Financial Advisor Pay

San Francisco vs Turlock: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between San Francisco, CA and Turlock, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Francisco, CA
$165,910
$79.77/hr
Turlock, CA
$112,718
$54.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CATurlock, CA
Median Salary$165,910$112,718
Hourly Rate$79.77$54.19
Entry Level (P10)$79,438$65,377
25th Percentile$109,343$81,157
75th Percentile$302,700$144,279
Top Earner (P90)$464,974$174,712
Total Employed7,13017
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($165,910) and Turlock ($112,718) financial advisor salaries.San FranciscoTurlockMedian Salary$165,910$112,718Entry Level (P10)$79,438$65,377Top Earner (P90)$464,974$174,712US Median $108,537

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Turlock.

The salary gap between San Francisco and Turlock is $53,192 (47.19%). San Francisco's median is +52.86% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Francisco spans $385,536,Turlock spans $109,335. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$79,438
P25$109,343
Median$165,910
P75$302,700
P90 (Top)$464,974
Turlock
P10 (Entry)$65,377
P25$81,157
Median$112,718
P75$144,279
P90 (Top)$174,712

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($143,505 effective) pays 43.99% more than Turlock ($99,662 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $165,910
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $143,505
Turlock
Nominal: $112,718
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $99,662

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($165,910/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($464,974)
  • Larger job market (7,130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $143,505)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Turlock if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in San Francisco grew 19.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -29.5% growth in Turlock over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+19.0%

$135,000 (2019) → $160,610 (2025)

Turlock, CA

+-29.5%

$154,844 (2024) → $109,117 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: San Francisco or Turlock?

San Francisco has a higher median financial advisor salary at $165,910/year, compared to Turlock at $112,718/year — a difference of $53,192 (47.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Turlock?

San Francisco financial advisors earn $79.77/hr while Turlock hygienists earn $54.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Francisco to Turlock as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Turlock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $143,505, Turlock = $99,662), job availability (7,130 vs 17 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in San Francisco vs Turlock?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $79,438 in San Francisco and $65,377 in Turlock. The San Francisco 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