Financial Advisor Pay

Seattle vs Spokane: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Seattle, WA and Spokane, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Seattle, WA
$118,320
$56.89/hr
Spokane, WA
$102,629
$49.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSeattle, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$118,320$102,629
Hourly Rate$56.89$49.35
Entry Level (P10)$59,769$61,742
25th Percentile$80,998$66,050
75th Percentile$185,413$166,571
Top Earner (P90)$449,396$298,878
Total Employed3,940250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Seattle ($118,320) and Spokane ($102,629) financial advisor salaries.SeattleSpokaneMedian Salary$118,320$102,629Entry Level (P10)$59,769$61,742Top Earner (P90)$449,396$298,878US Median $108,537

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Spokane.

The salary gap between Seattle and Spokane is $15,691 (15.29%). Seattle's median is +9.01% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Seattle spans $389,627,Spokane spans $237,136. Seattle has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Seattle
P10 (Entry)$59,769
P25$80,998
Median$118,320
P75$185,413
P90 (Top)$449,396
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$61,742
P25$66,050
Median$102,629
P75$166,571
P90 (Top)$298,878

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($106,467 effective) pays 4.10% more than Spokane ($102,275 effective).

Seattle
Nominal: $118,320
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $106,467
Spokane
Nominal: $102,629
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $102,275

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($118,320/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($449,396)
  • Larger job market (3,940 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,467)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Seattle grew 7.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.1% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Seattle, WA

+7.1%

$106,950 (2019) → $114,540 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+4.1%

$95,430 (2019) → $99,350 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Seattle or Spokane?

Seattle has a higher median financial advisor salary at $118,320/year, compared to Spokane at $102,629/year — a difference of $15,691 (15.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Seattle and Spokane?

Seattle financial advisors earn $56.89/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $49.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Seattle to Spokane as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Seattle and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Seattle = $106,467, Spokane = $102,275), job availability (3,940 vs 250 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Seattle vs Spokane?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $59,769 in Seattle and $61,742 in Spokane. The Spokane 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