Financial Advisor Pay

Austin vs Sugar Land: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Austin, TX and Sugar Land, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Austin, TX
$99,158
$47.67/hr
Sugar Land, TX
$86,434
$41.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXSugar Land, TX
Median Salary$99,158$86,434
Hourly Rate$47.67$41.56
Entry Level (P10)$54,284$50,131
25th Percentile$80,429$62,233
75th Percentile$223,014$110,635
Top Earner (P90)$424,150$133,973
Total Employed2,01021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($99,158) and Sugar Land ($86,434) financial advisor salaries.AustinSugar LandMedian Salary$99,158$86,434Entry Level (P10)$54,284$50,131Top Earner (P90)$424,150$133,973US Median $108,537

Verdict

Austin, TX offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sugar Land.

The salary gap between Austin and Sugar Land is $12,724 (14.72%). Austin'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 Austin spans $369,866,Sugar Land spans $83,842. Austin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Austin
P10 (Entry)$54,284
P25$80,429
Median$99,158
P75$223,014
P90 (Top)$424,150
Sugar Land
P10 (Entry)$50,131
P25$62,233
Median$86,434
P75$110,635
P90 (Top)$133,973

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($101,114 effective) pays 12.30% more than Sugar Land ($90,035 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $99,158
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $101,114
Sugar Land
Nominal: $86,434
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $90,035

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Austin if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,158/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($424,150)
  • Larger job market (2,010 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,114)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Sugar Land if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Austin grew 38.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -22.0% growth in Sugar Land over the same period.

Austin, TX

+38.3%

$69,390 (2019) → $95,990 (2025)

Sugar Land, TX

+-22.0%

$107,210 (2024) → $83,673 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Austin or Sugar Land?

Austin has a higher median financial advisor salary at $99,158/year, compared to Sugar Land at $86,434/year — a difference of $12,724 (14.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and Sugar Land?

Austin financial advisors earn $47.67/hr while Sugar Land hygienists earn $41.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austin to Sugar Land as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and Sugar Land. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $101,114, Sugar Land = $90,035), job availability (2,010 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Austin vs Sugar Land?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $54,284 in Austin and $50,131 in Sugar Land. The Austin 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