Accountant Salary in Apple Valley, MN: $77,319 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Apple Valley, MN earns a median $77,319/year (≈ $37.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Apple Valley's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $78,496 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
As of 2026, accountants in Apple Valley, Minnesota, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $77,319, which is about 9.95% lower than the national median of $85,864. The salary range varies significantly, with the bottom 10% earning around $52,577 and the top 10% making as much as $119,844. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, reflect a promising career pathway for those entering the accounting field. Transitioning from public firms to industry roles can also impact lifetime compensation, shaping the financial profiles of professionals over time in this thriving market.
About the Apple Valley Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,577 | $25.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,959 | $29.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,319 | $37.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,968 | $47.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,844 | $57.62 |
Median Salary Position
9.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apple Valley
In Apple Valley, MN, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,267 (2026 est.). At $77,319, the local median is 9.95% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Apple Valley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Apple Valley Accountant Pay Compares
Apple Valley median: $77,319/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apple Valley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $79,710 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -9.95% less |
Accountants in Apple Valley, MN earn a median of $77,319 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.95% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 3.00% below the Minnesota state average of $79,710.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Apple Valley has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Apple Valley, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $77,319 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,496 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$64,429
2025 BLS Actual
$75,352
2026 Current Est.
$77,319
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Apple Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,429 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,239 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,562 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,237 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,309 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,352 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,319 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,337 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apple Valley metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $64,429 (2019) to $75,352 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,337 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,908 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Apple Valley 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $52,577 – $61,959 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,959 – $77,319 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,319 – $98,968 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,968 – $119,844 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Apple Valley
Currently, only 13 accountants are employed in Apple Valley, which can stabilize the job market dynamics for this profession in the area. The cost of living index stands at 98.5, slightly below the national average, suggesting that salaries may afford a reasonable standard of living. Among local employers, mid-tier CPA firms tend to provide competitive salaries, but larger public firms like Deloitte and PwC usually offer higher starting pay, particularly attractive for new graduates coming through the Big 4 pipeline. Factors driving the variations in pay include the CPA license's implications on salary brackets, specialized skills that command premiums, and potential for overtime during the busy season. To enhance earning potential in Apple Valley, accountants should consider pursuing CPA certification, focusing on niche specialties, and building networks within both public and corporate accounting sectors for comprehensive career growth.
More salary data for Apple Valley, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Apple Valley, MN in 2026?
Is Apple Valley, MN a good place to work as a accountant?
Can accountants make $100K in Apple Valley?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted accountant salary in Apple Valley?
How much does a accountant make per hour in Apple Valley?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Minnesota
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $75,352 for accountantsin the Apple Valley metropolitan area. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Apple Valley 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