Financial Advisor Pay

Allentown vs Lancaster: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Allentown, PA and Lancaster, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Allentown, PA
$126,460
$60.79/hr
Lancaster, PA
$103,104
$49.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAllentown, PALancaster, PA
Median Salary$126,460$103,104
Hourly Rate$60.79$49.57
Entry Level (P10)$66,804$58,148
25th Percentile$79,066$75,554
75th Percentile$231,289$167,997
Top Earner (P90)$479,963$403,758
Total Employed420360
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Allentown ($126,460) and Lancaster ($103,104) financial advisor salaries.AllentownLancasterMedian Salary$126,460$103,104Entry Level (P10)$66,804$58,148Top Earner (P90)$479,963$403,758US Median $108,537

Verdict

Allentown, PA offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lancaster.

The salary gap between Allentown and Lancaster is $23,356 (22.65%). Allentown's median is +16.51% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Allentown spans $413,159,Lancaster spans $345,610. Allentown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Allentown
P10 (Entry)$66,804
P25$79,066
Median$126,460
P75$231,289
P90 (Top)$479,963
Lancaster
P10 (Entry)$58,148
P25$75,554
Median$103,104
P75$167,997
P90 (Top)$403,758

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Allentown ($126,500 effective) pays 20.55% more than Lancaster ($104,933 effective).

Allentown
Nominal: $126,460
CoL Index: 99.968
Adjusted: $126,500
Lancaster
Nominal: $103,104
CoL Index: 98.257
Adjusted: $104,933

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Allentown if…

  • Higher median salary ($126,460/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($479,963)
  • Larger job market (420 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $126,500)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Lancaster if…

  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Allentown grew 16.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 5.8% growth in Lancaster over the same period.

Allentown, PA

+16.1%

$105,460 (2019) → $122,420 (2025)

Lancaster, PA

+5.8%

$94,360 (2019) → $99,810 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Allentown or Lancaster?

Allentown has a higher median financial advisor salary at $126,460/year, compared to Lancaster at $103,104/year — a difference of $23,356 (22.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Allentown and Lancaster?

Allentown financial advisors earn $60.79/hr while Lancaster hygienists earn $49.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Allentown to Lancaster as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Allentown and Lancaster. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Allentown = $126,500, Lancaster = $104,933), job availability (420 vs 360 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Allentown vs Lancaster?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $66,804 in Allentown and $58,148 in Lancaster. The Allentown 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