Financial Advisor Pay

Hawthorne vs San Francisco: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Hawthorne, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hawthorne, CA
$113,886
$54.75/hr
San Francisco, CA
$165,910
$79.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHawthorne, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$113,886$165,910
Hourly Rate$54.75$79.77
Entry Level (P10)$66,054$79,438
25th Percentile$81,999$109,343
75th Percentile$145,774$302,700
Top Earner (P90)$176,523$464,974
Total Employed137,130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hawthorne ($113,886) and San Francisco ($165,910) financial advisor salaries.HawthorneSan FranciscoMedian Salary$113,886$165,910Entry Level (P10)$66,054$79,438Top Earner (P90)$176,523$464,974US Median $108,537

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hawthorne.

The salary gap between Hawthorne and San Francisco is $52,024 (45.68%). San Francisco's median is +52.86% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hawthorne spans $110,469,San Francisco spans $385,536. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced financial advisors.

Hawthorne
P10 (Entry)$66,054
P25$81,999
Median$113,886
P75$145,774
P90 (Top)$176,523
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$79,438
P25$109,343
Median$165,910
P75$302,700
P90 (Top)$464,974

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($143,505 effective) pays 42.51% more than Hawthorne ($100,695 effective).

Hawthorne
Nominal: $113,886
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $100,695
San Francisco
Nominal: $165,910
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $143,505

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hawthorne if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($165,910/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($464,974)
  • Larger job market (7,130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $143,505)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Hawthorne grew -29.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 19.0% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Hawthorne, CA

+-29.5%

$156,449 (2024) → $110,248 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+19.0%

$135,000 (2019) → $160,610 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Hawthorne or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median financial advisor salary at $165,910/year, compared to Hawthorne at $113,886/year — a difference of $52,024 (45.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hawthorne and San Francisco?

Hawthorne financial advisors earn $54.75/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $79.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hawthorne to San Francisco as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hawthorne and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hawthorne = $100,695, San Francisco = $143,505), job availability (13 vs 7,130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Hawthorne vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $66,054 in Hawthorne and $79,438 in San Francisco. The San Francisco 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