Financial Advisor Pay

San Francisco vs Upland: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

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

San Francisco, CA
$165,910
$79.77/hr
Upland, CA
$111,467
$53.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAUpland, CA
Median Salary$165,910$111,467
Hourly Rate$79.77$53.59
Entry Level (P10)$79,438$64,650
25th Percentile$109,343$80,256
75th Percentile$302,700$142,678
Top Earner (P90)$464,974$172,773
Total Employed7,13018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($165,910) and Upland ($111,467) financial advisor salaries.San FranciscoUplandMedian Salary$165,910$111,467Entry Level (P10)$79,438$64,650Top Earner (P90)$464,974$172,773US Median $108,537

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and Upland is $54,443 (48.84%). 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,Upland spans $108,123. 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
Upland
P10 (Entry)$64,650
P25$80,256
Median$111,467
P75$142,678
P90 (Top)$172,773

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($143,505 effective) pays 45.61% more than Upland ($98,556 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $165,910
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $143,505
Upland
Nominal: $111,467
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $98,556

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 Upland 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 Upland over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+19.0%

$135,000 (2019) → $160,610 (2025)

Upland, CA

+-29.5%

$153,126 (2024) → $107,906 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

San Francisco has a higher median financial advisor salary at $165,910/year, compared to Upland at $111,467/year — a difference of $54,443 (48.84%).

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

San Francisco financial advisors earn $79.77/hr while Upland hygienists earn $53.59/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Upland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $143,505, Upland = $98,556), job availability (7,130 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $79,438 in San Francisco and $64,650 in Upland. 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