Accountant Salary in Mount Prospect, IL: $78,579 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Mount Prospect, IL earns a median $78,579/year (≈ $37.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Mount Prospect's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $80,926 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for accountants in Mount Prospect, Illinois is $78,579, reflecting a growth trajectory in the local financial services job market. With a salary range that spans from $50,960 at the 10th percentile to $121,797 at the 90th percentile, these figures highlight the potential earnings based on experience and specialization. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price parity, suggest that while accountant pay in Mount Prospect may be lower than the national median of $85,864 by about 8.48%, the local market offers opportunities for growth, particularly as many professionals transition from public accounting to industry roles over the course of their careers.
About the Mount Prospect Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,960 | $24.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,112 | $29.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,579 | $37.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,580 | $48.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,797 | $58.56 |
Median Salary Position
8.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mount Prospect
In Mount Prospect, IL, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,837 (2026 est.). At $78,579, the local median is 8.48% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mount Prospect: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mount Prospect Accountant Pay Compares
Mount Prospect median: $78,579/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mount Prospect Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $85,864 | -8.48% less |
Accountants in Mount Prospect, IL earn a median of $78,579 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.48% lower than the national median of $85,864.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mount Prospect 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.
Mount Prospect, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $78,579 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,926 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,479
2025 BLS Actual
$76,580
2026 Current Est.
$78,579
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Mount Prospect (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,479 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,319 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,696 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,382 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,102 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,409 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,579 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,630 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mount Prospect metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $65,479 (2019) to $76,580 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,630 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,151 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mount Prospect 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) | $50,960 – $61,112 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,112 – $78,579 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,579 – $100,580 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,580 – $121,797 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Mount Prospect
Mount Prospect’s accounting job market is characterized by a small but significant cohort of 13 employed accountants, which shapes the competitive landscape of salaries in the area. With a cost-of-living index at 97.1, potential earnings can translate into more robust purchasing power compared to more expensive locations. Among the various employers, Big 4 firms tend to offer the most competitive salaries, especially for entry-level positions, while mid-tier CPA firms and industry roles can provide substantial pay as professionals gain experience. The pay dynamics within this market are influenced by several factors, including the requirement for CPA licensure and the varying compensation packages that different employer tiers offer. Insights into maximizing salary include targeting roles in higher-paying sectors, pursuing specialization in areas like tax or forensic accounting, and planning for advancement into management positions that leverage firm equity. Understanding these elements can empower accounting professionals to navigate their career paths effectively in Mount Prospect, IL.
More salary data for Mount Prospect, 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 $76,580 for accountantsin the Mount Prospect 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 Mount Prospect 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