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2026 Salary Data — Chicago, IL
Updated April 28, 2026

Accountant Salary in Chicago: $84K Median

Accountants in Chicago, IL earn between $58K and $139K per year.

That's +5% above the US national median of $79,880 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Accountant salary in Chicago, IL is $83,874 per year — +5% above the US national median of $79,880. Salaries range from $57,750 (entry, 25th percentile) to $139,325 (90th percentile). Accountants in Chicago earned approximately $16,446 in 2025, representing 410.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$83,874
+410.0% YoY · $6,990/mo
Entry
$57,750
0–2 years
Experienced
$110,250
5+ years
Top 10%
$139,325
Senior/lead
Accountant Salary — Chicago vs Nearby
Chicago
$84K
Atlanta
$84K
+0% vs Chicago
Philadelphia
$83K
+1% vs Chicago
Nashville
$80K
+5% vs Chicago

Free ATS scan · Chicago employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Accountants in Chicago

Accountants prepare financial statements, ensure compliance with regulations, perform audits, and provide financial analysis.

Core Responsibilities

  • Prepare financial statements
  • Tax preparation and planning
  • Audit support
  • Financial analysis
  • Internal controls

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree in accounting; 150 credit hours for CPA

In-demand certifications

CPACMACIACFAEnrolled Agent (IRS)

Chicago Job Market

Major Midwest financial and manufacturing hub with diverse industry base.

Population
2693K
Cost of Living
107
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.8%
Median Home
$360K

Top Industries in Chicago

FinanceManufacturingHealthcareTechLogistics

Top Employers Hiring Accountants

Major employers active in Chicago or hiring remotely from this metro.

Big Four (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG)
Berkshire Hathaway
JPMorgan
Goldman Sachs
Mid-tier firms (BDO, RSM)

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Accountant listings.

CPAAdvisory servicesData analyticsAutomation toolsESG reporting

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

CPAGAAPIFRSExcelQuickBooksSAPaudittaxreconciliationfinancial reporting
Career Outlook
+6% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Accountant employment projected to grow 6% through 2034. CPA shortage driving competitive salaries, especially in public accounting.

Accountant Salary Breakdown — Chicago

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$57,750$83,874$139,325
Monthly$4,813$6,990$11,610
Weekly$1,111$1,613$2,679
Hourly$28$40$67

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($79,880) adjusted for Chicago's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Accountant Take-Home Pay in Chicago

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$63,151.596
Per month$5,263
Biweekly paycheck$2,429
Effective tax rate24.7%

Tax Breakdown on $83,874

Gross salary$83,874
Federal income tax−$10,154.28
Illinois state tax−$4,151.763
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,416.361
Take-home (net)$63,151.596

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Accountant Salary by Experience — Chicago

Career-stage progression for Accountants in Chicago.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$53,130
2–3 yr$57,750
4–6 yr$84,000
7–10 yr$110,250
11–15 yr$130,095
15+ yr$124,788

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Chicago's 1.05× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+410.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$16,446
2026 median:$83,874
Change:+$67,428

Finance sector growth driven by demand for CPA and Advisory services.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$78,387
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Accountant Salary in Chicago

Walk-away anchor: $74,888 (offers below this are below market for Chicago).

Leverage Points

  • Bonus targets and historical payout percentages (ask for last 3 years actual)
  • Profit-share, carry, or AUM-linked compensation for senior roles
  • CFA, CPA, or Series licenses materially shift base compensation
  • Buyout of unvested deferred comp from your current employer

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Guaranteed first-year bonus (especially in IB, PE, hedge funds)Sign-on / make-whole for forfeited deferred compCarried interest or profit-share at PE/HF/VC firmsCFA / Series exam fees and study time off401(k) match and deferred comp plan

What To Say

"I'm walking away from $X in unvested deferred compensation if I leave now. Can we structure the offer with a sign-on that makes me whole, plus a guaranteed first-year bonus floor?"

Anchor on $110K–$139K for experienced roles, citing Chicago market data and your specific CPA/Advisory services expertise.

Accountant Salary FAQ — Chicago

What is the average Accountant salary in Chicago, IL?
The average Accountant salary in Chicago is $83,874 per year as of April 2026 — $6,990/month, $1,613/week, or about $40/hour. Salaries range from $57,750 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $139,325 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Chicago's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×).
Is $83,874 a good Accountant salary in Chicago?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Chicago's cost-of-living index is 107 (vs 100 nationally), giving $83,874 a real purchasing power of approximately $78,387 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $83,874 in Chicago?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Chicago specifically (median home price $360,000), a $83,874 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $83,874 enough for a single person in Chicago?
A single adult in Chicago typically needs ~$48,150 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $83,874 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $83,874 enough for a couple in Chicago?
A couple (one earner) in Chicago typically needs ~$77,040 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $83,874 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $83,874 each ($167,748 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $83,874 enough for a family of 4 in Chicago?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Chicago typically needs ~$117,700 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $83,874 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Chicago. Childcare costs in Chicago typically run $16K-$30K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Accountant in Chicago?
On a $83,874 Accountant salary in Chicago, IL, you take home approximately $63,151.596 per year ($5,263/month, $2,429 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $10,154.28, state $4,151.763, FICA $6,416.361. Effective tax rate: 24.7%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Accountants in Chicago earn compared to the US average?
Accountants in Chicago earn approximately 5% more than the US national median for this role ($79,880 nationally vs $83,874 in Chicago). However, Chicago's cost-of-living index of 107 means real purchasing power is approximately $78,387 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Accountant earn in Chicago?
Entry-level Accountants in Chicago typically start at around $57,750 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Accountants earn $110,250 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $139,325+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Accountant salaries in Chicago increase in 2026?
Yes — Accountant salaries in Chicago grew approximately 410.0% year-over-year, from $16,446 in 2025 to $83,874 in 2026 (+$67,428). This reflects the broader Finance sector's compensation trend, driven by CPA and Advisory services demand.
What's the job outlook for Accountants in Chicago?
Accountant employment projected to grow 6% through 2034. CPA shortage driving competitive salaries, especially in public accounting. Chicago's top industries include Finance, Manufacturing, Healthcare, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.8% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Accountants in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Accountants are: CPA, Advisory services, Data analytics, Automation tools, ESG reporting. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Chicago.
Who are the top employers hiring Accountants in Chicago?
Top employers hiring Accountants in or near Chicago include: Big Four (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG), Berkshire Hathaway, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Mid-tier firms (BDO, RSM). Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Accountant salary in Chicago?
I'm walking away from $X in unvested deferred compensation if I leave now. Can we structure the offer with a sign-on that makes me whole, plus a guaranteed first-year bonus floor? Key leverage points for Finance negotiations: Bonus targets and historical payout percentages (ask for last 3 years actual); Profit-share, carry, or AUM-linked compensation for senior roles; CFA, CPA, or Series licenses materially shift base compensation. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Guaranteed first-year bonus (especially in IB, PE, hedge funds), Sign-on / make-whole for forfeited deferred comp, Carried interest or profit-share at PE/HF/VC firms, CFA / Series exam fees and study time off.
How can I increase my Accountant salary in Chicago?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (CPA, Advisory services, Data analytics) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., CPA or CMA). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Accountant in Chicago?
Bachelor's degree in accounting; 150 credit hours for CPA is the typical path. However, Chicago's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Finance roles.

Methodology & Sources

Accountant salary figures for Chicago are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($79,880) by Chicago's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.05× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (410.0%) reflects the Finance sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Chicago

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Accountant Salary in Other Cities

Houston, TX$84KPhiladelphia, PA$83KDallas, TX$84KFort Worth, TX$81KCharlotte, NC$81KSacramento, CA$86KAtlanta, GA$84KRaleigh, NC$84K

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