Accountant Salary

Bloomington vs Duluth: Accountant Salary (2026)

Compare accountant salaries between Bloomington, MN and Duluth, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bloomington, MN
$87,185
$41.92/hr
Duluth, MN
$79,420
$38.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBloomington, MNDuluth, MN
Median Salary$87,185$79,420
Hourly Rate$41.92$38.18
Entry Level (P10)$59,610$57,144
25th Percentile$68,266$65,188
75th Percentile$111,597$96,741
Top Earner (P90)$135,136$123,707
Total Employed18940
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bloomington ($87,185) and Duluth ($79,420) accountant salaries.BloomingtonDuluthMedian Salary$87,185$79,420Entry Level (P10)$59,610$57,144Top Earner (P90)$135,136$123,707US Median $85,864

Verdict

Bloomington, MN offers better overall compensation for accountants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Duluth.

The salary gap between Bloomington and Duluth is $7,765 (9.78%). Bloomington's median is +1.54% compared to the US national median of $85,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bloomington spans $75,526,Duluth spans $66,563. Bloomington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bloomington
P10 (Entry)$59,610
P25$68,266
Median$87,185
P75$111,597
P90 (Top)$135,136
Duluth
P10 (Entry)$57,144
P25$65,188
Median$79,420
P75$96,741
P90 (Top)$123,707

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($89,469 effective) pays 1.08% more than Bloomington ($88,513 effective).

Bloomington
Nominal: $87,185
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $88,513
Duluth
Nominal: $79,420
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $89,469

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bloomington if…

  • Higher median salary ($87,185/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($135,136)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Duluth if…

  • Larger job market (940 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $89,469)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, accountant salaries in Bloomington grew 8.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.3% growth in Duluth over the same period.

Bloomington, MN

+8.2%

$78,545 (2024) → $84,967 (2025)

Duluth, MN

+23.3%

$62,750 (2019) → $77,400 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: Bloomington or Duluth?

Bloomington has a higher median accountant salary at $87,185/year, compared to Duluth at $79,420/year — a difference of $7,765 (9.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bloomington and Duluth?

Bloomington accountants earn $41.92/hr while Duluth hygienists earn $38.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bloomington to Duluth as a accountant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bloomington and Duluth. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bloomington = $88,513, Duluth = $89,469), job availability (18 vs 940 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level accountants earn in Bloomington vs Duluth?

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $59,610 in Bloomington and $57,144 in Duluth. The Bloomington area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Sofia Patel, CPA

Career Analyst

Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Chen, CMAData verified by Amina Khan, MBA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.61% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov