Financial Advisor Hourly Pay in Council Bluffs, IA: $44.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a financial advisor working in Council Bluffs, IA runs $44.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,733 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Weighted against Council Bluffs's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,035 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Council Bluffs, Iowa, the financial advisor hourly pay is projected to be around $44.10 in 2026, which is noticeably lower than the national median hourly rate of $52.18. This differential can present unique financial dynamics for part-time financial advisors working three days a week, where earnings could fluctuate based on the clients and services rendered. Typical employment settings, including wirehouse branch offices, insurance agency offices, and virtual planning meetings, allow for diverse working arrangements. Entry-level advisors may see hourly wages around $25.58, while top earners could command rates up to $68.36. These figures highlight the dent in income potential based purely on location within Iowa when compared with national averages, reflective of both the number of professionals in the field and the local cost of living index.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Financial Advisor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.58 | $204.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.75 | $254.04 |
| Median (P50) | $44.10 | $352.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.45 | $451.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.36 | $546.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Council Bluffs
Based on $44.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.10/hr, a financial advisor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Council Bluffs, IA can expect to earn approximately $91,725 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,919. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Council Bluffs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Council Bluffs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,763.95 | $7,644 | $91,725 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,058.37 | $4,586 | $55,035 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $705.58 | $3,058 | $36,690 |
Compare CFP, FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Financial Advisor (Council Bluffs) | $44.10 |
| 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 Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $91,733 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.48% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $94,962.
Financial Advisor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.10/hr = $55,035/year (purchasing power: $60,880).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,725/year (purchasing power: $101,466).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for financial advisors in Council Bluffs grew 19.6% from $35.69/hr (2019) to $42.69/hr (2025). At a 3.30% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.55/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 Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs
When evaluating the earnings of a part-time financial advisor in Council Bluffs, it is essential to consider the implications of a 24-hour workweek. This could yield just under $57,700 annually, a stark contrast to full-time earnings, particularly when factoring in the potential for comprehensive fee structures. For per diem work, where seasoned fiduciaries can charge anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000 per financial plan, many opportunities arise for those at a higher skill level. The variety of employers—from wirehouses like Merrill Lynch to independent advisors—creates a situation where hourly pay can vary significantly. Some advisors may prioritize benefits like health insurance over higher pay rates, which could influence decisions on job selection. Negotiating hourly pay in the local market requires understanding these trade-offs, as well as being aware of the structural differences between commission and fee-only models that dominate the financial advisory landscape.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, IA:
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 Council Bluffs. 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 Council Bluffs 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