Accountant Salary in Skokie, IL: $76,854 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Skokie, IL earns a median $76,854/year (≈ $36.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Skokie's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $79,149 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, accountants in Skokie, Illinois, are projected to earn a median salary of $76,854, placing them approximately 10.49% below the national median of $85,864 for the same year. The salary range for accountants in this area spans from $53,187 at the 10th percentile to $119,123 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse earning potential within the profession. These estimates are derived from 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. As Skokie transitions from a primarily public accounting environment to a more varied job market, new opportunities are emerging, shaping the salary landscape for accountants based on skills and specific employer demands.
About the Skokie Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,187 | $25.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,657 | $29.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,854 | $36.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,373 | $47.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,123 | $57.27 |
Median Salary Position
10.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Skokie
In Skokie, IL, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,936 (2026 est.). At $76,854, the local median is 10.49% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Skokie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Skokie Accountant Pay Compares
Skokie median: $76,854/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Skokie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $78,583 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -10.49% less |
Accountants in Skokie, IL earn a median of $76,854 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.49% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 2.20% below the Illinois state average of $78,583.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Skokie 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.
Skokie, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $76,854 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,149 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,042
2025 BLS Actual
$74,899
2026 Current Est.
$76,854
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Skokie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,042 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,841 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,144 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,815 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,498 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,534 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,899 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,854 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,860 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Skokie metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $64,042 (2019) to $74,899 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,860 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,818 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Skokie 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) | $53,187 – $60,657 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,657 – $76,854 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,854 – $98,373 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,373 – $119,123 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Skokie
The current job market in Skokie is comprised of 12 accountants, suggesting a tight-knit community that could mean heightened competition for roles. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 97.1, accounting professionals should be mindful that their salaries may not stretch as far as those in higher-cost areas. Among employers, Big 4 firms tend to offer the most competitive salaries, but regional CPA firms and corporate accounting departments also provide viable employment opportunities. Factors such as possession of a CPA license and specialization in areas like tax or forensic accounting can significantly influence pay differentiation. For individuals seeking to maximize their accountant pay in Skokie, pursuing additional certifications and considering a transition to industry roles after gaining public firm experience can lead to higher compensation and better work-life balance, particularly as many accountants transition to corporate settings after a few years in public accounting.
More salary data for Skokie, 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 $74,899 for accountantsin the Skokie 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 Skokie 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