Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Minneapolis, MN: $49,088 (2026)
Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Minneapolis, MN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $49,088 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Minneapolis's local price level (BEA RPP 104.8 — 5% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $46,830 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($106,823) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Aspiring financial advisors entering the Minneapolis job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $49,088, significantly lower than the city’s overall median of $106,823. This gap highlights the typical growth trajectory new graduates can experience as they gain experience and clients. Over the first few years, it is realistic for new financial advisors to progress towards the 25th percentile salary of $78,353, with dedicated effort toward client acquisition and professional development. Given Minneapolis's robust economy and demand for financial services, the current environment is favorable for new entrants to establish their careers in this field.
Career Earnings Timeline in Minneapolis
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Minneapolis
Entry-level financial advisors in Minneapolis, MN typically start between $49,088 and $78,353 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $279,819 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $106,823 — 1.58% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average financial planning program cost in Minnesota of $52,000 represents just 105.93% of the starting financial advisor pay ($49,088/year) in Minneapolis. 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 Minneapolis
- 1Research the Minneapolis market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $49,088 to $78,353, 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 Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Minneapolis'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 Minneapolis is $279,819 ( 570.04%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $49,088, experienced hygienists can earn up to $328,907.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,980
2025 BLS Actual
$47,520
2026 Current Est.
$49,088
2019–2027 Growth
+10.3%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Minneapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,088 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,708 | Projected |
Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Minneapolis, MN grew 3.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $45,980 in 2019 to $47,520 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $50,708. New graduates entering the Minneapolis job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minneapolis metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 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 Minneapolis
In Minneapolis, numerous firms actively seek new financial advisors, including well-established insurance agencies like Northwestern Mutual and Edward Jones, which often provide structured training and bonus incentives for recruits. Wirehouses may hire through training programs, although these structures have recently scaled back. Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) represent the fastest-growing sector, hiring associate advisors from candidates with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. New graduates can enhance their career trajectories by obtaining essential licenses, such as the Series 7 and Series 66, while pursuing additional credentials like the CFP or CFA. In this evolving marketplace, where commission-based models are increasingly challenged by fee-only structures, new advisors should aim to build substantial client relationships to realize realistic salary growth in their first three years, ultimately reaching competitive compensation levels as they advance in their careers.
More salary data for Minneapolis, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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
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 Minneapolis. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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