Financial Advisor Salary in Alabama: $82,687 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Alabama's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median financial advisor pay sits at $82,687/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 13-2052. Because Alabama sits at BEA RPP 87.9 (12% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $94,069 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Dothan ($120,430), Montgomery ($85,890), Huntsville ($85,040).
In Alabama, the average median salary for financial advisors is projected at $82,688 for 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $108,537, creating a salary gap of 23.8%. The disparity between the highest and lowest paying cities is noteworthy; Dothan leads with a salary of $124,404, while Tuscaloosa offers $64,408, highlighting a difference of $60,000. This variation can be attributed to local economic conditions, cost of living, and demand for financial services. Alabama has specific state licensing requirements, including passing the necessary exams and maintaining continuing education, which shapes the qualifications of financial advisors in the region. The local scope of practice laws also factors into how advisors operate, influencing their service offerings and client interactions. As for the employment outlook, approximately 2,304 financial advisors are currently employed in the state, with an expected annual growth rate of 3.30%. This growth is driven by an increasing demand for financial planning services as more individuals seek assistance with retirement, investments, and overall financial health in a changing economy. Major cities like Montgomery, Huntsville, Birmingham, and Hoover also offer a range of salaries, with projected figures of $88,724, $87,846, $82,103, and $80,593, respectively, reflecting varying demand and competition in the financial advisory market across the state.
Alabama Financial Advisor Salary Range
Overall salary range in Alabama: $37,705 (lowest entry-level) to $475,046 (highest top earner)
Alabama vs National Average
Alabama financial advisors earn 23.82% less than the national median ($-25,850/year difference).
Alabama Financial Advisor Salary Distribution (2026)
Financial Advisor salaries in Alabama range from $42,244 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $352,487 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $82,687. The Alabama median is $25,850 below the US national median of $108,537. The average hourly rate is $39.75/hr. Approximately 2,304 financial advisors are employed across 24 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$85,453
2025 BLS Actual
$80,046
2026 Current Est.
$82,687
2019–2027 Growth
+-0.0%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Alabama (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,453 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,568 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,353 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,588 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,905 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,046 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,687 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,416 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alabama metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew -6.3% from $85,453 (2019) to $80,046 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,416 by 2027 — a total increase of $-37 (-0.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alabama 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Alabama
Lowest Paying Cities in Alabama
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa | $64,408 |
| Pelham | $73,815 |
| Florence | $74,366 |
| Albertville | $76,456 |
| Vestavia Hills | $76,629 |
Best Value Cities for Financial Advisors in Alabama
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Alabama cities offer the most purchasing power for financial advisors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dothan | $124,404 | 83.833 | $148,395 |
| Montgomery | $88,724 | 89.682 | $98,932 |
| Huntsville | $87,846 | 93.072 | $94,385 |
| Hoover | $80,593 | 87.9 | $91,687 |
| Decatur | $79,967 | 87.9 | $90,975 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Alabama
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $42,244 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $82,687 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $352,487 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Alabama metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Alabama
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dothan | $124,404 |
| 2 | Montgomery | $88,724 |
| 3 | Huntsville | $87,846 |
| 4 | Birmingham | $82,103 |
| 5 | Hoover | $80,593 |
| 6 | Decatur | $79,967 |
| 7 | Phenix City | $78,543 |
| 8 | Prattville | $78,115 |
| 9 | Auburn | $78,033 |
| 10 | Northport | $77,943 |
| 11 | Madison | $77,824 |
| 12 | Mobile | $77,537 |
| 13 | Alabaster | $77,342 |
| 14 | Daphne | $77,289 |
| 15 | Gadsden | $77,224 |
| 16 | Enterprise | $77,218 |
| 17 | Homewood | $77,119 |
| 18 | Opelika | $77,094 |
| 19 | Anniston | $76,798 |
| 20 | Vestavia Hills | $76,629 |
| 21 | Albertville | $76,456 |
| 22 | Florence | $74,366 |
| 23 | Pelham | $73,815 |
| 24 | Tuscaloosa | $64,408 |
More Alabama Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced financial advisors.
Explore More Financial Advisor Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do financial advisors make in Alabama in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for financial advisors in Alabama?
How does Alabama financial advisor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level financial advisor salary in Alabama?
How many financial advisors are employed in Alabama?
Which Alabama city offers the best value for financial advisors?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 financial advisor compensation across Alabama. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 metro areas — larger metro areas with more financial advisorscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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