Financial Advisor Pay

Charlottesville vs Suffolk: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Charlottesville, VA and Suffolk, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charlottesville, VA
$131,129
$63.04/hr
Suffolk, VA
$92,091
$44.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlottesville, VASuffolk, VA
Median Salary$131,129$92,091
Hourly Rate$63.04$44.27
Entry Level (P10)$57,497$53,412
25th Percentile$82,764$66,305
75th Percentile$222,519$117,877
Top Earner (P90)$438,323$142,741
Total Employed20015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlottesville ($131,129) and Suffolk ($92,091) financial advisor salaries.CharlottesvilleSuffolkMedian Salary$131,129$92,091Entry Level (P10)$57,497$53,412Top Earner (P90)$438,323$142,741US Median $108,537

Verdict

Charlottesville, VA offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Suffolk.

The salary gap between Charlottesville and Suffolk is $39,038 (42.39%). Charlottesville's median is +20.82% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlottesville spans $380,826,Suffolk spans $89,329. Charlottesville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charlottesville
P10 (Entry)$57,497
P25$82,764
Median$131,129
P75$222,519
P90 (Top)$438,323
Suffolk
P10 (Entry)$53,412
P25$66,305
Median$92,091
P75$117,877
P90 (Top)$142,741

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlottesville ($132,258 effective) pays 48.21% more than Suffolk ($89,235 effective).

Charlottesville
Nominal: $131,129
CoL Index: 99.146
Adjusted: $132,258
Suffolk
Nominal: $92,091
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $89,235

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlottesville if…

  • Higher median salary ($131,129/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($438,323)
  • Larger job market (200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $132,258)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Suffolk if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Charlottesville grew 14.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -25.5% growth in Suffolk over the same period.

Charlottesville, VA

+14.5%

$110,910 (2019) → $126,940 (2025)

Suffolk, VA

+-25.5%

$119,734 (2024) → $89,149 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Charlottesville or Suffolk?

Charlottesville has a higher median financial advisor salary at $131,129/year, compared to Suffolk at $92,091/year — a difference of $39,038 (42.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlottesville and Suffolk?

Charlottesville financial advisors earn $63.04/hr while Suffolk hygienists earn $44.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlottesville to Suffolk as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlottesville and Suffolk. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlottesville = $132,258, Suffolk = $89,235), job availability (200 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Charlottesville vs Suffolk?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $57,497 in Charlottesville and $53,412 in Suffolk. The Charlottesville 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