Financial Advisor Hourly Pay in Santa Clara, CA: $69.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a financial advisor working in Santa Clara, CA runs $69.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $143,704 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Weighted against Santa Clara's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $61.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $86,221 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Clara, financial advisors earn a median hourly pay of $69.09, which is significantly higher than the national median of $52.18. This competitive rate offers ample opportunities for both part-time professionals working approximately three days a week and per-diem workers, who typically engage with clients in settings such as wirehouse branch offices, independent advisory firms, and even remote virtual meetings. The hourly rates for financial advisors in this region span from an entry-level wage of $40.07 to an impressive $107.09 for seasoned professionals, demonstrating the potential for significant earnings based on experience and client base. Notably, these estimates are derived from annual salary projections, highlighting a tangible financial incentive for those considering careers in financial advising in the dynamic market of Santa Clara, CA.
About the Santa Clara Market
Salary estimated from California average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Financial Advisor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.07 | $320.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.74 | $397.91 |
| Median (P50) | $69.09 | $552.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88.44 | $707.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107.09 | $856.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Clara
Based on $69.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.09/hr, a financial advisor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Clara, CA can expect to earn approximately $143,701 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,904. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Clara.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Clara
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,763.48 | $11,975 | $143,701 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,658.09 | $7,185 | $86,221 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,105.39 | $4,790 | $57,480 |
Compare CFP, FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Financial Advisor (Santa Clara) | $69.09 |
| 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 Santa Clara, CA earn a median of $143,704 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.40% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 24.70% above the California state average of $115,240.
Financial Advisor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.09/hr = $86,221/year (purchasing power: $76,234).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $143,701/year (purchasing power: $127,057).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$55.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Santa Clara (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $78.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for financial advisors in Santa Clara grew 19.6% from $55.92/hr (2019) to $66.88/hr (2025). At a 3.30% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.37/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 Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara
Evaluating the financial landscape for part-time financial advisors brings additional insights into earning potential. A financial advisor working only 24 hours a week may gross around $86,000 annually, a respectable income but considerably less than those who work full-time. Per-diem or project-based financial advisory roles, although more common among experienced fiduciaries, offer a different income model; advisors can charge fees ranging from $3,000 to $15,000 for comprehensive financial plans or $5,000 to $25,000 in annual retainers for retirement consulting for small businesses. Hourly rates vary considerably depending on employer type; those employed by wirehouses like Morgan Stanley or Merrill Lynch may earn different rates compared to independent RIAs. Advisors weighing the trade-offs between lower pay for benefits versus higher pay without them must carefully consider their options. Additionally, for those negotiating their hourly rates in Santa Clara, demonstrating expertise in areas like fiduciary responsibility and asset management can be advantageous in securing favorable terms.
More salary data for Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Santa Clara 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