Financial Advisor Pay

Bear vs Dover: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Bear, DE and Dover, DE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bear, DE
$105,780
$50.85/hr
Dover, DE
$106,058
$50.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBear, DEDover, DE
Median Salary$105,780$106,058
Hourly Rate$50.85$50.99
Entry Level (P10)$61,353$60,916
25th Percentile$76,162$80,657
75th Percentile$135,398$171,344
Top Earner (P90)$163,960$287,319
Total Employed670
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bear ($105,780) and Dover ($106,058) financial advisor salaries.BearDoverMedian Salary$105,780$106,058Entry Level (P10)$61,353$60,916Top Earner (P90)$163,960$287,319US Median $108,537

Verdict

Dover, DE offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bear.

The salary gap between Bear and Dover is $278 (0.26%). Dover's median is -2.28% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bear spans $102,607,Dover spans $226,403. Dover has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced financial advisors.

Bear
P10 (Entry)$61,353
P25$76,162
Median$105,780
P75$135,398
P90 (Top)$163,960
Dover
P10 (Entry)$60,916
P25$80,657
Median$106,058
P75$171,344
P90 (Top)$287,319

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dover ($108,770 effective) pays 4.57% more than Bear ($104,012 effective).

Bear
Nominal: $105,780
CoL Index: 101.7
Adjusted: $104,012
Dover
Nominal: $106,058
CoL Index: 97.507
Adjusted: $108,770

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bear if…

  • You prefer the Delaware area and lifestyle

Choose Dover if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,058/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($287,319)
  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,770)
  • You prefer the Delaware area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Bear grew -6.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -9.0% growth in Dover over the same period.

Bear, DE

+-6.2%

$109,155 (2024) → $102,401 (2025)

Dover, DE

+-9.0%

$112,878 (2024) → $102,670 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Bear or Dover?

Dover has a higher median financial advisor salary at $106,058/year, compared to Bear at $105,780/year — a difference of $278 (0.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bear and Dover?

Bear financial advisors earn $50.85/hr while Dover hygienists earn $50.99/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bear to Dover as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bear and Dover. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bear = $104,012, Dover = $108,770), job availability (6 vs 70 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Bear vs Dover?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $61,353 in Bear and $60,916 in Dover. The Bear area offers higher starting salaries.
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