Financial Advisor Pay

Columbus vs Savannah: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Columbus, GA and Savannah, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Columbus, GA
$106,213
$51.07/hr
Savannah, GA
$130,365
$62.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, GASavannah, GA
Median Salary$106,213$130,365
Hourly Rate$51.07$62.68
Entry Level (P10)$49,532$51,433
25th Percentile$66,391$78,901
75th Percentile$210,246$196,342
Top Earner (P90)$449,407$401,651
Total Employed150210
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($106,213) and Savannah ($130,365) financial advisor salaries.ColumbusSavannahMedian Salary$106,213$130,365Entry Level (P10)$49,532$51,433Top Earner (P90)$449,407$401,651US Median $108,537

Verdict

Savannah, GA offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Columbus.

The salary gap between Columbus and Savannah is $24,152 (22.74%). Savannah's median is +20.11% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $399,875,Savannah spans $350,218. Columbus has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$49,532
P25$66,391
Median$106,213
P75$210,246
P90 (Top)$449,407
Savannah
P10 (Entry)$51,433
P25$78,901
Median$130,365
P75$196,342
P90 (Top)$401,651

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Savannah ($136,929 effective) pays 15.12% more than Columbus ($118,945 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $106,213
CoL Index: 89.296
Adjusted: $118,945
Savannah
Nominal: $130,365
CoL Index: 95.206
Adjusted: $136,929

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($449,407)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Savannah if…

  • Higher median salary ($130,365/year)
  • Larger job market (210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $136,929)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Columbus grew 83.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.1% growth in Savannah over the same period.

Columbus, GA

+83.1%

$56,170 (2019) → $102,820 (2025)

Savannah, GA

+18.1%

$106,830 (2019) → $126,200 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Columbus or Savannah?

Savannah has a higher median financial advisor salary at $130,365/year, compared to Columbus at $106,213/year — a difference of $24,152 (22.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Savannah?

Columbus financial advisors earn $51.07/hr while Savannah hygienists earn $62.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Savannah as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Savannah. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $118,945, Savannah = $136,929), job availability (150 vs 210 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Columbus vs Savannah?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $49,532 in Columbus and $51,433 in Savannah. The Savannah 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