Accountant Salary in St. Cloud, MN: $79,748 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in St. Cloud, MN earns a median $79,748/year (≈ $38.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in St. Cloud's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.6), that paycheck buys what $91,003 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Cloud, Minnesota, the 2026 median annual salary for accountants is projected to be $79,748, marking a notable step in compensation compared to national figures. The salary range spans from $54,814 at the entry level to $128,057 for those at the higher end of the market spectrum, illustrating significant potential for growth as professionals advance their careers. These figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, reflect the realities of accountant pay in St. Cloud MN, particularly the benefits of obtaining a CPA license. Achieving this credential can substantially increase earning potential, especially for those advancing from entry-level to senior positions within firms.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,814 | $26.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,927 | $31.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,748 | $38.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,372 | $47.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,057 | $61.57 |
Median Salary Position
7.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Cloud
In St. Cloud, MN, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,243 (2026 est.). At $79,748, the local median is 7.12% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Cloud: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Cloud Accountant Pay Compares
St. Cloud median: $79,748/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Cloud Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $85,864 | -7.12% less |
Accountants in St. Cloud, MN earn a median of $79,748 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.12% lower than the national median of $85,864.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Cloud has a cost of living 12.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Cloud, MN has a cost-of-living index of 87.632 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $79,748 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,003 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.11% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,350
2025 BLS Actual
$77,720
2026 Current Est.
$79,748
2019–2027 Growth
+27.2%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,250 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,748 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,830 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Cloud metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 20.8% from $64,350 (2019) to $77,720 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,830 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,480 (27.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Cloud 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) | $54,814 – $65,927 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,927 – $79,748 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,748 – $98,372 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,372 – $128,057 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in St. Cloud
Looking deeper into the local accounting job market, St. Cloud has approximately 800 accountants, creating a vital community that caters to various sectors. With a cost of living index at 87.632, professionals in this area enjoy a relatively favorable purchasing power, allowing them to retain a higher percentage of their earnings compared to the national average. The highest salaries are typically found in Big 4 firms like Deloitte and PwC, while mid-tier CPA firms also provide competitive compensation. Numerous factors contribute to the disparity in salaries, including the impact of the CPA license, which helps narrow the wage gap between entry-level and senior roles. Additionally, specialization in areas such as tax or forensic accounting can attract premium pay. For accountants aiming to maximize their salary in St. Cloud, seeking roles in public firms and considering early career transitions to industry positions can be effective strategies.
More salary data for St. Cloud, 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 $77,720 for accountantsin the St. Cloud 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