Accountant Salary in Oak Lawn, IL: $76,606 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Oak Lawn, IL earns a median $76,606/year (≈ $36.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Oak Lawn's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $78,894 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Lawn, Illinois, an accountant's median annual salary is projected to be $76,606 in 2026, which reflects a salary range from $52,388 at the 10th percentile to $118,738 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS Original Estimates, adjusted for local cost-of-living differences. Compared to the national median of $85,864, accountant pay in Oak Lawn IL falls approximately 10.78% short. Accountants who attain licensure, especially CPAs, can expect significant pay increases, particularly when transitioning from entry-level to senior roles. The local job market shows that with only 14 accountants currently employed in the area, opportunities may arise as firms look for talent to fill gaps or expand their services.
About the Oak Lawn Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,388 | $25.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,166 | $28.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,606 | $36.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,055 | $47.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,738 | $57.08 |
Median Salary Position
10.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Lawn
In Oak Lawn, IL, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,350 (2026 est.). At $76,606, the local median is 10.78% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Lawn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Lawn Accountant Pay Compares
Oak Lawn median: $76,606/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Lawn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $78,650 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -10.78% less |
Accountants in Oak Lawn, IL earn a median of $76,606 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.78% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 2.60% below the Illinois state average of $78,650.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Lawn 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.
Oak Lawn, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $76,606 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,894 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,835
2025 BLS Actual
$74,657
2026 Current Est.
$76,606
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Oak Lawn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,835 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,628 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,589 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,267 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,264 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,657 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,606 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,605 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Lawn metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $63,835 (2019) to $74,657 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,605 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,770 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Lawn 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) | $52,388 – $60,166 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,166 – $76,606 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,606 – $98,055 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,055 – $118,738 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Oak Lawn
As Oak Lawn's cost-of-living index stands at 97.1, accountants in the area enjoy a slightly more favorable purchasing power than the national average. While major firms like the Big 4 typically offer higher salaries, regional and mid-tier CPA firms also present competitive packages, often leading to higher pay for specialized roles in areas such as tax or forensic accounting. The disparity in pay reflects factors such as the CPA license's value, varied firm prestige, and the specific skill sets in demand within the market. To maximize earnings in this competitive landscape, aspiring accountants should consider enhancing their qualifications, networking within industry circles, and weighing the perks of public accounting against industry roles, given the significant number of accountants who transition to corporate positions after a few years in public accounting. Strategically timing entry into the workforce during peak hiring periods can also bolster salary options.
More salary data for Oak Lawn, 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 $74,657 for accountantsin the Oak Lawn 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 Oak Lawn 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