Financial Advisor Salary in Decatur, AL: $79,967 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Decatur, AL earns a median $79,967/year (≈ $38.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $90,975 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Decatur, Alabama, showcases a promising outlook for financial advisors, with an estimated median annual salary of $79,967 projected for 2026. This figure reflects a significant deviation from the national median of $108,537, indicating that financial advisor pay in Decatur is about 26.32% lower than the broader market. The salary range for financial advisors spans from $46,381 at the 10th percentile to $123,949 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating a diversity of compensation based on experience, client base, and employment structure. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional pricing, paint a picture of an evolving job market, particularly as the fiduciary fee-only model gains traction in the area alongside increasing demand for Certified Financial Planners (CFP).
About the Decatur Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,381 | $22.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,576 | $27.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,967 | $38.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,357 | $49.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,949 | $59.59 |
Median Salary Position
26.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, AL, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,568 (2026 est.). At $79,967, the local median is 26.32% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Decatur Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Decatur median: $79,967/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $79,807 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $108,537 | -26.32% less |
Financial Advisors in Decatur, AL earn a median of $79,967 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.32% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 0.20% above the Alabama state average of $79,807.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $79,967 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,975 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,450
2025 BLS Actual
$77,412
2026 Current Est.
$79,967
2019–2027 Growth
+32.3%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,367 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,412 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,967 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,605 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 24.0% from $62,450 (2019) to $77,412 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,605 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,155 (32.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $46,381 – $57,576 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,576 – $79,967 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,967 – $102,357 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,357 – $123,949 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Decatur
Despite its lower salary in comparison to national averages, Decatur's cost of living index stands at 87.9, suggesting a favorable environment for financial advisors regarding purchasing power. Currently, there are nine financial advisors working in Decatur, which may indicate a tight-knit community of professionals. Employers such as independent broker-dealers and registered investment advisors may offer competitive salaries, particularly to those with CFP credentials, as they are increasingly focusing on fee-only models that prioritize fiduciary responsibility. Factors influencing the wide salary range include the advisor's assets under management (AUM), the fee structures used, and the client demographics. Advisors aiming to increase their earnings should focus on cultivating high-net-worth clients, maximizing their AUM, and considering a transition toward fee-only advisory practices as the local market reflects a shift towards sustainable and fiduciary financial planning methods.
More salary data for Decatur, AL:
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $77,412 for financial advisorsin the Decatur metropolitan area. A 3.30% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Decatur 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