Accountant Salary in Austin, MN: $75,429 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Austin, MN earns a median $75,429/year (≈ $36.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Austin's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $76,578 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Accountants in Austin, Minnesota are projected to earn a median annual salary of $75,429 in 2026, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $85,864 for the same year. Their salaries range significantly from $49,764 at the 10th percentile to $116,915 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity in experience levels and firm types in the area. This data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates adjusted for regional price variances in Austin MN, showcases the competition between local firms and larger entities such as the Big 4 public accounting firms. As the accounting profession continues to evolve, professionals in Austin may find opportunities to improve their compensation by transitioning into roles within regional CPA firms or corporate accounting departments, which can provide a different pay structure.
About the Austin Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,764 | $23.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,306 | $28.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,429 | $36.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,549 | $46.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,915 | $56.21 |
Median Salary Position
12.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, MN, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,151 (2026 est.). At $75,429, the local median is 12.15% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Austin Accountant Pay Compares
Austin median: $75,429/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $79,734 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -12.15% less |
Accountants in Austin, MN earn a median of $75,429 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.15% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 5.40% below the Minnesota state average of $79,734.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin 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.
Austin, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $75,429 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,578 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,854
2025 BLS Actual
$73,510
2026 Current Est.
$75,429
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,854 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,861 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,172 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,394 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,429 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,397 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $62,854 (2019) to $73,510 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,397 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,543 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $49,764 – $59,306 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,306 – $75,429 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,429 – $96,549 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,549 – $116,915 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Austin
In terms of market dynamics, there are currently only four accountants employed in the Austin area, indicating a specialized niche with potential for growth. The cost of living index stands at 98.5, suggesting that living expenses are below the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of local salaries. Notably, accountants looking for the highest pay might consider opportunities with corporate accounting departments or larger regional CPA firms, as these employers typically offer more competitive compensation packages than smaller local practices. The disparity between low and high salaries often stems from several factors, including the CPA license, the type of firm (Big 4 or regional versus local), and specializations like tax or forensic accounting. For those keen on maximizing their earning potential, targeting larger firms and pursuing industry opportunities after gaining public accounting experience can be advantageous strategies in the Austin MN job market.
More salary data for Austin, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Austin, MN in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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
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 $73,510 for accountantsin the Austin 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 Austin 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