Average salary in Minnesota

The Land of 10,000 Lakes may not have the same glamour and fame as California, but Minnesota is a great place to live and work, with a strong economy and diverse industries. Whether you are a resident or considering a move to Minnesota, understanding the financial landscape can help you make informed decisions.

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Minnesota has a cost of living index of 101.6, just slightly above the national average of 100. This means that while some areas may be more expensive than others, overall the cost of living in Minnesota is relatively affordable. But which cities and counties offer the highest average salaries?

Average salary in Minnesota by city

City living is often more expensive than living in more rural areas, but it’s also where the money is. Minnesota’s own cities can vary massively in average salary; cities like Woodbury and Eden Prairie command upwards of $90,000, while Duluth’s average sits below $45,000.

Average earnings by city—or any other geographical metric—is just one way of calculating wealth, and certainly shouldn’t be the only way you look at your own earning potential in a given place. It doesn’t take into account the type of jobs that people do to earn above or below this average bracket, and omits any consideration for the number of people living in a household. However, it’s certainly one way of establishing which place offers good earning opportunities.

The US Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey has calculated the average earnings for the largest cities in Minnesota, which you can find ranked below.

Average salary in Minnesota by county

Reviewing average salaries in Minnesota by city is not necessarily an adequate metric for average salaries across the state, since it’s entirely urban focused. A good idea is to weigh these figures up against the average salary in Minnesota by county, as this will take areas outside the main cities into account and offer a broader idea of salary ranges.

The same survey from the US Census Bureau gives further insight this way, with the average household income calculated for each county.

Highest paying jobs in Minnesota

There’s another weighty factor that will influence how much you earn if you live in Minnesota: your job type. Average salaries for various sectors and job roles can vary massively across the state, so it’s absolutely something to consider when looking at salaries by location.

Zippia has calculated a comprehensive list of annual salaries by occupation area, which you can also find below.

Frequently asked questions about salaries in Minnesota

What is the average salary in Minnesota by age?
Alongside location and occupation, salaries in Minnesota are also dependent on age, since more senior workers will be paid more. Then, when they retire, their income will dip again as they will rely on pensions and other forms of set income.

According to the Census Bureau data, householders under 25 in Minnesota have a median income of $37,222; householders aged 25 to 44 years old have a median income of $68,128; those aged 45 to 64 years old have a median income of $78,643; and those 65 and older have a median income of $50,237.

What is a ‘good’ salary in Minnesota?
The median income in Minnesota is $56,400. Defining ‘good’ relies on all sorts of variable factors and these should be taken into account.

What is the average salary in Minnesota by hour?
If Americans work an average of 1,801 hours per year—at 37.5 hours a week—then the average hourly salary in Minnesota is $27.12.

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