Accountants and Auditors salary in Illinois
Accountants and Auditors in Illinois earn a median of $80,230 a year ($38.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 54,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,990 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $83,680. Illinois ranks 21st of 51 states for accountants and auditors pay. There are 9.0 accountants and auditors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $88,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for accountants and auditors in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,510 | $26.21 |
| 25th percentile | $66,290 | $31.87 |
| Median | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| 75th percentile | $102,270 | $49.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,990 | $63.46 |
| Average (mean) | $88,910 | $42.74 |
Half of accountants and auditors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,685.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,342.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,085.77 |
| Weekly | $1,542.88 |
| Hourly | $38.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Accountants and Auditors salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, IL | $86,440 | 1,600 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $82,360 | 41,360 |
| Peoria, IL | $79,540 | 1,350 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $78,880 | 13,610 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $77,600 | 1,560 |
| Decatur, IL | $76,720 | 260 |
| Bloomington, IL | $76,510 | 750 |
| Rockford, IL | $75,260 | 850 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $73,650 | 280 |
| Kankakee, IL | $71,610 | 210 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $69,670 | 730 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $64,010 | 320 |
Highest-paying states for accountants and auditors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,530 |
| New York | $102,640 |
| New Jersey | $100,830 |
| Massachusetts | $99,460 |
| Connecticut | $97,550 |
| California | $97,050 |
| Colorado | $97,030 |
| Washington | $96,550 |
| Rhode Island | $95,820 |
| Delaware | $95,020 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $101,180 | $48.65 |
| Loan Officer | $79,150 | $38.05 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $120,130 | $57.75 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $81,180 | $39.03 |
| Financial Examiner | $93,150 | $44.78 |
| Credit Analyst | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $104,300 | $50.14 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $80,720 | $38.81 |
| Tax Preparer | $54,480 | $26.19 |
| Credit Counselor | $51,930 | $24.96 |
| Budget Analyst | $94,880 | $45.61 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $89,620 | $43.09 |
| Management Analyst | $104,270 | $50.13 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a accountants and auditors make in Illinois?
The median salary for accountants and auditors in Illinois is $80,230 a year, or $38.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid accountants and auditors make in Illinois?
The top 10% of accountants and auditors in Illinois earn at least $131,990 a year. The top 25% earn $102,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for accountants and auditors in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,510 a year, and a quarter of accountants and auditors earn $66,290 or less.
How many accountants and auditors work in Illinois?
About 54,930 accountants and auditors are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.