Financial Advisor Pay

Madison vs Racine: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

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

Madison, WI
$130,158
$62.58/hr
Racine, WI
$125,861
$60.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIRacine, WI
Median Salary$130,158$125,861
Hourly Rate$62.58$60.51
Entry Level (P10)$54,222$52,197
25th Percentile$80,305$74,769
75th Percentile$223,407$215,618
Top Earner (P90)$524,031$491,336
Total Employed59080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($130,158) and Racine ($125,861) financial advisor salaries.MadisonRacineMedian Salary$130,158$125,861Entry Level (P10)$54,222$52,197Top Earner (P90)$524,031$491,336US Median $108,537

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Madison and Racine is $4,297 (3.41%). Madison's median is +19.92% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Madison spans $469,809,Racine spans $439,139. Madison has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Madison
P10 (Entry)$54,222
P25$80,305
Median$130,158
P75$223,407
P90 (Top)$524,031
Racine
P10 (Entry)$52,197
P25$74,769
Median$125,861
P75$215,618
P90 (Top)$491,336

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($133,788 effective) pays 2.00% more than Racine ($131,158 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $130,158
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $133,788
Racine
Nominal: $125,861
CoL Index: 95.961
Adjusted: $131,158

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($130,158/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($524,031)
  • Larger job market (590 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $133,788)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Racine if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Madison grew 23.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 23.1% growth in Racine over the same period.

Madison, WI

+23.2%

$102,310 (2019) → $126,000 (2025)

Racine, WI

+23.1%

$99,000 (2019) → $121,840 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Madison or Racine?

Madison has a higher median financial advisor salary at $130,158/year, compared to Racine at $125,861/year — a difference of $4,297 (3.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Racine?

Madison financial advisors earn $62.58/hr while Racine hygienists earn $60.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Racine as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Racine. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $133,788, Racine = $131,158), job availability (590 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Madison vs Racine?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $54,222 in Madison and $52,197 in Racine. The Madison 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