Accountant Hourly Pay in St. Paul, MN: $42.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in St. Paul, MN runs $42.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,867 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against St. Paul's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,721 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Accountants in St. Paul, Minnesota, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $42.24, which is slightly above the national median of $41.28. This competitive pay provides meaningful opportunities for both full-time and part-time accountants, particularly those working three days a week. For individuals engaged in client-facing roles, whether at public accounting firms or in corporate finance, the hourly pay can significantly affect their overall earnings potential. Entry-level accountants in this city might earn around $27.88 per hour, while more experienced professionals can command rates as high as $65.48. It’s essential to recognize that these hourly figures are derived from projected annual salary estimates for 2026, which allow for a flexible work structure across various professional environments, including remote work during tax season or field positions at IRS offices.
About the St. Paul Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.88 | $223.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.56 | $268.51 |
| Median (P50) | $42.24 | $337.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.08 | $432.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.48 | $523.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Paul
Based on $42.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.24/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Paul, MN can expect to earn approximately $87,869 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,693. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Paul.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Paul
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,689.78 | $7,322 | $87,869 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,013.87 | $4,393 | $52,721 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $675.91 | $2,929 | $35,147 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (St. Paul) | $42.24 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Bookkeeping / Accounting Clerk (National Avg) | $22.93 |
| Auditor (National Avg) | $39.88 |
| Tax Examiner / Collector (National Avg) | $29.61 |
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.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.24/hr = $52,721/year (purchasing power: $53,524).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,869/year (purchasing power: $89,207).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in St. Paul (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in St. Paul grew 17.0% from $35.20/hr (2019) to $41.17/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.35/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem accountants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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.
Working as an Hourly Accountant in St. Paul
For part-time accountants working a typical schedule of 24 hours per week, their annual income would reflect a considerable difference compared to their full-time counterparts. Many per diem or contract accountants may bill hourly rates ranging between $50 and $95, depending on their specialization, with those coming from Big 4 backgrounds often earning $80 to $130 per hour during peak seasons. In specialized fields like forensic accounting, rates can soar to $300-$600 per hour for litigation support. The variance in hourly pay based on employer type is noteworthy; accountants at large firms typically see higher compensation than those at smaller CPA practices. While higher hourly rates might lack benefits such as healthcare or retirement contributions, some opt for these arrangements for flexibility. Negotiating rates can be key in St. Paul’s competitive market, so understanding local salary benchmarks and benefits can help accountants maximize their earnings, whether as traditional employees or in less conventional roles.
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for accountants in St. Paul. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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