Financial Advisor Pay

Trenton vs Union City: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Trenton, NJ and Union City, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Trenton, NJ
$133,391
$64.13/hr
Union City, NJ
$123,314
$59.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricTrenton, NJUnion City, NJ
Median Salary$133,391$123,314
Hourly Rate$64.13$59.28
Entry Level (P10)$86,090$71,523
25th Percentile$98,899$88,786
75th Percentile$213,387$157,842
Top Earner (P90)$328,866$191,137
Total Employed1,07017
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Trenton ($133,391) and Union City ($123,314) financial advisor salaries.TrentonUnion CityMedian Salary$133,391$123,314Entry Level (P10)$86,090$71,523Top Earner (P90)$328,866$191,137US Median $108,537

Verdict

Trenton, NJ offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Union City.

The salary gap between Trenton and Union City is $10,077 (8.17%). Trenton's median is +22.90% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Trenton spans $242,776,Union City spans $119,614. Trenton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Trenton
P10 (Entry)$86,090
P25$98,899
Median$133,391
P75$213,387
P90 (Top)$328,866
Union City
P10 (Entry)$71,523
P25$88,786
Median$123,314
P75$157,842
P90 (Top)$191,137

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Trenton ($129,280 effective) pays 20.77% more than Union City ($107,043 effective).

Trenton
Nominal: $133,391
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $129,280
Union City
Nominal: $123,314
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $107,043

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Trenton if…

  • Higher median salary ($133,391/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($328,866)
  • Larger job market (1,070 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $129,280)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Union City if…

  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Trenton grew 9.4% from 2020 to 2025, compared to -29.0% growth in Union City over the same period.

Trenton, NJ

+9.4%

$118,060 (2020) → $129,130 (2025)

Union City, NJ

+-29.0%

$168,150 (2024) → $119,375 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Trenton or Union City?

Trenton has a higher median financial advisor salary at $133,391/year, compared to Union City at $123,314/year — a difference of $10,077 (8.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Trenton and Union City?

Trenton financial advisors earn $64.13/hr while Union City hygienists earn $59.28/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Trenton to Union City as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Trenton and Union City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Trenton = $129,280, Union City = $107,043), job availability (1,070 vs 17 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Trenton vs Union City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $86,090 in Trenton and $71,523 in Union City. The Trenton 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