Financial Advisor Pay

Roanoke vs Suffolk: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

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

Roanoke, VA
$94,716
$45.53/hr
Suffolk, VA
$92,091
$44.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRoanoke, VASuffolk, VA
Median Salary$94,716$92,091
Hourly Rate$45.53$44.27
Entry Level (P10)$52,797$53,412
25th Percentile$71,236$66,305
75th Percentile$160,001$117,877
Top Earner (P90)$398,521$142,741
Total Employed15015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Roanoke ($94,716) and Suffolk ($92,091) financial advisor salaries.RoanokeSuffolkMedian Salary$94,716$92,091Entry Level (P10)$52,797$53,412Top Earner (P90)$398,521$142,741US Median $108,537

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Roanoke and Suffolk is $2,625 (2.85%). Roanoke's median is -12.73% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Roanoke spans $345,724,Suffolk spans $89,329. Roanoke has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Roanoke
P10 (Entry)$52,797
P25$71,236
Median$94,716
P75$160,001
P90 (Top)$398,521
Suffolk
P10 (Entry)$53,412
P25$66,305
Median$92,091
P75$117,877
P90 (Top)$142,741

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roanoke ($101,173 effective) pays 13.38% more than Suffolk ($89,235 effective).

Roanoke
Nominal: $94,716
CoL Index: 93.618
Adjusted: $101,173
Suffolk
Nominal: $92,091
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $89,235

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Roanoke if…

  • Higher median salary ($94,716/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($398,521)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,173)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Suffolk if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Roanoke grew 2.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -25.5% growth in Suffolk over the same period.

Roanoke, VA

+2.8%

$89,180 (2019) → $91,690 (2025)

Suffolk, VA

+-25.5%

$119,734 (2024) → $89,149 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Roanoke or Suffolk?

Roanoke has a higher median financial advisor salary at $94,716/year, compared to Suffolk at $92,091/year — a difference of $2,625 (2.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Roanoke and Suffolk?

Roanoke financial advisors earn $45.53/hr while Suffolk hygienists earn $44.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Roanoke to Suffolk as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Roanoke and Suffolk. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Roanoke = $101,173, Suffolk = $89,235), job availability (150 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Roanoke vs Suffolk?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $52,797 in Roanoke and $53,412 in Suffolk. The Suffolk 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