Salary & Cost of Living in Saint Paul, MN
Saint Paul, MN: $47,264 median salary, cost of living index 101.5, $10.85/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$47,264
$23/hr
Cost of Living
101.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$10.85
per hour
Unemployment
2.9%
rate
Saint Paul, MN Overview
Population
311,527
Median Salary
$47,264
Average Salary
$52,936
Avg Commute
22 min
Median Home Price
$265,000
Median Rent
$1,216/mo
Job Growth
+1.9%
Sales Tax
6.875%
Saint Paul is located in Minnesota with a population of 311,527. The median household salary is $47,264 per year ($23/hour), which is $12,120 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 22 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.9%.
Saint Paul Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Saint Paul, MN based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $47,264 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $29,304 | $14.09/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $47,264 | $22.72/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $67,115 | $32.26/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $84,130 | $40.44/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Saint Paul Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Saint Paul, MN, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$36,305
$3,025.41/month · $1,396.34/biweekly · Effective Rate: 23.2%
Gross Pay
$47,264
Federal Tax
-$3,633
State Tax
-$3,710
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,616
Net Pay
$36,305
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,938.67 | $47,264.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$302.77 | -$3,633.18 |
| Minnesota State Tax (7.85%) | -$309.19 | -$3,710.22 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$244.20 | -$2,930.37 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$57.11 | -$685.33 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,025.41 | $36,304.90 |
Salary Comparison: Saint Paul vs Other Cities
See how Saint Paul's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Paul, MN | $47,264 | 101.5 | $46,566 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Catalina Foothills, AZ | $47,259 | 109.8 | $43,041 |
| Country Club, FL | $47,259 | 106.3 | $44,458 |
| Mishawaka, IN | $47,257 | 83.9 | $56,325 |
| Mooresville, NC | $47,255 | 84.7 | $55,791 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Saint Paul
Saint Paul's cost of living index is 101.5 (national average = 100). Living in Saint Paul is 1.5% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$265,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,216
Annual Rent Cost
$14,592
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $36,305 annual take-home pay in Saint Paul has the purchasing power of approximately $35,768 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $47,973 in Saint Paul to match a $47,264 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Saint Paul
Saint Paul's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $47,264.
Salary Tips for Saint Paul Workers
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 7.85% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Saint Paul's top industries include Healthcare, Finance, Manufacturing. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $47,264 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Saint Paul salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Saint Paul-MN metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Saint Paul indexed at 101.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Saint Paul's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $47,264 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Minnesota state income tax (7.85%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6.875%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Saint Paul: 2.9%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Healthcare, Finance, Manufacturing — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.9% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Minnesota.
- Housing context: median home price $265,000, median rent $1,216/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Saint Paul, MN:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Saint Paul unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Saint Paul QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Minnesota — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Saint Paul's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Minnesota labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Saint Paul, MN?
The median salary in Saint Paul, MN is $47,264 per year, or $23 per hour. The average salary is $52,936. This is $12,120 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Saint Paul, MN?
Saint Paul's cost of living index is 101.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 1.5% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $265,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,216.
What are the best industries in Saint Paul?
The top industries in Saint Paul, MN include Healthcare, Finance, Manufacturing. The city has a job growth rate of 1.9% and an unemployment rate of 2.9%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $47,264.
How does Saint Paul's salary compare to other cities?
Saint Paul's median salary of $47,264 is 20.4% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 101.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $46,566.
What is the minimum wage in Saint Paul, MN?
The minimum wage in Saint Paul, MN is $10.85 per hour. This equals approximately $22,568 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $3.60 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.