Accountant and Auditor Salary in Chicago, IL
Accountants and Auditors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $82,360 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $62,838 take-home, or $5,237 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median accountant and auditor salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,289
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,106
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,194
- Illinois income tax$3,932
- Take-home pay$62,838
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Accountant and Auditor pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,530 | $28.62 | $47,210 | $3,934 |
| 25th percentile | $72,280 | $34.75 | $56,246 | $4,687 |
| Median (50th) | $82,360 | $39.60 | $62,838 | $5,237 |
| 75th percentile | $103,120 | $49.58 | $76,415 | $6,368 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,100 | $64.47 | $96,430 | $8,036 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $82,360 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median accountant and auditor's $62,838 take-home pay has the buying power of $60,658 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Accountant and Auditor jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.98).
Best-paying cities for accountants and auditors, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #81 of 90 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $121,700 | $85,775 | $77,679 |
| 2 | Charlotte, NC | $92,910 | $70,994 | $72,928 |
| 3 | Sioux Falls, SD | $80,920 | $65,757 | $72,555 |
| 4 | Trenton, NJ | $99,550 | $74,712 | $72,409 |
| 5 | Boulder, CO | $99,990 | $75,482 | $71,749 |
| 6 | Bridgeport, CT | $102,020 | $76,565 | $71,647 |
| 7 | Providence, RI | $95,020 | $72,730 | $71,463 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $100,020 | $75,502 | $71,375 |
| 81 | Chicago, IL | $82,360 | $62,838 | $60,658 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 90 metros →
About the job: accountants and auditors
Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.0% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a accountant and auditor make in Chicago, IL?
The median accountant and auditor salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $82,360 a year, or about $39.60 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $72,280 and $103,120.
What is a accountant and auditor’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $82,360 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $62,838 a year ($5,237 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,932 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a accountant and auditor?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $83,680. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $60,658 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #81 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a accountant and auditor afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 29% of a median accountant and auditor’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
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- Management Analyst — $105,090
- Labor Relations Specialist — $103,570
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $101,750
- Insurance Underwriter — $99,840
- Financial Examiner — $98,470
- Credit Analyst — $92,900
- Cost Estimator — $83,640
- Compliance Officer — $82,020
- Financial Specialists, All Other — $81,740