Financial Advisor Hourly Pay in Durham, NC: $31.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a financial advisor working in Durham, NC runs $31.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,389 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Weighted against Durham's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.6, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,230 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Financial advisors in Durham, North Carolina, can expect a median hourly pay of $31.43, which is significantly lower than the national median of $52.18. This figure reflects the typical earnings for advisors working in various environments, including wirehouse branch offices, independent broker-dealer conference rooms, insurance agency settings, and during client home visits. The hourly rate for financial advisors in this area ranges from $24.23 for entry-level positions to $68.54 for the highest earners. Such a pay structure is important for part-time and per-diem workers, who may operate three days a week or take on specific client projects. This hourly compensation can afford a living, but it does indicate a prevailing trend in which financial advisors in Durham earn less than their counterparts in other parts of the country, as demonstrated by these official BLS hourly data.
Financial Advisor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.23 | $193.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.24 | $193.96 |
| Median (P50) | $31.43 | $251.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.06 | $320.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.54 | $548.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Durham
Based on $31.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.43/hr, a financial advisor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Durham, NC can expect to earn approximately $65,383 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,721. With a cost-of-living index of 97.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Durham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Durham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,257.37 | $5,449 | $65,383 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $754.42 | $3,269 | $39,230 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $502.95 | $2,179 | $26,153 |
Compare CFP, FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Financial Advisor (Durham) | $31.43 |
| 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 Durham, NC earn a median of $65,389 per year (2026 est.), which is 39.75% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 37.40% below the North Carolina state average of $104,455.
Financial Advisor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.43/hr = $39,230/year (purchasing power: $40,206).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,383/year (purchasing power: $67,010).
CoL index: 97.572 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+3.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Durham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for financial advisors in Durham grew -2.9% from $31.34/hr (2019) to $30.43/hr (2025). At a 3.30% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.47/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 Durham 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 Durham
Exploring the part-time earning potential, a financial advisor working 24 hours per week can take home approximately $40,423 annually, a figure that underscores the stark contrast with full-time earnings. Per-diem financial advisors in Durham might find it less common to work on a 1099 basis at junior levels. However, experienced fiduciary advisors delivering project-based financial plans can charge fees ranging from $3,000 to $15,000 per plan, which elevates their earnings significantly. The hourly rates also vary by employer type: wirehouses often provide different compensation structures compared to independent RIA firms or insurance-affiliated agencies. This variation creates a benefit trade-off; advisors may choose to accept lower hourly rates for health insurance and other benefits rather than pursue higher hourly pay without such coverage. For those looking to negotiate their rates, understanding Durham's market dynamics and demonstrating the value of their expertise could lead to more favorable outcomes in discussions about financial advisor hourly pay and overall compensation.
More salary data for Durham, NC:
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 Durham. 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