Accountant Salary in St. Louis, MO: $80,939 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in St. Louis, MO earns a median $80,939/year (≈ $38.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in St. Louis's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.1), that paycheck buys what $85,120 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.4% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the accountant salary in St. Louis is projected to reach a median annual figure of $80,939, which is 5.74% lower than the national median of $85,864. For those entering the profession or still pursuing their CPA licenses, the salary range spans from $52,372 at the 10th percentile to $133,742 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from BLS OEWS surveys, reflecting a competitive market with growth potential. The significant jump in pay that comes with obtaining a CPA license is especially notable, as it helps unlock higher earnings when transitioning from staff to senior-level positions. Overall, St. Louis presents a job market with promising salary prospects for accountants.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,372 | $25.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,100 | $30.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,939 | $38.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,057 | $50.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,742 | $64.30 |
Median Salary Position
5.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Louis
In St. Louis, MO, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,370 (2026 est.). At $80,939, the local median is 5.74% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Louis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Louis Accountant Pay Compares
St. Louis median: $80,939/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Louis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $74,667 | +8.40% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | -5.74% less |
Accountants in St. Louis, MO earn a median of $80,939 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.74% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 8.40% above the Missouri state average of $74,667.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Louis has a cost of living 4.91% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Louis, MO has a cost-of-living index of 95.088 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $80,939 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,120 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,340
2025 BLS Actual
$78,880
2026 Current Est.
$80,939
2019–2027 Growth
+19.8%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in St. Louis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,939 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,051 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Louis metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 13.8% from $69,340 (2019) to $78,880 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,051 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,711 (19.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Louis 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) | $52,372 – $64,100 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,100 – $80,939 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,939 – $104,057 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,057 – $133,742 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in St. Louis
Job opportunities in St. Louis are robust, with approximately 13,610 accountants employed in the area. The cost of living index sits at 95.088, which is below the national average, suggesting that salaries provide reasonable purchasing power for residents. Among the various employers, Big 4 public accounting firms like Deloitte and PwC generally offer the highest compensation, followed closely by regional firms and corporate accounting departments. Several factors contribute to the disparity in accountant pay, including the CPA license, the tier of the accounting firm, specialized roles in tax and forensic accounting, and potential bonuses from industry-related controller positions. To enhance earning potential, aspiring professionals should consider pursuing advanced credentials, focusing on specialized niches, and strategizing for the busy-season work hours, which often yield overtime compensation.
More salary data for St. Louis, MO:
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 $78,880 for accountantsin the St. Louis 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