Accountant Salary in Owatonna, MN: $79,166 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Owatonna, MN earns a median $79,166/year (≈ $38.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Owatonna's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $80,372 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Owatonna, Minnesota, the projected median annual salary for accountants is $79,166 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $85,864, reflecting a local market that diverges from broader trends. With an overall salary range spanning from $52,344 at the 10th percentile to $122,707 at the 90th percentile, Owatonna's accountants face a variety of compensation scenarios that often depend on their chosen career pathway. Estimates derived from BLS state-level data indicate that while local accounting salaries may not rival those typically found in major metropolitan areas, the relatively low cost of living in the region can enhance the value of these earnings. Consequently, accountants in Owatonna looking to capitalize on their skills will find viable opportunities that may provide a solid foundation for their professional growth.
About the Owatonna Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,344 | $25.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,082 | $29.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,166 | $38.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,333 | $48.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,707 | $58.99 |
Median Salary Position
7.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Owatonna
In Owatonna, MN, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,363 (2026 est.). At $79,166, the local median is 7.8% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Owatonna: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Owatonna Accountant Pay Compares
Owatonna median: $79,166/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Owatonna Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $79,724 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -7.80% less |
Accountants in Owatonna, MN earn a median of $79,166 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.80% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 0.70% below the Minnesota state average of $79,724.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Owatonna 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.
Owatonna, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $79,166 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,372 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
$65,968
2025 BLS Actual
$77,152
2026 Current Est.
$79,166
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Owatonna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,968 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,821 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,224 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,915 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,648 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,152 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,166 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,232 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Owatonna metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $65,968 (2019) to $77,152 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,232 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,264 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Owatonna 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) | $52,344 – $62,082 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,082 – $79,166 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,166 – $101,333 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,333 – $122,707 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Owatonna
Analyzing the job market in Owatonna reveals a compact yet dynamic environment, with only six accountants currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 98.5, which is below the national average, meaning that the purchasing power of the accountant pay in Owatonna MN may stretch further compared to higher-cost regions. The bulk of accounting jobs in the area typically come from corporate sectors, though potential high payouts may be found with larger employers or those specializing in tax, forensic, or valuation services. Factors influencing the salary spread include a CPA license's impact on entry-level positioning, the prestige associated with Big 4 firms, and specialty roles that warrant higher pay. To maximize their earnings, professionals should consider gaining experience with larger firms before transitioning to industry roles, where positions like industry controller might offer lucrative cash compensation without the rigors of public accounting's busy seasons.
More salary data for Owatonna, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Owatonna, MN in 2026?
Is Owatonna, MN a good place to work as a accountant?
Can accountants make $100K in Owatonna?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted accountant salary in Owatonna?
How much does a accountant make per hour in Owatonna?
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 $77,152 for accountantsin the Owatonna 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 Owatonna 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