Accountant Salary

Springfield vs St. Joseph: Accountant Salary (2026)

Compare accountant salaries between Springfield, MO and St. Joseph, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Springfield, MO
$74,926
$36.03/hr
St. Joseph, MO
$69,241
$33.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpringfield, MOSt. Joseph, MO
Median Salary$74,926$69,241
Hourly Rate$36.03$33.29
Entry Level (P10)$50,125$45,333
25th Percentile$59,134$59,852
75th Percentile$96,166$87,003
Top Earner (P90)$123,871$117,509
Total Employed2,070340
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Springfield ($74,926) and St. Joseph ($69,241) accountant salaries.SpringfieldSt. JosephMedian Salary$74,926$69,241Entry Level (P10)$50,125$45,333Top Earner (P90)$123,871$117,509US Median $85,864

Verdict

Springfield, MO offers better overall compensation for accountants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to St. Joseph.

The salary gap between Springfield and St. Joseph is $5,685 (8.21%). Springfield's median is -12.74% compared to the US national median of $85,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Springfield spans $73,746,St. Joseph spans $72,176. Springfield has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Springfield
P10 (Entry)$50,125
P25$59,134
Median$74,926
P75$96,166
P90 (Top)$123,871
St. Joseph
P10 (Entry)$45,333
P25$59,852
Median$69,241
P75$87,003
P90 (Top)$117,509

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($84,581 effective) pays 5.52% more than St. Joseph ($80,157 effective).

Springfield
Nominal: $74,926
CoL Index: 88.585
Adjusted: $84,581
St. Joseph
Nominal: $69,241
CoL Index: 86.382
Adjusted: $80,157

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,926/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($123,871)
  • Larger job market (2,070 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $84,581)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Joseph if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, accountant salaries in Springfield grew 40.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.6% growth in St. Joseph over the same period.

Springfield, MO

+40.4%

$52,010 (2019) → $73,020 (2025)

St. Joseph, MO

+14.6%

$58,870 (2019) → $67,480 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: Springfield or St. Joseph?

Springfield has a higher median accountant salary at $74,926/year, compared to St. Joseph at $69,241/year — a difference of $5,685 (8.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Springfield and St. Joseph?

Springfield accountants earn $36.03/hr while St. Joseph hygienists earn $33.29/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Springfield to St. Joseph as a accountant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Springfield and St. Joseph. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Springfield = $84,581, St. Joseph = $80,157), job availability (2,070 vs 340 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level accountants earn in Springfield vs St. Joseph?

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $50,125 in Springfield and $45,333 in St. Joseph. The Springfield 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