Salaries in Bloomington, MN

Here’s a counterintuitive truth about Bloomington: for a city that’s home to the Mall of America and a stone’s throw from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, its job market feels more like a well-kept suburban secret than a frantic hub. The unemployment rate is a razor-thin 2.8%, but you’d never know it from the relaxed vibe.

Let’s talk purchasing power. With a cost of living index of 104.5, you’re paying about 4.5% more than the U.S. average for groceries, utilities, and rent. A one-bedroom apartment runs you $1,327 a month. That makes Bloomington a slight premium, but it’s not a wallet-buster. The median household income sits at $86,206, which means a typical family isn’t just getting by—they’re doing okay. You’re not getting San Francisco prices for a Minneapolis-style salary; it’s a more balanced equation.

Who thrives here? The economy is anchored by the retail and hospitality giants at the MOA, but the real money is in the corporate and healthcare sectors. You’ll find major operational hubs for companies like Coca-Cola and a strong medical presence. It’s a city where a marketing manager or a software developer can pull in a six-figure salary without the brutal competition of a coastal tech monoculture. The 45.6% of residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher points to a skilled, stable workforce.

Here’s my honest take: wages are solid, but are they keeping pace? The COL-adjusted average salary is $67,365, which feels respectable for the Midwest. This city works best for established professionals in high-demand fields, not for someone trying to break in at entry-level. It’s a place for financial stability, not necessarily explosive wealth growth.

The numbers below will show you exactly which roles command the highest premiums here and what your paycheck might actually look like after the rent is paid.