Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks earn $50,390 at the median — $24.23 an hour. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $72K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $48,644 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,781/month — about 53.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $50K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
About bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $50K.Top earners bring in $72K or more - a $34K spread from bottom to top.
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $62K | +27% | 1,870 |
| California | $57K | +17% | 154,980 |
| Connecticut | $57K | +16% | 14,820 |
| Massachusetts | $57K | +16% | 31,010 |
| New Jersey | $57K | +15% | 40,560 |
| Washington | $57K | +15% | 36,640 |
| New York | $56K | +14% | 93,920 |
| Alaska | $55K | +11% | 4,630 |
| Maryland | $54K | +10% | 18,380 |
| Rhode Island | $54K | +9% | 4,470 |
| Minnesota | $52K | +6% | 27,520 |
| Delaware | $52K | +5% | 4,980 |
| Vermont | $52K | +5% | 3,260 |
| New Hampshire | $50K | +2% | 7,620 |
| Oregon | $50K | +2% | 23,250 |
Track bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chicago-Naperville-Elgin numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $50,390 a year - that works out to about $24.23 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,290, and experienced bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks can clear $71,660. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $50K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,336/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 53.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks salary go in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has a Regional Price Parity of 103.59 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks salary is worth about $48,644 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.