Cottage Grove vs St. Cloud: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)
Compare financial advisor salaries between Cottage Grove, MN and St. Cloud, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Cottage Grove, MN | St. Cloud, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $83,988▲ | $80,088 |
| Hourly Rate | $40.38▲ | $38.50 |
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,713▲ | $48,644 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,472 | $60,720▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $107,504 | $125,107▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $130,182 | $243,199▲ |
| Total Employed | 8 | 190▲ |
Verdict
Cottage Grove and St. Cloud are closely matched on overall financial advisor compensation, each winning on different metrics.
The salary gap between Cottage Grove and St. Cloud is $3,900 (4.87%). Cottage Grove's median is -22.62% compared to the US national median of $108,537.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cottage Grove spans $81,469,St. Cloud spans $194,555. St. Cloud has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced financial advisors.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Cloud ($91,391 effective) pays 7.18% more than Cottage Grove ($85,267 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Cottage Grove if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($83,988/year)
- ✓You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle
Choose St. Cloud if…
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($243,199)
- ✓Larger job market (190 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $91,391)
- ✓You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Cottage Grove grew -22.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.7% growth in St. Cloud over the same period.
Cottage Grove, MN
$104,992 (2024) → $81,305 (2025)
St. Cloud, MN
$67,620 (2019) → $77,530 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Cottage Grove, MN
St. Cloud, MN
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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