Cost of hiring a bookkeeper in Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN
Bookkeepers earn more in Chicago-Naperville than anywhere else in Illinois. Expect a median of $51,440 a year[1], 3.8% above the Illinois statewide median of $49,560 and 1.5% above the US median of $50,670. That is in the top quarter of US areas (#93 of 521). It is the largest market for the job in Illinois: about 35,660 people.
BLS occupation 43-3031, area Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Chicago-Naperville against Illinois and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN | $36,140 | $51,440 | $73,430 | |
| Illinois | $32,360 | $49,560 | $71,480 | |
| United States | $36,000 | $50,670 | $74,550 |
Bookkeepers at the 90th percentile earn $73,430, 2.0 times the 10th percentile; the US ratio is 2.1. The middle half of bookkeepers in Chicago-Naperville earns $45,620–$61,610.
What to budget for a bookkeeper here
| Point in the local range | Per year | Per month | Per hour | Employer cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,140 | $3,012 | $17.38 | $51,629 |
| 25th percentile | $45,620 | $3,802 | $21.93 | $65,171 |
| Median | $51,440 | $4,287 | $24.73 | $73,486 |
| 75th percentile | $61,610 | $5,134 | $29.62 | $88,014 |
| 90th percentile | $73,430 | $6,119 | $35.30 | $104,900 |
An offer at the 75th percentile instead of the median adds $10,170 a year in pay and about $14,529 in employer cost. Going down to the 25th percentile saves $5,820 in pay. These percentiles describe what people in the job earn locally, not experience levels, so place your offer by the tasks and seniority you need.
What a hire really costs in Chicago-Naperville
Pay is only part of it. Benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], which adds about $22,046 to the $51,440 median and brings it to $73,486 a year. Recruiting, equipment and office space come on top. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for bookkeepers we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Other roles in Chicago-Naperville
Of the 17 roles we track in Chicago-Naperville, this one ranks #10 by median pay. Project Coordinator is the highest at $105,320 and Virtual Receptionist the lowest at $38,060.
| Role | Median | vs bookkeeper | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +104.7% | 21,040 | |
| Accountant | +60.1% | 41,360 | |
| Marketing Specialist | +56.3% | 30,970 | |
| Recruiter | +52.0% | 26,470 | |
| Executive Assistant | +51.2% | 10,620 | |
| Office Manager | +39.4% | 33,180 | |
| Sales Development Representative | +37.5% | 55,730 | |
| Paralegal | +37.2% | 11,590 | |
| Payroll Specialist | +22.3% | 4,170 | |
| Bookkeeper | this role | 35,660 | |
| Administrative Assistant | -1.9% | 50,190 | |
| HR Assistant | -3.6% | 2,920 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | -6.9% | 2,970 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -7.3% | 20,020 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -8.4% | 75,240 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -13.2% | 4,270 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -26.0% | 30,540 |
Other areas in Illinois
Across the 12 areas of Illinois with data for this job, the median runs from $45,220 in Bloomington to $51,440 in Chicago-Naperville, a gap of $6,220 a year.
| Area | Median | vs Chicago-Naperville | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN | this area | 35,660 | |
| Springfield, IL | -1.3% | 860 | |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | -5.1% | 710 | |
| Decatur, IL | -6.3% | 330 | |
| Peoria, IL | -7.3% | 1,390 | |
| Kankakee, IL | -8.2% | 400 | |
| Rockford, IL | -9.0% | 1,020 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire a bookkeeper in Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN?
About $73,486 a year at the median, or $6,124 a month: $51,440 in pay plus benefits and payroll taxes at the 30% share of total compensation in US private industry (June 2026). Recruiting, equipment and office space are extra.
What is the pay range for bookkeepers in Chicago-Naperville?
The median was $51,440 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $36,140, the 90th $73,430, and the middle half earned $45,620 to $61,610.
Is Chicago-Naperville the most expensive area in Illinois for bookkeepers?
Yes. Its median of $51,440 is the highest of 12 areas in Illinois. Springfield comes next at $50,780.
How many bookkeepers work in Chicago-Naperville?
BLS counts about 35,660 in the May 2025 survey.
Does a bookkeeper cost more than an administrative assistant in Chicago-Naperville?
Yes: $1,000 a year more at the median. The medians are $51,440 and $50,440.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 43-3031: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes433031.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-05.