Financial Advisor Pay

Richmond vs Waynesboro: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Richmond, VA and Waynesboro, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Richmond, VA
$114,570
$55.08/hr
Waynesboro, VA
$88,983
$42.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRichmond, VAWaynesboro, VA
Median Salary$114,570$88,983
Hourly Rate$55.08$42.78
Entry Level (P10)$57,951$51,610
25th Percentile$83,559$64,068
75th Percentile$186,570$113,898
Top Earner (P90)$389,441$137,923
Total Employed1,3504
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Richmond ($114,570) and Waynesboro ($88,983) financial advisor salaries.RichmondWaynesboroMedian Salary$114,570$88,983Entry Level (P10)$57,951$51,610Top Earner (P90)$389,441$137,923US Median $108,537

Verdict

Richmond, VA offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Waynesboro.

The salary gap between Richmond and Waynesboro is $25,587 (28.75%). Richmond's median is +5.56% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Richmond spans $331,490,Waynesboro spans $86,313. Richmond has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Richmond
P10 (Entry)$57,951
P25$83,559
Median$114,570
P75$186,570
P90 (Top)$389,441
Waynesboro
P10 (Entry)$51,610
P25$64,068
Median$88,983
P75$113,898
P90 (Top)$137,923

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($117,078 effective) pays 35.78% more than Waynesboro ($86,224 effective).

Richmond
Nominal: $114,570
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $117,078
Waynesboro
Nominal: $88,983
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $86,224

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Richmond if…

  • Higher median salary ($114,570/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($389,441)
  • Larger job market (1,350 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $117,078)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Waynesboro if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Richmond grew 14.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -25.5% growth in Waynesboro over the same period.

Richmond, VA

+14.2%

$97,150 (2019) → $110,910 (2025)

Waynesboro, VA

+-25.5%

$115,692 (2024) → $86,140 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Richmond or Waynesboro?

Richmond has a higher median financial advisor salary at $114,570/year, compared to Waynesboro at $88,983/year — a difference of $25,587 (28.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Richmond and Waynesboro?

Richmond financial advisors earn $55.08/hr while Waynesboro hygienists earn $42.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Richmond to Waynesboro as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Richmond and Waynesboro. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Richmond = $117,078, Waynesboro = $86,224), job availability (1,350 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Richmond vs Waynesboro?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $57,951 in Richmond and $51,610 in Waynesboro. The Richmond 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