Financial Advisor Hourly Pay in San Diego, CA: $64.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a financial advisor working in San Diego, CA runs $64.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,631 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Weighted against San Diego's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.9, 12% above national), each hour of work buys what $57.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,780 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Diego, financial advisors can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $64.73, which significantly exceeds the national hourly median of $52.18. This well-compensated status reflects the city's competitive market, accommodating various work arrangements, including part-time and per-diem opportunities. With entry-level professionals earning around $34.09 per hour and seasoned advisors commanding rates up to $201.40 per hour, the range allows for diverse career pathways. Common working environments for these advisors include wirehouse branch offices, registered investment advisor (RIA) conference rooms, and remote meetings, giving professionals flexibility in their schedules. For those seeking to balance career with other commitments, working three days a week can offer substantial pay while maintaining a desirable work-life balance. The figures are drawn from 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, ensuring reliable insights into the evolving financial advisor landscape in San Diego.
Financial Advisor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.09 | $272.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.46 | $379.65 |
| Median (P50) | $64.73 | $517.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94.21 | $753.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201.40 | $1611.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Diego
Based on $64.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.73/hr, a financial advisor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Diego, CA can expect to earn approximately $134,634 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,673. With a cost-of-living index of 111.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Diego.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Diego
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,589.11 | $11,219 | $134,634 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,553.47 | $6,732 | $80,780 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,035.64 | $4,488 | $53,854 |
Compare CFP, FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Financial Advisor (San Diego) | $64.73 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Accountant / Auditor (National Avg) | $39.88 |
| Insurance Sales Agent (National Avg) | $29.02 |
| Securities / Commodities Sales Agent (National Avg) | $35.30 |
Financial Advisors in San Diego, CA earn a median of $134,631 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.04% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 16.80% above the California state average of $115,266.
Financial Advisor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.73/hr = $80,780/year (purchasing power: $72,198).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,634/year (purchasing power: $120,330).
CoL index: 111.887 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$55.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Financial Advisors in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $63.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for financial advisors in San Diego grew 12.6% from $55.64/hr (2019) to $62.66/hr (2025). At a 3.30% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.86/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem financial advisors can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Diego 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.
Working as an Hourly Financial Advisor in San Diego
For a financial advisor working part-time at an hourly rate of $64.73 in San Diego, the annual income from a three-day work week translates to significant earnings compared to a traditional full-time role. When engaging in per-diem work, experienced fiduciaries may charge between $3,000 to $15,000 for comprehensive financial plans, while consulting small businesses can yield annual retainers of $5,000 to $25,000. This variability in per diem financial advisor pay in San Diego reflects the different employer types, including wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and independent broker-dealers such as LPL and Raymond James, each offering distinct compensation structures. As advisors weigh the trade-offs, those accepting lower hourly rates for employment benefits must consider their long-term career aspirations. Hourly negotiations also play a vital role; advisors might consider presenting a compelling value proposition, demonstrating how their credentials, like CFP certification, contribute to enhanced client service and ultimately justify their rates in San Diego's competitive market.
More salary data for San Diego, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for financial advisors in San Diego in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.30% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for financial advisors in San Diego. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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