Financial Advisor Pay

Madison vs Stevens Point: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

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

Madison, WI
$130,158
$62.58/hr
Stevens Point, WI
$116,385
$55.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIStevens Point, WI
Median Salary$130,158$116,385
Hourly Rate$62.58$55.96
Entry Level (P10)$54,222$67,503
25th Percentile$80,305$83,797
75th Percentile$223,407$148,973
Top Earner (P90)$524,031$180,397
Total Employed5904
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($130,158) and Stevens Point ($116,385) financial advisor salaries.MadisonStevens PointMedian Salary$130,158$116,385Entry Level (P10)$54,222$67,503Top Earner (P90)$524,031$180,397US Median $108,537

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Madison and Stevens Point is $13,773 (11.83%). 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,Stevens Point spans $112,894. 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
Stevens Point
P10 (Entry)$67,503
P25$83,797
Median$116,385
P75$148,973
P90 (Top)$180,397

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($133,788 effective) pays 7.37% more than Stevens Point ($124,609 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $130,158
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $133,788
Stevens Point
Nominal: $116,385
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $124,609

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 Stevens Point 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 31.9% growth in Stevens Point over the same period.

Madison, WI

+23.2%

$102,310 (2019) → $126,000 (2025)

Stevens Point, WI

+31.9%

$85,397 (2024) → $112,667 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Madison or Stevens Point?

Madison has a higher median financial advisor salary at $130,158/year, compared to Stevens Point at $116,385/year — a difference of $13,773 (11.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Stevens Point?

Madison financial advisors earn $62.58/hr while Stevens Point hygienists earn $55.96/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Stevens Point as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Stevens Point. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $133,788, Stevens Point = $124,609), job availability (590 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $54,222 in Madison and $67,503 in Stevens Point. The Stevens Point 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