Accountant Salary in St. Paul, MN: $87,867 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in St. Paul, MN earns a median $87,867/year (≈ $42.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in St. Paul's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $89,205 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.2% above the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the expected median annual salary for accountants in St. Paul, Minnesota, reaches $87,867, surpassing the national median of $85,864 by 2.33%. This attractive compensation reflects the premium associated with CPA licensure, which allows professionals to step into senior roles that command higher pay. The salary range for accountants in St. Paul spans from $57,987 at the 10th percentile to $136,194 at the 90th percentile, highlighting significant earnings potential as one gains expertise and credentials. Projections are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for local living costs, showing a robust job market for accountants. With 80 positions currently filled in the area, accountants have promising opportunities though they must navigate the local salary dynamics to maximize their compensation.
About the St. Paul Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,987 | $27.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,810 | $33.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,867 | $42.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,470 | $54.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136,194 | $65.48 |
Median Salary Position
2.33% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Paul
In St. Paul, MN, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,207 (2026 est.). At $87,867, the local median is 2.33% above the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Paul: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Paul Accountant Pay Compares
St. Paul median: $87,867/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Paul Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $79,734 | +10.20% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | +2.33% more |
Accountants in St. Paul, MN earn a median of $87,867 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.33% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 10.20% above the Minnesota state average of $79,734.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Paul 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.
St. Paul, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $87,867 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $89,205 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,219
2025 BLS Actual
$85,632
2026 Current Est.
$87,867
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in St. Paul (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,219 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,276 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,052 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,743 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,957 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,632 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,867 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,160 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Paul metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $73,219 (2019) to $85,632 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,160 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,941 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Paul 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) | $57,987 – $69,810 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,810 – $87,867 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,867 – $112,470 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,470 – $136,194 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in St. Paul
The local employment landscape for accountants in St. Paul is characterized by an average cost-of-living index of 98.5, which slightly lowers the financial pressure on take-home pay compared to national averages. Among the key employers, Big 4 firms such as Deloitte and PwC typically offer the highest salaries, followed by mid-tier firms like RSM and Grant Thornton. In contrast, boutique firms and local CPA practices tend to pay less, reflecting their market niche and client base. Earnings vary widely due to several factors including CPA licensure, which significantly influences entry-level to senior-level pay discrepancies, and specialization areas like tax or forensic accounting that may command premiums. Accountants can enhance their salaries by pursuing advanced certifications, gaining experience at respected firms, and transitioning into industry roles, where salaries can be more lucrative without the demanding hours seen during busy seasons.
More salary data for St. Paul, 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 $85,632 for accountantsin the St. Paul 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 St. Paul 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