Accountant Salary in Rock Island, IL: $79,781 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Rock Island, IL earns a median $79,781/year (≈ $38.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Rock Island's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $82,164 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rock Island, Illinois, the landscape of accountant compensation reveals noteworthy figures for 2026, with a projected median annual salary of $79,781, which falls below the national median of $85,864 by about 7.08%. Starting salaries in this region can be as low as $52,330, while seasoned professionals can command up to $123,661, highlighting a pronounced disparity in pay across experience and firm type. The local estimates, grounded in 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflect the distinctions across various employment segments, including the Big 4, regional firms, and corporate departments. Accountants in Rock Island seeking to navigate their careers should take into account these dynamics as they consider opportunities that align with their salary expectations.
About the Rock Island Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,330 | $25.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,114 | $32.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,781 | $38.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,029 | $49.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,661 | $59.45 |
Median Salary Position
7.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rock Island
In Rock Island, IL, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,331 (2026 est.). At $79,781, the local median is 7.08% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rock Island: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rock Island Accountant Pay Compares
Rock Island median: $79,781/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rock Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $78,602 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | -7.08% less |
Accountants in Rock Island, IL earn a median of $79,781 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.08% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 1.50% above the Illinois state average of $78,602.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rock Island 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.
Rock Island, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $79,781 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,164 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,481
2025 BLS Actual
$77,752
2026 Current Est.
$79,781
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Rock Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,481 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,349 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,778 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,474 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,221 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,047 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,752 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,781 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,864 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rock Island metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $66,481 (2019) to $77,752 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,864 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,383 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rock Island 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) | $52,330 – $67,114 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,114 – $79,781 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,781 – $102,029 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,029 – $123,661 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Rock Island
Examining the local job market, only five accountants are employed in Rock Island, revealing a tightly-knit professional community. The cost of living index, currently at 97.1, suggests that while salaries may be lower than average, the relative affordability could benefit local professionals. Understanding this context, accountants may find better compensation in larger firms like Deloitte and EY, as they typically offer higher pay than mid-tier and smaller CPA firms or corporate environments. The gap between entry-level and senior-level salaries can be attributed to factors such as CPA licensure, firm tier distinction, and specialization in areas like tax or forensic accounting. To maximize earnings in Rock Island, accountants should pursue CPA credentials, actively seek positions in high-demand sectors, and consider roles that provide bonus structures during busy seasons for added financial incentives.
More salary data for Rock Island, 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 $77,752 for accountantsin the Rock Island 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 Rock Island 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