Accountant Salary

Duluth vs Faribault: Accountant Salary (2026)

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

Duluth, MN
$79,420
$38.18/hr
Faribault, MN
$75,332
$36.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNFaribault, MN
Median Salary$79,420$75,332
Hourly Rate$38.18$36.22
Entry Level (P10)$57,144$51,369
25th Percentile$65,188$59,989
75th Percentile$96,741$96,425
Top Earner (P90)$123,707$116,765
Total Employed9406
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($79,420) and Faribault ($75,332) accountant salaries.DuluthFaribaultMedian Salary$79,420$75,332Entry Level (P10)$57,144$51,369Top Earner (P90)$123,707$116,765US Median $85,864

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Duluth and Faribault is $4,088 (5.43%). Duluth's median is -7.50% compared to the US national median of $85,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $66,563,Faribault spans $65,396. Duluth has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$57,144
P25$65,188
Median$79,420
P75$96,741
P90 (Top)$123,707
Faribault
P10 (Entry)$51,369
P25$59,989
Median$75,332
P75$96,425
P90 (Top)$116,765

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($89,469 effective) pays 16.99% more than Faribault ($76,479 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $79,420
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $89,469
Faribault
Nominal: $75,332
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $76,479

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,420/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($123,707)
  • Larger job market (940 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $89,469)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Faribault if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, accountant salaries in Duluth grew 23.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -3.8% growth in Faribault over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+23.3%

$62,750 (2019) → $77,400 (2025)

Faribault, MN

+-3.8%

$76,297 (2024) → $73,416 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: Duluth or Faribault?

Duluth has a higher median accountant salary at $79,420/year, compared to Faribault at $75,332/year — a difference of $4,088 (5.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Faribault?

Duluth accountants earn $38.18/hr while Faribault hygienists earn $36.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to Faribault as a accountant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Faribault. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $89,469, Faribault = $76,479), job availability (940 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $57,144 in Duluth and $51,369 in Faribault. The Duluth area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SP

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