Bookkeeper salary in Chicago, IL
Median pay, Chicago metro
$51,440/year
about $24.73 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $45,620 – $61,610
Half of bookkeepers in the Chicago metro area earn more than $51,440 a year and half earn less. That's 2% higher than the national median of $50,670, and ranks #19 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| 25th | $45,620 | $21.93 |
| Median (50th) | $51,440 | $24.73 |
| 75th | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| 90th (top earners) | $73,430 | $35.30 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a bookkeeper job in the Chicago metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $45,620 ($21.93/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $45,620 to $61,610 ($21.93 to $29.62/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $61,610 ($29.62/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Ask which software you'd use (QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite). Experience with it can support a higher offer.
- Full-charge bookkeepers who handle everything through month-end close usually earn more than clerks.
- Part-time and contract bookkeeping is common, so compare by hourly rate.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Chicago metro. Occupation: Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks (SOC 43-3031). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.