Accountants and Auditors Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $81,210 -0.6% vs national
Median hourly $39.04
10th percentile $58,080
90th percentile $136,490
Employed locally 41,860
National median $81,680

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Accountants and Auditors
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $58,080
    25th
    $68,750
    50th (median)
    $81,210
    75th
    $102,190
    90th
    $136,490

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Accountants and Auditors salary vs area income 91% Median Accountants and Auditors salary is 9% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Accountants and Auditors

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $121,630
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $105,750
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $105,100
    District of Columbia $103,030
    New York $101,780
    New Jersey $101,340

    Nearby metros — Accountants and Auditors salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $90,610
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $89,680
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $84,080
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $84,030
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $83,990
    Springfield, IL $83,970

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Management Analysts $120,140
    Business Operations Specialists, All Other $78,320
    Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists $76,380
    Human Resources Specialists $75,610
    Project Management Specialists $104,640
    Financial and Investment Analysts $102,790

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Accountants and Auditors make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Accountants and Auditors in Chicago, IL-IN is $39.04, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $64.47 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Accountants and Auditors salaries?

    The median Accountants and Auditors salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 0.6% below the national median of $81,680. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Accountants and Auditors in Chicago?

    Entry-level Accountants and Auditors (10th percentile) earn around $58,080 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $68,750.