialization can significantly influence earnings. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, highlight the city's competitive positioning in the accounting field. Given Moline's unique economic composition, the transition from public to private industry remains a notable trend, impacting lifetime compensation for accountants as they navigate diverse career paths.
About the Moline Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,918 | $26.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,789 | $31.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,036 | $38.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,726 | $49.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,606 | $60.39 |
Median Salary Position
5.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moline
In Moline, IL, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,688 (2026 est.). At $81,036, the local median is 5.62% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moline: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moline Accountant Pay Compares
Moline median: $81,036/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moline Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $78,600 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | -5.62% less |
Accountants in Moline, IL earn a median of $81,036 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.62% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 3.10% above the Illinois state average of $78,600.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moline 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.
Moline, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $81,036 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,456 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,527
2025 BLS Actual
$78,975
2026 Current Est.
$81,036
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Moline (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,527 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,424 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,907 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,614 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,389 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,353 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,975 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,036 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,151 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moline metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $67,527 (2019) to $78,975 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,151 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,624 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moline 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) | $54,918 – $64,789 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,789 – $81,036 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,036 – $103,726 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,726 – $125,606 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Moline
Currently, Moline employs about 10 accountants, illustrating a small but stable job market in the profession. The local cost of living index stands at 97.1, suggesting that employees enjoy a cost-effective lifestyle relative to national standards, directly impacting their take-home pay. Among the highest-paying employers in Moline are regional CPA firms and corporate accounting departments, where accountants can find competitive packages. Variations in pay are driven by factors such as obtaining CPA licensure, employer type, and specialization—those focusing on tax or forensic accounting often command higher salaries. For accountants looking to maximize their income in Moline, obtaining valuable certifications, such as a CPA, and aligning with larger firms or specialized industries can enhance career prospects and earning potential.
More salary data for Moline, 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 $78,975 for accountantsin the Moline 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 Moline 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