Financial Advisor Hourly Pay in San Francisco, CA: $79.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a financial advisor working in San Francisco, CA runs $79.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $165,910 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Weighted against San Francisco's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.6, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $69.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $99,551 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, financial advisors in San Francisco, CA, command a noteworthy median hourly pay of $79.77, significantly above the national median of $52.18. This elevated hourly rate is indicative of the city’s rigorous cost of living, as well as the highly specialized skills required in this profession. Working part-time—say, three days a week—could yield considerable earnings; with a standard schedule, an advisor could gross around $62,000 annually while enjoying the flexibility that comes with part-time roles. From entry-level positions starting around $38.19 to seasoned professionals earning up to $223.54 per hour, the variety within this field allows for diverse working arrangements across different environments, be it in wirehouse branch offices, at conferences, or through virtual consultations. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data emphasizes the breadth of earning opportunities for financial advisors within this metropolitan area.
Financial Advisor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.19 | $305.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.57 | $420.55 |
| Median (P50) | $79.77 | $638.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145.53 | $1164.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $223.54 | $1788.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Francisco
Based on $79.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $79.77/hr, a financial advisor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Francisco, CA can expect to earn approximately $165,918 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $95,722. With a cost-of-living index of 115.61 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Francisco.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Francisco
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,190.73 | $13,826 | $165,918 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,914.44 | $8,296 | $99,551 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,276.29 | $5,531 | $66,367 |
Compare CFP, FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Financial Advisor (San Francisco) | $79.77 |
| 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 Francisco, CA earn a median of $165,910 per year (2026 est.), which is 52.86% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 43.90% above the California state average of $115,295.
Financial Advisor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $79.77/hr = $99,551/year (purchasing power: $86,107).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $165,918/year (purchasing power: $143,512).
CoL index: 115.613 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$64.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$77.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$79.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Financial Advisors in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $62.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $72.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $63.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $75.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $77.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for financial advisors in San Francisco grew 19.0% from $64.90/hr (2019) to $77.22/hr (2025). At a 3.30% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $82.40/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 Francisco 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 Francisco
Potential earnings for part-time financial advisors in San Francisco can significantly diverge from their full-time counterparts. For example, a professional working 24 hours each week could take home approximately $62,000 annually, a figure that reflects a balance between work-life integration and financial compensation. While per diem financial advisor pay in San Francisco varies, more experienced fiduciaries might charge a premium for project-based financial plans, often ranging from $3,000 to $15,000 for comprehensive services. When considering employer types, the hourly rates may differ considerably across wirehouses like Morgan Stanley or Merrill Lynch, independent broker-dealers, and RIAs. Advisors with health insurance benefits often accept lower hourly compensation, making the decision between immediate financial reward and long-term security a key factor to ponder. Negotiation skills are essential in this competitive job market—advisors can enhance their positions by showcasing their qualifications and adaptability, particularly in a city where the industry is evolving rapidly between commission-based structures and fiduciary models.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
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
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 Francisco. 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