Financial Advisor Pay

Phoenix vs Tucson: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Phoenix, AZ and Tucson, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Phoenix, AZ
$107,101
$51.50/hr
Tucson, AZ
$60,379
$29.03/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPhoenix, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$107,101$60,379
Hourly Rate$51.50$29.03
Entry Level (P10)$50,875$43,076
25th Percentile$66,814$48,613
75th Percentile$170,848$91,730
Top Earner (P90)$223,417$171,540
Total Employed5,000680
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Phoenix ($107,101) and Tucson ($60,379) financial advisor salaries.PhoenixTucsonMedian Salary$107,101$60,379Entry Level (P10)$50,875$43,076Top Earner (P90)$223,417$171,540US Median $108,537

Verdict

Phoenix, AZ offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Tucson.

The salary gap between Phoenix and Tucson is $46,722 (77.38%). Phoenix's median is -1.32% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Phoenix spans $172,542,Tucson spans $128,464. Phoenix has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Phoenix
P10 (Entry)$50,875
P25$66,814
Median$107,101
P75$170,848
P90 (Top)$223,417
Tucson
P10 (Entry)$43,076
P25$48,613
Median$60,379
P75$91,730
P90 (Top)$171,540

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Phoenix ($103,664 effective) pays 66.36% more than Tucson ($62,313 effective).

Phoenix
Nominal: $107,101
CoL Index: 103.316
Adjusted: $103,664
Tucson
Nominal: $60,379
CoL Index: 96.896
Adjusted: $62,313

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Phoenix if…

  • Higher median salary ($107,101/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($223,417)
  • Larger job market (5,000 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,664)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Tucson if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Phoenix grew 40.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -37.0% growth in Tucson over the same period.

Phoenix, AZ

+40.8%

$73,660 (2019) → $103,680 (2025)

Tucson, AZ

+-37.0%

$92,760 (2019) → $58,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Phoenix or Tucson?

Phoenix has a higher median financial advisor salary at $107,101/year, compared to Tucson at $60,379/year — a difference of $46,722 (77.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Phoenix and Tucson?

Phoenix financial advisors earn $51.50/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $29.03/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Phoenix to Tucson as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Phoenix and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Phoenix = $103,664, Tucson = $62,313), job availability (5,000 vs 680 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Phoenix vs Tucson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $50,875 in Phoenix and $43,076 in Tucson. The Phoenix 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