Cost of hiring an accountant in St. Louis, MO-IL
For this job St. Louis sits between the state and national figures, with a median of $78,880 a year[1]. That is 3.0% above the Missouri statewide median of $76,590, and 5.7% below the US median of $83,680. Nationally it ranks #165 of 521 areas. With about 13,610 accountants, no area in Missouri employs more.
BLS occupation 13-2011, area St. Louis, MO-IL. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in St. Louis against Missouri and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $51,040 | $78,880 | $130,340 | |
| Missouri | $49,290 | $76,590 | $128,300 | |
| United States | $56,020 | $83,680 | $144,090 |
Accountants at the 90th percentile earn $130,340, 2.6 times the 10th percentile; the US ratio is 2.6. The middle half of accountants in St. Louis earns $62,470–$101,410. The mean ($86,560) is 10% over the median, so a group of high earners pulls the average up; price a typical hire from the median.
What to budget for an accountant here
| Point in the local range | Per year | Per month | Per hour | Employer cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $51,040 | $4,253 | $24.54 | $72,914 |
| 25th percentile | $62,470 | $5,206 | $30.03 | $89,243 |
| Median | $78,880 | $6,573 | $37.92 | $112,686 |
| 75th percentile | $101,410 | $8,451 | $48.75 | $144,871 |
| 90th percentile | $130,340 | $10,862 | $62.66 | $186,200 |
The step from the 25th percentile to the median is $16,410 a year; from the median to the 75th it is $22,530, or about $32,186 once benefits are added. These percentiles describe what people in the job earn locally, not experience levels, so place your offer by the tasks and seniority you need.
What a hire really costs in St. Louis
At the $78,880 median, a local hire costs about $112,686 a year: benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], about $33,806 here. Recruiting, equipment and office space come on top. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for accountants we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Other roles in St. Louis
Of the 17 roles we track in St. Louis, this one ranks #2 by median pay. Project Coordinator is the highest at $100,510 and Virtual Receptionist the lowest at $36,470.
| Role | Median | vs accountant | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +27.4% | 10,450 | |
| Accountant | this role | 13,610 | |
| Marketing Specialist | -6.0% | 6,980 | |
| Recruiter | -9.1% | 8,130 | |
| Office Manager | -13.0% | 9,840 | |
| Executive Assistant | -19.5% | 3,990 | |
| Paralegal | -21.4% | 4,030 | |
| Sales Development Representative | -22.8% | 7,750 | |
| Payroll Specialist | -25.0% | 1,530 | |
| Bookkeeper | -36.7% | 9,950 | |
| HR Assistant | -39.2% | 490 | |
| Administrative Assistant | -41.4% | 15,000 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -41.9% | 23,760 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -42.2% | 6,570 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | -42.8% | 450 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -50.4% | 910 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -53.8% | 8,700 |
Other areas in Missouri
Across the 12 areas of Missouri with data for this job, the median runs from $62,490 in the Southwest Missouri nonmetro area to $80,040 in Kansas City, a gap of $17,550 a year.
| Area | Median | vs St. Louis | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | +1.5% | 11,260 | |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | this area | 13,610 | |
| Columbia, MO | -7.4% | 930 | |
| Springfield, MO | -7.4% | 2,070 | |
| Joplin, MO-KS | -8.0% | 560 | |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | -14.5% | 340 | |
| Central Missouri (Nonmetro) | -16.3% | 780 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire an accountant in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About $112,686 a year at the median, or $9,390 a month: $78,880 in pay plus benefits and payroll taxes at the 30% share of total compensation in US private industry (June 2026). Recruiting, equipment and office space are extra.
What do accountants earn in St. Louis?
The median was $78,880 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $51,040, the 90th $130,340, and the middle half earned $62,470 to $101,410.
Is St. Louis cheaper than the rest of Missouri for accountants?
No, it costs more: a median of $78,880 against $76,590 statewide. Kansas City pays the most ($80,040) and the Southwest Missouri nonmetro area the least ($62,490).
How many accountants work in St. Louis?
BLS counts about 13,610 in the May 2025 survey.
Does an accountant cost more than a marketing specialist in St. Louis?
Yes: $4,750 a year more at the median. The medians are $78,880 and $74,130.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 13-2011: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132011.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-06.