Financial Advisor Hourly Pay in Columbia, SC: $46.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a financial advisor working in Columbia, SC runs $46.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $97,236 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Weighted against Columbia's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.7, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,348 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the financial advisor hourly pay in Columbia, South Carolina is projected to be $46.75, which falls below the national hourly median of $52.18. This difference in compensation can significantly impact part-time professionals who may choose to work in common environments such as wirehouse branch offices, RIA conference rooms, or during remote planning meetings. For those working a typical schedule of three days a week, part-time financial advisors will have flexibility but may need to consider the implications of earning between $22.53 and $162.84 per hour, as outlined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Entry-level positions start lower on this spectrum, while top earners can command higher rates, presenting a diverse range of opportunities for both new and experienced financial advisors in Columbia's market.
Financial Advisor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.53 | $180.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.26 | $210.07 |
| Median (P50) | $46.75 | $374.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88.08 | $704.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162.84 | $1302.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbia
Based on $46.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.75/hr, a financial advisor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbia, SC can expect to earn approximately $97,247 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,104. With a cost-of-living index of 93.66 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,870.14 | $8,104 | $97,247 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,122.09 | $4,862 | $58,348 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $748.06 | $3,242 | $38,899 |
Compare CFP, FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Financial Advisor (Columbia) | $46.75 |
| 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 Columbia, SC earn a median of $97,236 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.41% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 5.20% below the South Carolina state average of $102,570.
Financial Advisor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.75/hr = $58,348/year (purchasing power: $62,297).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $97,247/year (purchasing power: $103,828).
CoL index: 93.662 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+63.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for financial advisors in Columbia grew 53.6% from $29.46/hr (2019) to $45.26/hr (2025). At a 3.30% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.30/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 Columbia 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 Columbia
Analyzing part-time work as a financial advisor in Columbia reveals that those operating on a 24-hour workweek could expect to earn less annually than full-time counterparts, but still maintain a respectable income. In terms of a per-diem financial advisor pay structure, while it is less common for entry-level positions, seasoned advisors often charge clients between $3,000 to $15,000 for project-based financial plans, with retainer fees for consulting reaching $5,000 to $25,000 annually at small businesses. Hourly rates can fluctuate greatly depending on employer types, like established wirehouses or independent broker-dealers, with wirehouses likely offering slightly lower pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while independent RIAs may provide higher hourly rates but without employee benefits. For those negotiating their pay, emphasizing your credentials—such as being a CFP candidate—and understanding market wages can be key in achieving a favorable hourly rate in Columbia's financial advisory scene.
More salary data for Columbia, SC:
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 Columbia. 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