Financial Advisor Pay

Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in St. Louis Park, MN: $47,538 (2026)

Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the St. Louis Park, MN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $47,538 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out St. Louis Park's local price level (BEA RPP 98.51% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $48,262 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($81,961) within a few years of clinical practice.

$47,538
Starting Salary
$22.85/hr
Starting Hourly
$47,538
Entry Level
$81,961
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Financial Advisor Entry Level Salary in St. Louis Park, MN — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
St. Louis Park, MN financial advisor entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, new graduates entering the financial advisory field in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, can expect a starting financial advisor salary around $47,538. This figure represents the lower end of the salary spectrum for entry-level positions, which can reach up to $81,961 for the city's median annual earnings. The gap between starting salaries and the median reflects a growth trajectory that potential advisors can anticipate as they progress in their careers. Over the first three to five years, it's realistic to expect a gradual increase in pay, moving from the entry-level threshold towards higher earning brackets like the $59,012 benchmark or even approaching the median salary as experience accumulates. Given the current market dynamics in St. Louis Park, it is an opportune time for new graduates to pursue careers in this sector as firms continue to seek fresh talent.

About the St. Louis Park Market

Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in St. Louis Park

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$47,538/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$59,012/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$81,961/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$104,910/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Louis Park

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for financial advisors in St. Louis Park. The median salary is $81,961, compared to the national median of $108,537.$42.8K$65.4K$88.1K$110.7K$133.4K$47.5K10th Pctl$59.0K25th Pctl$82.0KMedian$104.9K75th Pctl$127.0K90th PctlUS Median$108.5K

Entry-level financial advisors in St. Louis Park, MN typically start between $47,538 and $59,012 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $79,502 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $81,96124.49% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of financial advisor pay in the St. Louis Park metro area.

Return on Investment

$52,000
Avg MN Program Cost
$47,538
Starting Salary
109.39%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
1.1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average financial planning program cost in Minnesota of $52,000 represents just 109.39% of the starting financial advisor pay ($47,538/year) in St. Louis Park. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.

Program cost estimates cover bachelor's degree tuition plus licensing exam fees (Series 7, 63/66) and optional CFP certification program costs. Continuing education is required for license maintenance.

CFP, FA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in St. Louis Park

  • 1Research the St. Louis Park market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $47,538 to $59,012, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
  • 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the financial planning field — employers in MN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in St. Louis Park, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
  • 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in St. Louis Park for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5St. Louis Park's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.

Financial Advisor Compensation Range

The financial advisor wage spread in St. Louis Park is $79,502 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $47,538, experienced hygienists can earn up to $127,040.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$39,381

2025 BLS Actual

$46,019

2026 Current Est.

$47,538

2019–2027 Growth

+24.7%

Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in St. Louis Park (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for financial advisors in St. Louis Park. Baseline $39,381 in 2025, projected to $49,106 by 2027.$35.4K$42.4K$49.4K$56.4K$63.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$39.4K$40.4K$43.6K$42.8K$44.7K$59.4K$46.0K$47.5K$49.1K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$39,381Actual
2020$40,435Actual
2021$43,617Actual
2022$42,819Actual
2023$44,680Actual
2024$59,426Actual
2025$46,019Actual
2026(current)$47,538Estimated
2027$49,106Projected

Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in St. Louis Park, MN grew 16.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $39,381 in 2019 to $46,019 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $49,106. New graduates entering the St. Louis Park job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Louis Park metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.30% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.

Starting Your financial planning Career in St. Louis Park

For those eager to begin their careers, several employers in St. Louis Park actively recruit entry-level financial advisors, especially firms like Northwestern Mutual, Edward Jones, and MassMutual, which have structured onboarding programs for new advisors. These organizations often include ramp-up periods with bonuses to commissions that enhance starting financial advisor pay in MN. Additionally, Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) tend to offer associate advisor roles to candidates holding CFP credentials, aligning them with the fast-growing fee-only fiduciary model. Earning potential can be significantly improved by acquiring credentials such as the Series 7 and Series 66 licenses or pursuing advanced designations like CFP or CFA. In the first few years, entry-level advisors will find that engaging in ongoing education and professional networking will be vital strategies for career advancement in a bifurcating industry that increasingly values fiduciary responsibility over commission-based models.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for financial advisors in St. Louis Park in 2026?

Entry-level financial advisors in St. Louis Park start at approximately $47,538/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.30% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $22.85/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do financial advisor salaries grow in St. Louis Park?

Most financial advisors in St. Louis Park progress from the entry-level salary of $47,538 to the area median of $81,961 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $127,040 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is financial planning school worth it in St. Louis Park?

With a starting salary of $47,538/year in St. Louis Park and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new financial advisors recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new financial advisors make right out of school in St. Louis Park?

New financial planning graduates in St. Louis Park typically start near the 10th percentile at $47,538/year, or approximately $22.85/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a financial advisor in Minnesota?

To become a licensed financial advisor in Minnesota, you typically need bachelor's degree typically required (finance, economics, accounting, or business). career credentials: series 7 + series 65 or 66 (finra exams) for licensed advisors; cfp (certified financial planner) for fee-based planning; cfa (chartered financial analyst) for investment-focused work; chfc for insurance-focused. most paths require 2-3 years of supervised experience plus exam pass., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Minnesota, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some financial advisors pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Minnesota

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

Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new financial planning graduates. A 3.30% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in St. Louis Park. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for St. Louis Park is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.30%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for financial advisors (SOC 13-2052).

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

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