Financial Advisor Pay

Duluth vs St. Cloud: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Duluth, MN and St. Cloud, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duluth, MN
$83,136
$39.97/hr
St. Cloud, MN
$80,088
$38.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNSt. Cloud, MN
Median Salary$83,136$80,088
Hourly Rate$39.97$38.50
Entry Level (P10)$45,070$48,644
25th Percentile$64,779$60,720
75th Percentile$160,208$125,107
Top Earner (P90)$336,789$243,199
Total Employed110190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($83,136) and St. Cloud ($80,088) financial advisor salaries.DuluthSt. CloudMedian Salary$83,136$80,088Entry Level (P10)$45,070$48,644Top Earner (P90)$336,789$243,199US Median $108,537

Verdict

Duluth, MN offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to St. Cloud.

The salary gap between Duluth and St. Cloud is $3,048 (3.81%). Duluth's median is -23.40% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $291,719,St. Cloud spans $194,555. Duluth has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$45,070
P25$64,779
Median$83,136
P75$160,208
P90 (Top)$336,789
St. Cloud
P10 (Entry)$48,644
P25$60,720
Median$80,088
P75$125,107
P90 (Top)$243,199

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($93,655 effective) pays 2.48% more than St. Cloud ($91,391 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $83,136
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $93,655
St. Cloud
Nominal: $80,088
CoL Index: 87.632
Adjusted: $91,391

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,136/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($336,789)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $93,655)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Cloud if…

  • Larger job market (190 employed)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Duluth grew -4.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.7% growth in St. Cloud over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+-4.4%

$84,220 (2019) → $80,480 (2025)

St. Cloud, MN

+14.7%

$67,620 (2019) → $77,530 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Duluth or St. Cloud?

Duluth has a higher median financial advisor salary at $83,136/year, compared to St. Cloud at $80,088/year — a difference of $3,048 (3.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and St. Cloud?

Duluth financial advisors earn $39.97/hr while St. Cloud hygienists earn $38.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to St. Cloud as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and St. Cloud. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $93,655, St. Cloud = $91,391), job availability (110 vs 190 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Duluth vs St. Cloud?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $45,070 in Duluth and $48,644 in St. Cloud. The St. Cloud area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, CFP

Career Analyst

Jordan has over 10 years of experience in financial planning. They specialize in retirement planning for individuals. They work at a financial services firm in New York City.

Clinically reviewed by Sophia Martinez, CFAData verified by Ethan Wang, ChFC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.30% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CFP, a licensed financial advisor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov