Financial Advisor Pay

Augusta vs Gainesville: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Augusta, GA and Gainesville, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Augusta, GA
$96,307
$46.30/hr
Gainesville, GA
$115,107
$55.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GAGainesville, GA
Median Salary$96,307$115,107
Hourly Rate$46.30$55.34
Entry Level (P10)$48,055$42,405
25th Percentile$63,901$61,381
75th Percentile$200,185$202,261
Top Earner (P90)$450,212$336,138
Total Employed19060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($96,307) and Gainesville ($115,107) financial advisor salaries.AugustaGainesvilleMedian Salary$96,307$115,107Entry Level (P10)$48,055$42,405Top Earner (P90)$450,212$336,138US Median $108,537

Verdict

Augusta and Gainesville are closely matched on overall financial advisor compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Augusta and Gainesville is $18,800 (19.52%). Gainesville's median is +6.05% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $402,157,Gainesville spans $293,733. Augusta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$48,055
P25$63,901
Median$96,307
P75$200,185
P90 (Top)$450,212
Gainesville
P10 (Entry)$42,405
P25$61,381
Median$115,107
P75$202,261
P90 (Top)$336,138

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gainesville ($118,954 effective) pays 13.51% more than Augusta ($104,792 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $96,307
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $104,792
Gainesville
Nominal: $115,107
CoL Index: 96.766
Adjusted: $118,954

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($450,212)
  • Larger job market (190 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Gainesville if…

  • Higher median salary ($115,107/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $118,954)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Augusta grew 5.1% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 43.9% growth in Gainesville over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+5.1%

$88,690 (2021) → $93,230 (2025)

Gainesville, GA

+43.9%

$77,440 (2021) → $111,430 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Augusta or Gainesville?

Gainesville has a higher median financial advisor salary at $115,107/year, compared to Augusta at $96,307/year — a difference of $18,800 (19.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Gainesville?

Augusta financial advisors earn $46.30/hr while Gainesville hygienists earn $55.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Gainesville as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Gainesville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $104,792, Gainesville = $118,954), job availability (190 vs 60 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Augusta vs Gainesville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $48,055 in Augusta and $42,405 in Gainesville. The Augusta 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