Financial Advisor Salary in Boulder, CO: $85,811 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Boulder, CO earns a median $85,811/year (≈ $41.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Boulder's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.2), that paycheck buys what $81,568 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.6% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Boulder, Colorado, the projected median annual salary for financial advisors in 2026 is $85,811, signaling a unique positioning within the broader job market. Comparatively, this figure trails the national median of $108,537 by over 20%, suggesting that local compensation may reflect the region's cost structure and economic dynamics. With a salary range from $58,664 at the lower percentile to $183,812 at the upper echelon, financial advisors operating in Boulder can experience a significant variance in compensation based on their business model, client base, and individual performance. This data is derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, revealing insights into the region's evolving economic landscape and the potential financial advisory career trajectories available to professionals in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,664 | $28.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,133 | $29.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,811 | $41.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $123,950 | $59.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,812 | $88.37 |
Median Salary Position
20.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boulder
In Boulder, CO, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,148 (2026 est.). At $85,811, the local median is 20.94% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Boulder: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Boulder Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Boulder median: $85,811/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boulder Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $93,885 | -8.60% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -20.94% less |
Financial Advisors in Boulder, CO earn a median of $85,811 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.94% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 8.60% below the Colorado state average of $93,885.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boulder has a cost of living 5.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boulder, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.202 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,811 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $81,568 — a 4.94% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,130
2025 BLS Actual
$83,070
2026 Current Est.
$85,811
2019–2027 Growth
+-20.2%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Boulder (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,811 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,643 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boulder metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew -25.2% from $111,130 (2019) to $83,070 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,643 by 2027 — a total increase of $-22,487 (-20.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boulder 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) | $58,664 – $61,133 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,133 – $85,811 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,811 – $123,950 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $123,950 – $183,812 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Boulder
Analyzing the local job market, Boulder currently employs around 610 financial advisors, indicating a robust demand for wealth management services in the area. Given the high cost of living index at 105.202, advisors may need to focus on maximizing their take-home pay to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. Compensation in Boulder can vary significantly among employers, with wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch often offering higher starting salaries due to commission-based structures. In contrast, independent broker-dealers and fee-only fiduciaries can provide more sustainable long-term earnings through AUM-based fee models, though they may require substantial initial investments in client relationships. The difference in pay arises from factors such as book size, client wealth concentration, and credentials like CFP and CFA designations. For those looking to optimize their earnings in Boulder, targeting high-net-worth clients and pursuing advanced certifications can be effective strategies, reflecting the nuances of financial advisor pay in Boulder, CO.
More salary data for Boulder, CO:
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 $83,070 for financial advisorsin the Boulder 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