Financial Advisor Salary in Fresno, CA: $103,548 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Fresno, CA earns a median $103,548/year (≈ $49.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Fresno's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 102.2), that paycheck buys what $101,361 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.2% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Fresno, California, presents an intriguing financial advisory landscape, offering a median annual salary of $103,548 for financial advisors, slightly below the national median of $108,537. The compensation range is substantial, with earnings from $62,662 on the lower end to as much as $260,905 for those at the top tier. These figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, reflect a market where the commission-based structures of traditional wirehouses and the more transparent, fee-only models of Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) often dictate financial advisor pay in Fresno CA. As the industry continues to evolve, an increasing number of advisors may seek fiduciary commitments that not only align with regulatory standards but also enhance their earning potential, shaping the local job market for the foreseeable future.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,662 | $30.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,996 | $38.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,548 | $49.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,473 | $76.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $260,905 | $125.44 |
Median Salary Position
4.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fresno
In Fresno, CA, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $198,243 (2026 est.). At $103,548, the local median is 4.6% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fresno: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Fresno Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Fresno median: $103,548/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fresno Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $115,309 | -10.20% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -4.60% less |
Financial Advisors in Fresno, CA earn a median of $103,548 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.60% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 10.20% below the California state average of $115,309.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fresno has a cost of living 2.16% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fresno, CA has a cost-of-living index of 102.158 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $103,548 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,361 — a 2.11% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,380
2025 BLS Actual
$100,240
2026 Current Est.
$103,548
2019–2027 Growth
+74.3%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Fresno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,548 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,965 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fresno metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 63.3% from $61,380 (2019) to $100,240 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,965 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,585 (74.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fresno 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) | $62,662 – $79,996 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,996 – $103,548 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,548 – $158,473 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,473 – $260,905 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Fresno
With 200 financial advisors currently in the Fresno area, the job market shows a steady growth rate of 3.30% annually, marking it as a resilient sector. Advising in an environment with a cost-of-living index of 102.158 means that while salaries are competitive, purchasing power may still be challenged. Wirehouses like Merrill Lynch and UBS are notable for potentially offering higher salaries compared to RIAs and independent broker-dealers, emphasizing the variance in compensation tied to the assets under management (AUM) basis versus commission arrangements. Various factors contribute to pay disparities, with credentialing (CFP or CFA) and high-net-worth (HNW) client portfolios typically leading to elevated earnings. Advisors aiming to maximize their financial advisor pay in Fresno should focus on developing a robust client base and pursuing fiduciary relationships that promote fee-for-service structures, allowing them to capitalize on the growing demand for transparent financial services amidst evolving market dynamics.
More salary data for Fresno, CA:
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 $100,240 for financial advisorsin the Fresno 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
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