Accountant Salary in Plainfield, IL: $76,016 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Plainfield, IL earns a median $76,016/year (≈ $36.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Plainfield's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $78,286 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Accountants in Plainfield, Illinois, project a median annual salary of $76,016 for 2026. This figure illustrates a competitive landscape for accounting professionals in the area, particularly when compared to the national median of $85,864. Salary ranges further reveal substantial variability among positions, with entry-level accountants earning as little as $55,166 while those in higher tiers can reach upwards of $117,824. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect the ongoing regional cost adjustments, highlighting that while the Plainfield market offers respectable compensation, it does not yet align with national averages in the accounting field. With only 11 accountants employed locally, the market is tight, indicating a potential preference for specific specializations or advanced credentials like a CPA.
About the Plainfield Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,166 | $26.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,471 | $30.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,016 | $36.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,300 | $46.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,824 | $56.65 |
Median Salary Position
11.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plainfield
In Plainfield, IL, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,658 (2026 est.). At $76,016, the local median is 11.47% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Plainfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Plainfield Accountant Pay Compares
Plainfield median: $76,016/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plainfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $78,610 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -11.47% less |
Accountants in Plainfield, IL earn a median of $76,016 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.47% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $78,610.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plainfield 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.
Plainfield, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $76,016 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,286 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,343
2025 BLS Actual
$74,082
2026 Current Est.
$76,016
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Plainfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,343 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,123 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,053 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,718 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,623 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,082 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,016 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,000 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plainfield metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $63,343 (2019) to $74,082 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,000 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,657 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plainfield 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) | $55,166 – $63,471 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,471 – $76,016 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,016 – $97,300 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,300 – $117,824 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Plainfield
In Plainfield, the local job market showcases a modest presence of accountants, reflecting the cost-of-living index of 97.1, which suggests that salaries here may not entirely match the purchasing power seen in larger metropolitan areas. Employers ranged from Big 4 firms to local CPA practices, with the highest salaries typically offered by larger public accounting firms, which often provide a pathway towards robust future earnings. Factors influencing salary differentiation include the level of CPA licensure, industry-specific expertise (such as forensic accounting or tax services), and the tier of firm—where commitments and bonuses during busy seasons from public firms can significantly enhance compensation. To maximize earning potential in Plainfield, professionals should consider pursuing advanced certifications and seek opportunities within larger firms or specialized industries that recognize and reward higher-tier skills. Establishing connections to navigate the transition from public accounting to industry roles can also lead to increased compensation and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Plainfield, 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 $74,082 for accountantsin the Plainfield 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 Plainfield 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