Financial Advisor Pay

Rochester vs Winona: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Rochester, MN and Winona, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Rochester, MN
$98,424
$47.32/hr
Winona, MN
$80,647
$38.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRochester, MNWinona, MN
Median Salary$98,424$80,647
Hourly Rate$47.32$38.77
Entry Level (P10)$46,878$46,775
25th Percentile$63,963$58,066
75th Percentile$209,472$103,229
Top Earner (P90)$305,489$125,003
Total Employed1104
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rochester ($98,424) and Winona ($80,647) financial advisor salaries.RochesterWinonaMedian Salary$98,424$80,647Entry Level (P10)$46,878$46,775Top Earner (P90)$305,489$125,003US Median $108,537

Verdict

Rochester, MN offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Winona.

The salary gap between Rochester and Winona is $17,777 (22.04%). Rochester's median is -9.32% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Rochester spans $258,611,Winona spans $78,228. Rochester has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Rochester
P10 (Entry)$46,878
P25$63,963
Median$98,424
P75$209,472
P90 (Top)$305,489
Winona
P10 (Entry)$46,775
P25$58,066
Median$80,647
P75$103,229
P90 (Top)$125,003

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($108,371 effective) pays 32.36% more than Winona ($81,875 effective).

Rochester
Nominal: $98,424
CoL Index: 90.821
Adjusted: $108,371
Winona
Nominal: $80,647
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $81,875

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Rochester if…

  • Higher median salary ($98,424/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($305,489)
  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,371)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Winona if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Rochester grew 22.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -22.6% growth in Winona over the same period.

Rochester, MN

+22.4%

$77,860 (2019) → $95,280 (2025)

Winona, MN

+-22.6%

$100,815 (2024) → $78,071 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Rochester or Winona?

Rochester has a higher median financial advisor salary at $98,424/year, compared to Winona at $80,647/year — a difference of $17,777 (22.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rochester and Winona?

Rochester financial advisors earn $47.32/hr while Winona hygienists earn $38.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Rochester to Winona as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rochester and Winona. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rochester = $108,371, Winona = $81,875), job availability (110 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Rochester vs Winona?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $46,878 in Rochester and $46,775 in Winona. The Rochester 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