Financial Advisor Salary in Opelika, AL: $77,094 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Opelika, AL earns a median $77,094/year (≈ $37.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Opelika's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $87,706 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the financial advisor salary in Opelika, Alabama, is projected to be around $77,094 annually, significantly lower than the national median of $108,537. This salary reflects a wide range where earnings can vary considerably, with the lower 10% earning about $44,714 and the top 10% reaching up to $119,495. Such figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variances, indicating some local nuances in compensation. The structural divide in the industry—between wirehouse firms operating on commission-based models and Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) that typically adopt an assets under management (AUM) fee model—plays a pivotal role in shaping these salaries. As the market evolves with RIAs growing at a brisk pace, understanding these dynamics becomes essential for financial professionals in Opelika.
About the Opelika Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,714 | $21.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,542 | $26.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,094 | $37.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,680 | $47.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,495 | $57.45 |
Median Salary Position
28.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Opelika
In Opelika, AL, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,781 (2026 est.). At $77,094, the local median is 28.97% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Opelika: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Opelika Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Opelika median: $77,094/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Opelika Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $79,807 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -28.97% less |
Financial Advisors in Opelika, AL earn a median of $77,094 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.97% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 3.40% below the Alabama state average of $79,807.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Opelika 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.
Opelika, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $77,094 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,706 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,400
2025 BLS Actual
$74,631
2026 Current Est.
$77,094
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Opelika (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,451 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,889 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,755 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,731 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,616 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,631 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,094 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,638 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Opelika metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $62,400 (2019) to $74,631 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,638 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,238 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Opelika 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) | $44,714 – $55,542 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,542 – $77,094 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,094 – $98,680 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,680 – $119,495 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Opelika
Despite having only seven financial advisors in the area, the job market remains stable, influenced in part by Opelika’s cost of living index of 87.9, which is below the national average. This lower cost of living can translate to greater purchasing power for financial advisors, even though their salaries lag behind national figures. Major employers in the region include wirehouses such as Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch, which may tend to offer higher compensation packages compared to smaller firms or RIAs. Variations in pay are often driven by factors such as the advisor’s book size, fee models, and additional credentials like the CFP designation, which can command a premium. For those looking to maximize their financial advisor pay in Opelika, aligning with high-net-worth clients and exploring fee-only fiduciary models might be beneficial strategies, given the regional market dynamics.
More salary data for Opelika, 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 $74,631 for financial advisorsin the Opelika 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 Opelika 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