Accountant Salary in Oak Park, IL: $78,043 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Oak Park, IL earns a median $78,043/year (≈ $37.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Oak Park's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $80,374 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, accountants in Oak Park, Illinois, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $78,043, which reflects a competitive local compensation landscape compared to national standards. The salary range for the profession spans from approximately $49,754 at the lower end (P10) to around $120,967 for those at the upper end of the market (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, highlight a notable employment environment. With opportunities in both public and private sectors, including the esteemed Big 4 firms, the potential earnings can differ significantly based on specialization and licensure.
About the Oak Park Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,754 | $23.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,735 | $31.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,043 | $37.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,895 | $48.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,967 | $58.16 |
Median Salary Position
9.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Park
In Oak Park, IL, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,213 (2026 est.). At $78,043, the local median is 9.11% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Park Accountant Pay Compares
Oak Park median: $78,043/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $78,593 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -9.11% less |
Accountants in Oak Park, IL earn a median of $78,043 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.11% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 0.70% below the Illinois state average of $78,593.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Park 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 Park, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $78,043 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,374 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,033
2025 BLS Actual
$76,058
2026 Current Est.
$78,043
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Oak Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,033 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,214 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,895 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,604 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,827 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,058 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,043 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,080 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Park metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $65,033 (2019) to $76,058 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,080 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,047 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Park 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) | $49,754 – $64,735 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,735 – $78,043 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,043 – $99,895 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,895 – $120,967 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Oak Park
The local job market shows a tight community of accountants, with only 10 professionals currently employed in the area, creating a unique dynamic where demand for skilled accountants can drive up compensation despite the overall lower cost of living index (97.1) in Oak Park. The presence of high-paying employers, such as Big 4 firms and regional CPA agencies, may offer lucrative positions, particularly for candidates holding a CPA license, which can substantially elevate earnings. The gap between entry-level and senior roles is pronounced – a situation aggravated by intensive busy seasons, where long hours during tax periods can result in significant overtime pay. For those looking to maximize their earnings, specializing in areas like tax or forensic accounting could offer additional financial benefits while pursuing opportunities with larger firms or considering strategic transitions to corporate environments that value experienced accountants.
More salary data for Oak Park, 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 $76,058 for accountantsin the Oak Park 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 Park 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