Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Winston-Salem, NC: $62,739 (2026)
Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Winston-Salem, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $62,739 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Winston-Salem's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $67,029 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($108,172) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Winston-Salem presents a promising environment for new graduates entering the financial advisory field. The starting financial advisor salary in Winston-Salem is projected at $62,739 for 2026, which may feel modest compared to the median annual salary of $108,172. However, recent graduates can anticipate a growth trajectory that could elevate their income significantly within the first few years, as they progress from the lower decile to the twenty-fifth percentile, reaching $77,884. This upward movement suggests that new financial advisors have a solid opportunity for salary enhancement as they build their client bases and experience in this rapidly evolving market.
About the Winston-Salem Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Winston-Salem
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston-Salem
Entry-level financial advisors in Winston-Salem, NC typically start between $62,739 and $77,884 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $104,927 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $108,172 — 0.34% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average financial planning program cost in North Carolina of $42,000 represents just 66.94% of the starting financial advisor pay ($62,739/year) in Winston-Salem. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover bachelor's degree tuition plus licensing exam fees (Series 7, 63/66) and optional CFP certification program costs. Continuing education is required for license maintenance.
CFP, FA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Winston-Salem
- 1Research the Winston-Salem market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $62,739 to $77,884, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the financial planning field — employers in NC often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Winston-Salem, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Winston-Salem for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Winston-Salem's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Financial Advisor Compensation Range
The financial advisor wage spread in Winston-Salem is $104,927 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $62,739, experienced hygienists can earn up to $167,666.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$51,974
2025 BLS Actual
$60,735
2026 Current Est.
$62,739
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Winston-Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,974 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,365 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,565 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,512 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,968 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,076 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,735 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,739 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,810 | Projected |
Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Winston-Salem, NC grew 16.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $51,974 in 2019 to $60,735 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $64,810. New graduates entering the Winston-Salem job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston-Salem metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.30% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your financial planning Career in Winston-Salem
Several reputable firms are actively hiring entry-level financial advisors in Winston-Salem, including established insurance agencies such as Northwestern Mutual, Edward Jones, and MassMutual. These employers often provide structured ramp-up programs paired with bonuses to commissions, allowing new advisors to transition smoothly into their roles. Additionally, wirehouses and Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) are adapting their hiring strategies, with many RIAs seeking candidates from the CFP candidate pool to fill associate advisor positions that emphasize client service paths. To enhance earning potential, candidates may benefit from obtaining a Bachelor’s degree, alongside securities licenses like Series 7 and Series 66, and pursuing voluntary credentials such as the CFP, which remains the gold standard in the field. With a proper strategy and dedication to obtaining critical qualifications, entry-level financial advisors in Winston-Salem can expect realistic salary growth and expanded career opportunities in a market characterized by bifurcation between commission-based models and fee-only fiduciary services.
More salary data for Winston-Salem, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new financial planning graduates. A 3.30% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Winston-Salem. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Winston-Salem is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.30%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for financial advisors (SOC 13-2052).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CFP, a licensed financial advisor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov