Financial Advisor Pay

Franklin vs Milwaukee: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Franklin, WI and Milwaukee, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Franklin, WI
$116,254
$55.90/hr
Milwaukee, WI
$129,962
$62.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFranklin, WIMilwaukee, WI
Median Salary$116,254$129,962
Hourly Rate$55.90$62.48
Entry Level (P10)$67,427$66,959
25th Percentile$83,703$100,728
75th Percentile$148,805$213,438
Top Earner (P90)$180,193$403,149
Total Employed82,150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Franklin ($116,254) and Milwaukee ($129,962) financial advisor salaries.FranklinMilwaukeeMedian Salary$116,254$129,962Entry Level (P10)$67,427$66,959Top Earner (P90)$180,193$403,149US Median $108,537

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Franklin.

The salary gap between Franklin and Milwaukee is $13,708 (11.79%). Milwaukee's median is +19.74% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Franklin spans $112,766,Milwaukee spans $336,190. Milwaukee has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced financial advisors.

Franklin
P10 (Entry)$67,427
P25$83,703
Median$116,254
P75$148,805
P90 (Top)$180,193
Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$66,959
P25$100,728
Median$129,962
P75$213,438
P90 (Top)$403,149

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($134,069 effective) pays 7.71% more than Franklin ($124,469 effective).

Franklin
Nominal: $116,254
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $124,469
Milwaukee
Nominal: $129,962
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $134,069

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Franklin if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($129,962/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($403,149)
  • Larger job market (2,150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $134,069)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Franklin grew 31.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 39.3% growth in Milwaukee over the same period.

Franklin, WI

+31.9%

$85,300 (2024) → $112,540 (2025)

Milwaukee, WI

+39.3%

$90,290 (2019) → $125,810 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Franklin or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has a higher median financial advisor salary at $129,962/year, compared to Franklin at $116,254/year — a difference of $13,708 (11.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Franklin and Milwaukee?

Franklin financial advisors earn $55.90/hr while Milwaukee hygienists earn $62.48/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Franklin to Milwaukee as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Franklin and Milwaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Franklin = $124,469, Milwaukee = $134,069), job availability (8 vs 2,150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Franklin vs Milwaukee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $67,427 in Franklin and $66,959 in Milwaukee. The Franklin 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