Financial Advisor Hourly Pay in Sunnyvale, CA: $69.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a financial advisor working in Sunnyvale, CA runs $69.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $144,654 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Weighted against Sunnyvale's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $61.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $86,788 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sunnyvale, California, the financial advisor hourly pay stands at a robust $69.54, considerably higher than the national hourly median of $52.18. This rate reflects the city's competitive job market for financial advisors, particularly for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. Advisors typically operate in various settings, including wirehouse branch offices, independent RIA conference rooms, and private banking suites at banks. The hourly range sees entry-level professionals earning around $40.34, while seasoned advisors can command upwards of $107.79 per hour. Although these figures derive from annual salary data, they provide a useful snapshot of what financial advisors can expect for their hourly toil in Sunnyvale, where the cost of living index suggests the need for substantial earnings.
About the Sunnyvale 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) | $40.34 | $322.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.07 | $400.56 |
| Median (P50) | $69.54 | $556.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89.01 | $712.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107.79 | $862.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sunnyvale
Based on $69.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.54/hr, a financial advisor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sunnyvale, CA can expect to earn approximately $144,646 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $83,450. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sunnyvale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sunnyvale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,781.66 | $12,054 | $144,646 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,669.00 | $7,232 | $86,788 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,112.66 | $4,822 | $57,859 |
Compare CFP, FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Financial Advisor (Sunnyvale) | $69.54 |
| 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 Sunnyvale, CA earn a median of $144,654 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.28% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 25.50% above the California state average of $115,262.
Financial Advisor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.54/hr = $86,788/year (purchasing power: $76,736).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $144,646/year (purchasing power: $127,893).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$56.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Sunnyvale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $61.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $78.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for financial advisors in Sunnyvale grew 19.6% from $56.29/hr (2019) to $67.32/hr (2025). At a 3.30% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.84/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 Sunnyvale 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 Sunnyvale
When evaluating the financial dynamics of advisory work in Sunnyvale, many part-time professionals working three days a week can see their annual take-home pay vary significantly compared to full-timers. For instance, financial advisors opting for part-time roles averaging 24 hours a week may bring in around $85,000 annually, compared to their full-time counterparts earning more than $144,000 in a similar role. Per diem financial advisor pay in Sunnyvale offers an alternate path, especially for experienced fiduciary advisors who can charge anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000 for project-based financial plans. The variation in hourly wages across different employer types is notable; those at wirehouses like Morgan Stanley or Merrill Lynch may earn more than independent advisors at an RIA or insurance-affiliated firms. Additionally, many advisors must navigate the benefits trade-off—accepting possibly lower hourly rates for better health insurance options. For those negotiating hourly contracts, being aware of the market’s expectations and having clear pricing strategies can significantly enhance compensation discussions.
More salary data for Sunnyvale, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for financial advisors in Sunnyvale in 2026?
How much do part-time financial advisors make in Sunnyvale?
Are financial advisors in Sunnyvale paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time financial advisor make per year in Sunnyvale?
Do financial advisors earn more per hour working part-time in Sunnyvale?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 Sunnyvale. 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 Sunnyvale 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