Accountant Hourly Pay in Prior Lake, MN: $37.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Prior Lake, MN runs $37.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,052 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Prior Lake's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,831 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Prior Lake, MN, the accountant hourly pay is projected to be $37.52 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national average of $41.28. This discrepancy may impact individuals considering part-time accounting roles, such as those working three days per week, who can expect to earn around $1,800 monthly if they log around 24 hours every week. On the lower end of the scale, entry-level accountants make approximately $25.01 per hour, while seasoned professionals and those in specialized fields can command rates as high as $58.16 per hour. These hourly pay estimates are derived from annual salary data, providing a crucial insight for professionals gauging their earning potential in various settings, including corporate finance offices, public accounting firms, and remote work environments during tax season.
About the Prior Lake Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.01 | $200.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.60 | $236.82 |
| Median (P50) | $37.52 | $300.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.47 | $379.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58.16 | $465.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Prior Lake
Based on $37.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.52/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Prior Lake, MN can expect to earn approximately $78,051 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,029. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Prior Lake.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Prior Lake
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,500.98 | $6,504 | $78,051 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $900.59 | $3,903 | $46,831 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $600.39 | $2,602 | $31,220 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Prior Lake) | $37.52 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Bookkeeping / Accounting Clerk (National Avg) | $22.93 |
| Auditor (National Avg) | $39.88 |
| Tax Examiner / Collector (National Avg) | $29.61 |
Accountants in Prior Lake, MN earn a median of $78,052 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.10% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 2.10% below the Minnesota state average of $79,727.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.52/hr = $46,831/year (purchasing power: $47,544).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,051/year (purchasing power: $79,240).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Prior Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Prior Lake grew 17.0% from $31.27/hr (2019) to $36.57/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.50/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem accountants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Prior Lake metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.61% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Accountant in Prior Lake
The earning potential varies widely for accountants across Prior Lake based on their employment type. A part-time accountant working 24 hours a week may bring home significantly less annually compared to full-time counterparts, highlighting a stark contrast in financial stability. In the realm of per diem work, accountants can earn between $50-$95 per hour, with seasoned professionals from the Big 4 accounting firms able to charge between $80-$130 per hour during the busy season. Meanwhile, forensic accounting experts may find themselves billing clients an impressive $300-$600 per hour in litigation scenarios. Salaries tend to differ depending on employer type; accountants at local CPA firms generally earn less than those in secure corporate roles or high-stakes litigation. Many accountants choose roles that offer benefits over higher hourly rates, balancing immediate pay against job security. For those negotiating their hourly rate in Prior Lake, knowing the demands and opportunities in different accounting sectors can provide leverage for competitive compensation discussions.
More salary data for Prior Lake, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for accountants in Prior Lake. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Prior Lake is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov