Financial Advisor Pay

Bismarck vs Dickinson: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Bismarck, ND and Dickinson, ND. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bismarck, ND
$78,539
$37.76/hr
Dickinson, ND
$97,637
$46.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBismarck, NDDickinson, ND
Median Salary$78,539$97,637
Hourly Rate$37.76$46.94
Entry Level (P10)$59,232$56,629
25th Percentile$66,195$70,299
75th Percentile$103,847$124,975
Top Earner (P90)$133,102$151,338
Total Employed1304
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bismarck ($78,539) and Dickinson ($97,637) financial advisor salaries.BismarckDickinsonMedian Salary$78,539$97,637Entry Level (P10)$59,232$56,629Top Earner (P90)$133,102$151,338US Median $108,537

Verdict

Dickinson, ND offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Bismarck.

The salary gap between Bismarck and Dickinson is $19,098 (24.32%). Dickinson's median is -10.04% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bismarck spans $73,870,Dickinson spans $94,709. Dickinson has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced financial advisors.

Bismarck
P10 (Entry)$59,232
P25$66,195
Median$78,539
P75$103,847
P90 (Top)$133,102
Dickinson
P10 (Entry)$56,629
P25$70,299
Median$97,637
P75$124,975
P90 (Top)$151,338

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dickinson ($106,127 effective) pays 23.00% more than Bismarck ($86,284 effective).

Bismarck
Nominal: $78,539
CoL Index: 91.024
Adjusted: $86,284
Dickinson
Nominal: $97,637
CoL Index: 92
Adjusted: $106,127

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bismarck if…

  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • You prefer the North Dakota area and lifestyle

Choose Dickinson if…

  • Higher median salary ($97,637/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($151,338)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,127)
  • You prefer the North Dakota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Bismarck grew 8.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.4% growth in Dickinson over the same period.

Bismarck, ND

+8.8%

$69,900 (2019) → $76,030 (2025)

Dickinson, ND

+19.4%

$79,163 (2024) → $94,518 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Bismarck or Dickinson?

Dickinson has a higher median financial advisor salary at $97,637/year, compared to Bismarck at $78,539/year — a difference of $19,098 (24.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bismarck and Dickinson?

Bismarck financial advisors earn $37.76/hr while Dickinson hygienists earn $46.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bismarck to Dickinson as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bismarck and Dickinson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bismarck = $86,284, Dickinson = $106,127), job availability (130 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Bismarck vs Dickinson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $59,232 in Bismarck and $56,629 in Dickinson. The Bismarck 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