Financial Advisor Pay

Kearny vs Trenton: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Kearny, NJ and Trenton, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kearny, NJ
$120,959
$58.16/hr
Trenton, NJ
$133,391
$64.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKearny, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$120,959$133,391
Hourly Rate$58.16$64.13
Entry Level (P10)$70,156$86,090
25th Percentile$87,380$98,899
75th Percentile$154,828$213,387
Top Earner (P90)$187,486$328,866
Total Employed111,070
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kearny ($120,959) and Trenton ($133,391) financial advisor salaries.KearnyTrentonMedian Salary$120,959$133,391Entry Level (P10)$70,156$86,090Top Earner (P90)$187,486$328,866US Median $108,537

Verdict

Trenton, NJ offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kearny.

The salary gap between Kearny and Trenton is $12,432 (10.28%). Trenton's median is +22.90% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kearny spans $117,330,Trenton spans $242,776. Trenton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced financial advisors.

Kearny
P10 (Entry)$70,156
P25$87,380
Median$120,959
P75$154,828
P90 (Top)$187,486
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$86,090
P25$98,899
Median$133,391
P75$213,387
P90 (Top)$328,866

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Trenton ($129,280 effective) pays 23.12% more than Kearny ($104,999 effective).

Kearny
Nominal: $120,959
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $104,999
Trenton
Nominal: $133,391
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $129,280

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kearny if…

  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Higher median salary ($133,391/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($328,866)
  • Larger job market (1,070 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $129,280)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Kearny grew -29.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 9.4% growth in Trenton over the same period.

Kearny, NJ

+-29.0%

$164,938 (2024) → $117,095 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+9.4%

$118,060 (2020) → $129,130 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Kearny or Trenton?

Trenton has a higher median financial advisor salary at $133,391/year, compared to Kearny at $120,959/year — a difference of $12,432 (10.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kearny and Trenton?

Kearny financial advisors earn $58.16/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $64.13/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kearny to Trenton as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kearny and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kearny = $104,999, Trenton = $129,280), job availability (11 vs 1,070 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Kearny vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $70,156 in Kearny and $86,090 in Trenton. The Trenton area offers higher starting salaries.
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