Albuquerque vs Los Alamos: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)
Compare financial advisor salaries between Albuquerque, NM and Los Alamos, NM. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Los Alamos, NM |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $99,158▲ | $94,436 |
| Hourly Rate | $47.67▲ | $45.40 |
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,505▲ | $54,773 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,150▲ | $67,994 |
| 75th Percentile | $231,464▲ | $120,878 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $510,023▲ | $146,375 |
| Total Employed | 290▲ | 6 |
Verdict
Albuquerque, NM offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Alamos.
The salary gap between Albuquerque and Los Alamos is $4,722 (5.00%). Albuquerque's median is -8.64% compared to the US national median of $108,537.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Albuquerque spans $443,518,Los Alamos spans $91,602. Albuquerque has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Albuquerque ($103,780 effective) pays 3.74% more than Los Alamos ($100,038 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Albuquerque if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($99,158/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($510,023)
- ✓Larger job market (290 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,780)
- ✓You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle
Choose Los Alamos if…
- ✓You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Albuquerque grew 45.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 23.6% growth in Los Alamos over the same period.
Albuquerque, NM
$65,840 (2019) → $95,990 (2025)
Los Alamos, NM
$73,956 (2024) → $91,419 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Albuquerque, NM
Los Alamos, NM
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