Los Angeles vs Napa: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)
Compare financial advisor salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Napa, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Napa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $128,598 | $131,439▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $61.83 | $63.19▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,924 | $70,905▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $80,429▲ | $79,613 |
| 75th Percentile | $184,907▲ | $169,433 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $294,498▲ | $293,083 |
| Total Employed | 13,980▲ | 100 |
Verdict
Los Angeles and Napa are closely matched on overall financial advisor compensation, each winning on different metrics.
The salary gap between Los Angeles and Napa is $2,841 (2.21%). Napa's median is +21.10% compared to the US national median of $108,537.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $224,574,Napa spans $222,178. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Napa ($116,779 effective) pays 3.13% more than Los Angeles ($113,236 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Los Angeles if…
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($294,498)
- ✓Larger job market (13,980 employed)
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Choose Napa if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($131,439/year)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $116,779)
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Los Angeles grew 70.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 24.4% growth in Napa over the same period.
Los Angeles, CA
$72,840 (2019) → $124,490 (2025)
Napa, CA
$102,320 (2019) → $127,240 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Los Angeles, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays financial advisors more: Los Angeles or Napa?
What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Napa?
Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Napa as a financial advisor?
What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Los Angeles vs Napa?
Related Comparisons
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