Financial Advisor Hourly Pay in Hickory, NC: $48.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a financial advisor working in Hickory, NC runs $48.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,327 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Weighted against Hickory's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.5, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $55.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,798 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Financial advisors in Hickory, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $48.72 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $52.18. This hourly rate can significantly influence those considering part-time roles or per diem work, as advisors may choose to work three days a week in various settings such as wirehouse branch offices, insurance agencies, or even remote planning meetings. For entry-level financial advisors, starting rates can be as low as $20.02, while those at the top of their career can command hourly rates of up to $128.47, providing a wide range of earning potential in this profession. Given the local cost of living index at 88.486, many advisors may find their compensation aligns well with their lifestyle, making financial advisor hourly pay in Hickory an appealing option.
Financial Advisor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.02 | $160.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.70 | $205.61 |
| Median (P50) | $48.72 | $389.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.18 | $625.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128.47 | $1027.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hickory
Based on $48.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.72/hr, a financial advisor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hickory, NC can expect to earn approximately $101,330 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,460. With a cost-of-living index of 88.49 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hickory.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hickory
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,948.65 | $8,444 | $101,330 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,169.19 | $5,066 | $60,798 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $779.46 | $3,378 | $40,532 |
Compare CFP, FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Financial Advisor (Hickory) | $48.72 |
| 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 Hickory, NC earn a median of $101,327 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.64% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 2.90% below the North Carolina state average of $104,353.
Financial Advisor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.72/hr = $60,798/year (purchasing power: $68,709).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,330/year (purchasing power: $114,515).
CoL index: 88.486 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$51.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-1.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Hickory (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for financial advisors in Hickory grew -8.0% from $51.27/hr (2019) to $47.16/hr (2025). At a 3.30% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.32/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 Hickory 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 Hickory
Considering the part-time earning potential, an advisor working 24 hours a week in Hickory could take home roughly $58,200 annually, which is a substantial income compared to many local professions. Per diem financial advisors operate differently; they can charge significant fees for specialized work, with comprehensive financial plans costing clients anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000. Moreover, retirement plan consulting may offer retainers that range from $5,000 to $25,000, allowing for lucrative opportunities. Hourly rates also fluctuate based on employer types in Hickory, with wirehouses often being more competitive due to larger resources, while independent brokers and RIAs may offer alternate compensation structures that reflect their fiduciary duties. This presents a crucial choice for advisors: many are willing to accept lower hourly rates for the benefits of health insurance and stable employment, while others prefer the flexibility and potential for higher pay without benefits. In the competitive environment of Hickory, these factors are essential for negotiation, where understanding the industry’s bifurcation between fiduciary and commission-based models can empower advisors seeking advantageous pay structures.
More salary data for Hickory, 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 Hickory. 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