Accountant Salary

Duluth vs Minnetonka: Accountant Salary (2026)

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

Duluth, MN
$79,420
$38.18/hr
Minnetonka, MN
$78,796
$37.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNMinnetonka, MN
Median Salary$79,420$78,796
Hourly Rate$38.18$37.88
Entry Level (P10)$57,144$49,639
25th Percentile$65,188$64,913
75th Percentile$96,741$100,859
Top Earner (P90)$123,707$122,135
Total Employed94012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($79,420) and Minnetonka ($78,796) accountant salaries.DuluthMinnetonkaMedian Salary$79,420$78,796Entry Level (P10)$57,144$49,639Top Earner (P90)$123,707$122,135US Median $85,864

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Duluth and Minnetonka is $624 (0.79%). 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,Minnetonka spans $72,496. Minnetonka has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced accountants.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$57,144
P25$65,188
Median$79,420
P75$96,741
P90 (Top)$123,707
Minnetonka
P10 (Entry)$49,639
P25$64,913
Median$78,796
P75$100,859
P90 (Top)$122,135

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($89,469 effective) pays 11.84% more than Minnetonka ($79,996 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $79,420
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $89,469
Minnetonka
Nominal: $78,796
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $79,996

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 Minnetonka 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 Minnetonka over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+23.3%

$62,750 (2019) → $77,400 (2025)

Minnetonka, MN

+-3.8%

$79,806 (2024) → $76,792 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: Duluth or Minnetonka?

Duluth has a higher median accountant salary at $79,420/year, compared to Minnetonka at $78,796/year — a difference of $624 (0.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Minnetonka?

Duluth accountants earn $38.18/hr while Minnetonka hygienists earn $37.88/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to Minnetonka as a accountant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Minnetonka. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $89,469, Minnetonka = $79,996), job availability (940 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $57,144 in Duluth and $49,639 in Minnetonka. The Duluth 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