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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cost Accounting Director in Illinois is $202,955 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $98.
However, a Cost Accounting Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Cost Accounting Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $221,683 | $18,474 | $4,263 | $107 |
| Average | $202,955 | $16,913 | $3,903 | $98 |
| 25th Percentile | $183,519 | $15,293 | $3,529 | $88 |
COLE-PARMER INSTRUMENT COMPANY - Vernon Hills, IL
Adm - Decatur, IL
Continuserve - River Forest, IL
YMCA of the USA - Chicago, IL
A Cost Accounting Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Cost Accounting Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Accountin... Level Cost Accounting Director | $121,754 |
| Accountin... Level Cost Accounting Director | $165,664 |
| Cost Acco... Level Cost Accounting Director | $201,578 |
| Vice Pres... Level Cost Accounting Director | $242,565 |
| SVP of Ac... Level Cost Accounting Director | $302,965 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Cost Accounting Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Cost Accounting Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Transportation sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Cost Accounting Director positions in Retail & Wholesale or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cost Accounting Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $304,432 | $146.0 | 50% |
| Transportation | $294,285 | $141.0 | 45% |
| Biotechnology | $284,137 | $137.0 | 40% |
| Chemicals | $273,989 | $132.0 | 35% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $263,841 | $127.0 | 30% |
Understanding how a Cost Accounting Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $221,683 | $18,474 | $4,263 | $107 |
| Average | $202,955 | $16,913 | $3,903 | $98 |
| 25th Percentile | $183,519 | $15,293 | $3,529 | $88 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Cost Accounting Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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