Financial Advisor Pay

Lawrence vs Wichita: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Lawrence, KS and Wichita, KS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lawrence, KS
$94,809
$45.58/hr
Wichita, KS
$83,880
$40.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLawrence, KSWichita, KS
Median Salary$94,809$83,880
Hourly Rate$45.58$40.33
Entry Level (P10)$61,897$53,158
25th Percentile$81,049$64,294
75th Percentile$135,829$130,613
Top Earner (P90)$205,505$275,171
Total Employed170470
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lawrence ($94,809) and Wichita ($83,880) financial advisor salaries.LawrenceWichitaMedian Salary$94,809$83,880Entry Level (P10)$61,897$53,158Top Earner (P90)$205,505$275,171US Median $108,537

Verdict

Lawrence and Wichita are closely matched on overall financial advisor compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Lawrence and Wichita is $10,929 (13.03%). Lawrence's median is -12.65% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lawrence spans $143,608,Wichita spans $222,013. Wichita has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced financial advisors.

Lawrence
P10 (Entry)$61,897
P25$81,049
Median$94,809
P75$135,829
P90 (Top)$205,505
Wichita
P10 (Entry)$53,158
P25$64,294
Median$83,880
P75$130,613
P90 (Top)$275,171

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lawrence ($105,060 effective) pays 11.40% more than Wichita ($94,304 effective).

Lawrence
Nominal: $94,809
CoL Index: 90.243
Adjusted: $105,060
Wichita
Nominal: $83,880
CoL Index: 88.946
Adjusted: $94,304

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lawrence if…

  • Higher median salary ($94,809/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,060)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Choose Wichita if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($275,171)
  • Larger job market (470 employed)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Lawrence grew 91.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -5.3% growth in Wichita over the same period.

Lawrence, KS

+91.4%

$47,950 (2019) → $91,780 (2025)

Wichita, KS

+-5.3%

$85,710 (2020) → $81,200 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Lawrence or Wichita?

Lawrence has a higher median financial advisor salary at $94,809/year, compared to Wichita at $83,880/year — a difference of $10,929 (13.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lawrence and Wichita?

Lawrence financial advisors earn $45.58/hr while Wichita hygienists earn $40.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lawrence to Wichita as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lawrence and Wichita. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lawrence = $105,060, Wichita = $94,304), job availability (170 vs 470 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Lawrence vs Wichita?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $61,897 in Lawrence and $53,158 in Wichita. The Lawrence 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