Accountant Hourly Pay in Rochester, MN: $41.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Rochester, MN runs $41.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,151 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.8, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,684 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
The typical accountant hourly pay in Rochester, Minnesota, stands at $41.41, which slightly exceeds the national median of $41.28. This competitive rate reflects the city's blend of public accounting firms and corporate finance opportunities. For accountants working part-time—such as those dedicating three days a week to their profession—their potential earnings become significant. In various settings, including public firms or remote tax season roles, the hourly rate offers flexibility, catering both to seasoned accountants and recent graduates. Entry-level positions can expect to start around $29.55, while top earners in specialized roles may reach as high as $67.35 per hour. This data is grounded in official Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.55 | $236.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.70 | $277.62 |
| Median (P50) | $41.41 | $331.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.88 | $431.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67.35 | $538.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $41.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.41/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, MN can expect to earn approximately $86,140 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,696. With a cost-of-living index of 90.82 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,656.54 | $7,178 | $86,140 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $993.92 | $4,307 | $51,684 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $662.61 | $2,871 | $34,456 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Rochester) | $41.41 |
| 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 Rochester, MN earn a median of $86,151 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.33% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 8.00% above the Minnesota state average of $79,770.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.41/hr = $51,684/year (purchasing power: $56,907).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,140/year (purchasing power: $94,846).
CoL index: 90.821 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Rochester grew 37.0% from $29.47/hr (2019) to $40.36/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.49/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
Accountants in Rochester looking to work part-time, perhaps for just 24 hours a week, can anticipate an annual take-home that differs substantially from full-time earnings. While full-time positions might lead to a salary that encompasses overtime and bonuses, part-time work offers a more stable but limited income. Per diem and contract accountants often command billing rates ranging from $50 to $95 per hour, depending on their specialization, with former Big 4 employees earning even more—especially during busy seasons when demand surges. Employer types also influence hourly compensation, as big public accounting firms typically offer great opportunities, while regional CPA firms and corporate departments present diverse work environments, albeit at varying pay scales. Consequently, accountants must consider the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits versus lower rates that include healthcare and retirement plans. For those negotiating their pay in Rochester, it’s essential to understand market trends and seek transparency in offers to achieve optimal compensation reflective of industry standards.
More salary data for Rochester, 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 Rochester. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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