Accountant Salary in Mankato, MN: $78,661 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Mankato, MN earns a median $78,661/year (≈ $37.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Mankato's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $86,483 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, an accountant salary in Mankato is projected to reach a median of $78,661, which is notably lower than the national median of $85,864. The salary range for this profession in the area extends from $58,703 at the 10th percentile to $120,372 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflects a regional market where certified public accountants (CPAs) can command higher salaries due to the premium associated with licensure. The potential to transition from staff to senior positions brings about significant pay increases, reinforcing the value of obtaining a CPA license for career advancement. This strong correlation between licensure and salary growth suggests a competitive landscape for positions in Mankato's accounting sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,703 | $28.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,106 | $31.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,661 | $37.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,326 | $46.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,372 | $57.87 |
Median Salary Position
8.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mankato
In Mankato, MN, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,669 (2026 est.). At $78,661, the local median is 8.39% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mankato: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mankato Accountant Pay Compares
Mankato median: $78,661/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mankato Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $79,778 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -8.39% less |
Accountants in Mankato, MN earn a median of $78,661 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.39% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 1.40% below the Minnesota state average of $79,778.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mankato has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mankato, MN has a cost-of-living index of 90.955 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $78,661 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,483 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,980
2025 BLS Actual
$76,660
2026 Current Est.
$78,661
2019–2027 Growth
+26.2%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Mankato (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,661 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,714 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mankato metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 19.8% from $63,980 (2019) to $76,660 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,714 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,734 (26.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mankato 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) | $58,703 – $65,106 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,106 – $78,661 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,661 – $97,326 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,326 – $120,372 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Mankato
With a workforce of approximately 400 accountants in Mankato, opportunities for growth exist within various sectors. The region's cost of living index of 90.955 indicates that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains favorable compared to more expensive urban markets. Among employers in the area, major public accounting firms and regional CPA practices generally offer more lucrative compensation, while industry roles may provide steady income with additional benefits. The disparity between lower and higher pay varies significantly based on factors such as CPA licensure, the type of firm—where Big 4 firms tend to dominate the salary landscape—and specialty practices that command premiums. For those aiming to maximize accountant pay in Mankato, pursuing CPA certification, seeking experience at larger firms, and honing skills in specialized fields like tax or forensic accounting can enhance earning potential considerably.
More salary data for Mankato, 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
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 $76,660 for accountantsin the Mankato 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
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