Financial Advisor Salary in Oakland, CA: $169,686 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Oakland, CA earns a median $169,686/year (≈ $81.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Oakland's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $150,032 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 47.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oakland, California, financial advisors command a median annual salary of $169,686 as of 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $108,537. The local salary range is also noteworthy, with figures stretching from $98,418 at the 10th percentile to as high as $263,013 at the 90th percentile. These projections are drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, which reflect Oakland's pricing environment. The increasing trend towards fiduciary, fee-only services has fueled salary growth in this sector, highlighting a market in transition where certified financial planners (CFPs) are more highly valued.
About the Oakland Market
Salary estimated from California average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,418 | $47.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $122,174 | $58.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $169,686 | $81.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $217,198 | $104.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $263,013 | $126.45 |
Median Salary Position
56.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oakland
In Oakland, CA, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $164,595 (2026 est.). At $169,686, the local median is 56.34% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oakland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oakland Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Oakland median: $169,686/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oakland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $115,276 | +47.20% more |
| National Average | $108,537 | +56.34% more |
Financial Advisors in Oakland, CA earn a median of $169,686 per year (2026 est.), which is 56.34% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 47.20% above the California state average of $115,276.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oakland has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oakland, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $169,686 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $150,032 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$137,343
2025 BLS Actual
$164,265
2026 Current Est.
$169,686
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Oakland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $137,343 | Actual |
| 2020 | $139,657 | Actual |
| 2021 | $147,224 | Actual |
| 2022 | $149,131 | Actual |
| 2023 | $155,682 | Actual |
| 2024 | $170,041 | Actual |
| 2025 | $164,265 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $169,686 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,285 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oakland metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $137,343 (2019) to $164,265 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $175,285 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,942 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oakland 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) | $98,418 – $122,174 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $122,174 – $169,686 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $169,686 – $217,198 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $217,198 – $263,013 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Oakland
With 78 financial advisors currently working in the area, Oakland's job market demonstrates solid demand despite a competitive landscape. The cost-of-living index of 113.1 indicates that expenses are above the national average, directly impacting take-home pay and purchasing power for financial professionals. Employers like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch are among the highest payers in the region, while registered investment advisors (RIAs) tend to offer competitive compensation structures driven by AUM models. The wide disparity in earnings typically results from factors such as client concentration, fee structures, and additional incentives for advisors with CFP or CFA credentials. To maximize earnings in Oakland, professionals should focus on building a robust book of business, considering the lucrative RIA pathways, and continuously enhancing their qualifications to leverage the growing demand for fiduciary financial guidance.
More salary data for Oakland, 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 $164,265 for financial advisorsin the Oakland 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 Oakland 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