Financial Advisor Salary in Benton, AR: $72,236 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Benton, AR earns a median $72,236/year (≈ $34.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Benton's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $83,125 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median financial advisor salary in Benton, AR is projected to be $72,236, reflecting a significant gap compared to the national median of $108,537. The local salary range spans from $41,896 at the 10th percentile to $111,965 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the disparities within the field. These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments. The ongoing bifurcation in the financial services industry, particularly between wirehouse firms and registered investment advisors (RIAs), heavily influences these numbers. The AUM-based compensation model common at RIAs contrasts with commission structures prevalent in wirehouses, contributing to fluctuations in financial advisor pay in Benton AR and shaping an evolving employment landscape.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,896 | $20.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,009 | $25.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,236 | $34.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,462 | $44.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,965 | $53.83 |
Median Salary Position
33.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Benton
In Benton, AR, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,069 (2026 est.). At $72,236, the local median is 33.45% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Benton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Benton Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Benton median: $72,236/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Benton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $73,710 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -33.45% less |
Financial Advisors in Benton, AR earn a median of $72,236 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.45% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 2.00% below the Arkansas state average of $73,710.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Benton has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Benton, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $72,236 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,125 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,467
2025 BLS Actual
$69,928
2026 Current Est.
$72,236
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Benton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,467 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,452 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,674 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,486 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,274 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,403 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,928 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,236 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,619 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Benton metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $58,467 (2019) to $69,928 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,619 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,152 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Benton 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) | $41,896 – $52,009 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,009 – $72,236 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,236 – $92,462 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,462 – $111,965 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Benton
Despite the modest size of the local financial advisory workforce, with five advisors currently employed in Benton, the area benefits from a lower cost of living index of 86.9. This index suggests that take-home pay may stretch further than in regions with higher living costs. Wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch typically offer more significant compensation packages than other firms, although RIAs can attract top talent through fiduciary practices and client-centered fee models. High pay often correlates with assets under management (AUM), qualifications such as CFP or CFA certifications, and client retention rates. To maximize financial advisor pay in Benton, advisors should consider specializing in services that appeal to high-net-worth clients and develop strong AUM-focused strategies, as these factors contribute significantly to higher earnings potential in this market.
More salary data for Benton, AR:
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 $69,928 for financial advisorsin the Benton 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 Benton 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