Financial Advisor Salary in San Diego, CA: $134,631 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in San Diego, CA earns a median $134,631/year (≈ $64.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in San Diego's price level (12% above national, BEA RPP 111.9), that paycheck buys what $120,328 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.8% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Financial advisors in San Diego are projected to earn a median annual salary of $134,631 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $108,537 by 24.04%. The salary range for these professionals is broad, spanning from $70,905 at the 10th percentile to $418,923 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial earnings potential for those who excel in the field. This data, derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects the growing trend towards fee-only fiduciary practices and the increasing demand for certified financial planners. As more clients seek personalized financial guidance, the role of a financial advisor in San Diego becomes increasingly valuable, contributing to a robust job market for this profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,905 | $34.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,703 | $47.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,631 | $64.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $195,950 | $94.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $418,923 | $201.40 |
Median Salary Position
24.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Diego
In San Diego, CA, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $348,018 (2026 est.). At $134,631, the local median is 24.04% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Diego: You'd be in the entry-level range
How San Diego Financial Advisor Pay Compares
San Diego median: $134,631/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Diego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $115,266 | +16.80% more |
| National Average | $108,537 | +24.04% more |
Financial Advisors in San Diego, CA earn a median of $134,631 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.04% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 16.80% above the California state average of $115,266.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Diego has a cost of living 11.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Diego, CA has a cost-of-living index of 111.887 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $134,631 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $120,328 — a 10.62% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,720
2025 BLS Actual
$130,330
2026 Current Est.
$134,631
2019–2027 Growth
+20.2%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,631 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,074 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Diego metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 12.6% from $115,720 (2019) to $130,330 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,074 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,354 (20.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Diego 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) | $70,905 – $98,703 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,703 – $134,631 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,631 – $195,950 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $195,950 – $418,923 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in San Diego
In San Diego, approximately 3,010 financial advisors are employed, reflecting a strong demand in a market where the cost of living index stands at 111.887. This higher index suggests that while salaries may be elevated, the purchasing power may be affected, emphasizing the importance of compensation packages that align with local living costs. Among the notable employers, wirehouses such as Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch typically offer competitive salaries, but independent broker-dealers like LPL and Raymond James are gaining ground due to their focus on fiduciary models and advisor empowerment. The variation in financial advisor pay in San Diego can be attributed to factors such as assets under management (AUM) and the fee structure; RIAs often operate on a 1% AUM model, while wirehouses may rely more on commissions. To maximize earnings, aspiring financial advisors should focus on acquiring credentials like the CFP designation, building a solid book of business, and considering shifts toward the fee-only model to access high-net-worth clients.
More salary data for San Diego, 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 $130,330 for financial advisorsin the San Diego 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