Birmingham vs Huntsville: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)
Compare financial advisor salaries between Birmingham, AL and Huntsville, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Huntsville, AL |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $82,103 | $87,846▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $39.47 | $42.23▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,936 | $45,783▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $48,809 | $61,556▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $164,051▲ | $140,323 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $349,195 | $353,555▲ |
| Total Employed | 1,190▲ | 290 |
Verdict
Huntsville, AL offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Birmingham.
The salary gap between Birmingham and Huntsville is $5,743 (6.99%). Huntsville's median is -19.06% compared to the US national median of $108,537.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Birmingham spans $309,259,Huntsville spans $307,772. Birmingham 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, Huntsville ($94,385 effective) pays 5.35% more than Birmingham ($89,589 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Birmingham if…
- ✓Larger job market (1,190 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle
Choose Huntsville if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($87,846/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($353,555)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $94,385)
- ✓You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Birmingham grew -15.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 55.7% growth in Huntsville over the same period.
Birmingham, AL
$94,200 (2019) → $79,480 (2025)
Huntsville, AL
$54,610 (2019) → $85,040 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Birmingham, AL
Huntsville, AL
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays financial advisors more: Birmingham or Huntsville?
What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Huntsville?
Should I relocate from Birmingham to Huntsville as a financial advisor?
What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Birmingham vs Huntsville?
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