Financial Advisor Pay

Concord vs Durham: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Concord, NC and Durham, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Concord, NC
$104,402
$50.19/hr
Durham, NC
$65,389
$31.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricConcord, NCDurham, NC
Median Salary$104,402$65,389
Hourly Rate$50.19$31.43
Entry Level (P10)$60,553$50,400
25th Percentile$75,169$50,421
75th Percentile$133,635$83,322
Top Earner (P90)$161,824$142,564
Total Employed241,510
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Concord ($104,402) and Durham ($65,389) financial advisor salaries.ConcordDurhamMedian Salary$104,402$65,389Entry Level (P10)$60,553$50,400Top Earner (P90)$161,824$142,564US Median $108,537

Verdict

Concord, NC offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Durham.

The salary gap between Concord and Durham is $39,013 (59.66%). Concord's median is -3.81% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Concord spans $101,271,Durham spans $92,164. Concord has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Concord
P10 (Entry)$60,553
P25$75,169
Median$104,402
P75$133,635
P90 (Top)$161,824
Durham
P10 (Entry)$50,400
P25$50,421
Median$65,389
P75$83,322
P90 (Top)$142,564

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Concord ($111,541 effective) pays 66.44% more than Durham ($67,016 effective).

Concord
Nominal: $104,402
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $111,541
Durham
Nominal: $65,389
CoL Index: 97.572
Adjusted: $67,016

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Concord if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,402/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($161,824)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $111,541)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Durham if…

  • Larger job market (1,510 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Concord grew 0.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -2.9% growth in Durham over the same period.

Concord, NC

+0.2%

$100,887 (2024) → $101,067 (2025)

Durham, NC

+-2.9%

$65,180 (2019) → $63,300 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Concord or Durham?

Concord has a higher median financial advisor salary at $104,402/year, compared to Durham at $65,389/year — a difference of $39,013 (59.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Concord and Durham?

Concord financial advisors earn $50.19/hr while Durham hygienists earn $31.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Concord to Durham as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Concord and Durham. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Concord = $111,541, Durham = $67,016), job availability (24 vs 1,510 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Concord vs Durham?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $60,553 in Concord and $50,400 in Durham. The Concord 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