Financial Advisor Pay

Ruston vs Slidell: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Ruston, LA and Slidell, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Ruston, LA
$68,790
$33.08/hr
Slidell, LA
$77,320
$37.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRuston, LASlidell, LA
Median Salary$68,790$77,320
Hourly Rate$33.08$37.18
Entry Level (P10)$39,898$42,167
25th Percentile$49,528$52,022
75th Percentile$88,051$151,335
Top Earner (P90)$106,624$363,926
Total Employed4150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Ruston ($68,790) and Slidell ($77,320) financial advisor salaries.RustonSlidellMedian Salary$68,790$77,320Entry Level (P10)$39,898$42,167Top Earner (P90)$106,624$363,926US Median $108,537

Verdict

Slidell, LA offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Ruston.

The salary gap between Ruston and Slidell is $8,530 (12.40%). Slidell's median is -28.76% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Ruston spans $66,726,Slidell spans $321,759. Slidell has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced financial advisors.

Ruston
P10 (Entry)$39,898
P25$49,528
Median$68,790
P75$88,051
P90 (Top)$106,624
Slidell
P10 (Entry)$42,167
P25$52,022
Median$77,320
P75$151,335
P90 (Top)$363,926

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Slidell ($83,385 effective) pays 9.46% more than Ruston ($76,179 effective).

Ruston
Nominal: $68,790
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $76,179
Slidell
Nominal: $77,320
CoL Index: 92.726
Adjusted: $83,385

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Ruston if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Slidell if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,320/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($363,926)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,385)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Ruston grew -9.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -6.4% growth in Slidell over the same period.

Ruston, LA

+-9.8%

$73,809 (2024) → $66,592 (2025)

Slidell, LA

+-6.4%

$79,990 (2024) → $74,850 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Ruston or Slidell?

Slidell has a higher median financial advisor salary at $77,320/year, compared to Ruston at $68,790/year — a difference of $8,530 (12.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Ruston and Slidell?

Ruston financial advisors earn $33.08/hr while Slidell hygienists earn $37.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Ruston to Slidell as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Ruston and Slidell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Ruston = $76,179, Slidell = $83,385), job availability (4 vs 150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Ruston vs Slidell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $39,898 in Ruston and $42,167 in Slidell. The Slidell 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