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Finance Careers in Chicago, United States

Accountant in Chicago: Salary & Job Market Guide

Chicago is the commercial heart of the American Midwest, with deep markets in finance, trading, logistics, consulting, and an underrated tech scene.

Estimated mid-level salary: $85,000 - $115,000

Estimates shown in Canadian dollar equivalents for comparison across cities. Local offers in Chicago are typically made in USD.

The Chicago Job Market for Accountants

  • Global centre for derivatives and commodities trading (CME Group)
  • Major consulting and professional services hub
  • North America's largest rail and logistics interchange
  • More affordable than coastal metros with big-market salaries

Top hiring industries in Chicago: Finance & Trading, Logistics, Consulting, Manufacturing, Tech. For a accountant, that means tailoring your resume to the sectors doing the most local hiring, and using the exact skill keywords those employers screen for.

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About the Accountant Role

Accountants record, verify, and report an organization's financial activity, from bookkeeping and payroll through audited financial statements. It is one of the most stable careers in any economy, with a clear designation-driven ladder.

Skills Chicago employers look for

  • Financial reporting (IFRS/GAAP)
  • Month-end close
  • Reconciliations
  • ERP systems (SAP, NetSuite, QuickBooks)
  • Excel
  • Tax fundamentals
  • Attention to detail

For the full career path, salary bands by seniority, and complete FAQs, see the main Accountant career guide.

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Accountant in Chicago: FAQs

How much does a Accountant make in Chicago?
A mid-level Accountant in Chicago typically earns between $85,000 and $115,000 per year (shown in Canadian dollar equivalents for comparison; local offers are usually made in USD). Senior professionals and leads earn meaningfully more, and pay varies with company size and specialization.
What is the job market like for a Accountant in Chicago?
Chicago is the commercial heart of the American Midwest, with deep markets in finance, trading, logistics, consulting, and an underrated tech scene. Key strengths of the local market include: global centre for derivatives and commodities trading (cme group); major consulting and professional services hub. The strongest hiring sectors are Finance & Trading, Logistics, Consulting.
Do I need a CPA to advance as an accountant in Canada?
For controller, manager, and senior industry roles, the CPA designation is close to mandatory in Canada and strongly preferred in the US. You can build a solid career in bookkeeping and staff roles without it, but the salary ceiling is significantly lower. Most employers will subsidize the CPA program.
Will AI and automation replace accountants?
Automation is absorbing data entry and reconciliation work, but demand for accountants who can interpret results, handle judgment areas, and advise the business is growing. The profession is also facing a talent shortage as retirements outpace new CPAs, which is pushing salaries up, not down.

Accountant Jobs in Other Cities

TorontoVancouverCalgaryMontrealOttawaEdmontonWinnipegHalifaxVictoriaWaterlooNew YorkSan Francisco

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