Fargo vs Williston: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)
Compare financial advisor salaries between Fargo, ND and Williston, ND. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Fargo, ND | Williston, ND |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $78,405 | $95,282▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $37.69 | $45.81▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,433▲ | $55,263 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,430 | $68,603▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $106,854 | $121,961▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $141,996 | $147,687▲ |
| Total Employed | 250▲ | 7 |
Verdict
Williston, ND offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fargo.
The salary gap between Fargo and Williston is $16,877 (21.53%). Williston's median is -12.21% compared to the US national median of $108,537.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fargo spans $80,563,Williston spans $92,424. Williston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced financial advisors.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Williston ($103,567 effective) pays 20.03% more than Fargo ($86,282 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Fargo if…
- ✓Larger job market (250 employed)
- ✓You prefer the North Dakota area and lifestyle
Choose Williston if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($95,282/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($147,687)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,567)
- ✓You prefer the North Dakota area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Fargo grew 11.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.4% growth in Williston over the same period.
Fargo, ND
$67,880 (2019) → $75,900 (2025)
Williston, ND
$77,253 (2024) → $92,238 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Williston, ND
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays financial advisors more: Fargo or Williston?
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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