Financial Advisor Salary in Denver, CO: $101,998 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Denver, CO earns a median $101,998/year (≈ $49.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Denver's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.8), that paycheck buys what $96,423 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.6% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $101,998 for financial advisors in Denver, Colorado, it becomes clear that this market is quite competitive, especially when compared to the national figure of $108,537. The salary range for financial advisors in the area varies significantly, beginning at $59,800 and reaching up to $304,497. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, projected from 2025 estimates, indicating a steady growth trajectory in the profession. In a city where the financial landscape is evolving, transitioning from traditional wirehouse roles to independent practices can substantially impact long-term compensation and job satisfaction for those in the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,800 | $28.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,496 | $32.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,998 | $49.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,004 | $75.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $304,497 | $146.40 |
Median Salary Position
6.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
In Denver, CO, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $244,697 (2026 est.). At $101,998, the local median is 6.02% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Denver: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Denver Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Denver median: $101,998/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $93,921 | +8.60% more |
| National Average | $108,537 | -6.02% less |
Financial Advisors in Denver, CO earn a median of $101,998 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.02% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 8.60% above the Colorado state average of $93,921.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denver has a cost of living 5.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denver, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.782 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,998 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,423 — a 5.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,560
2025 BLS Actual
$98,740
2026 Current Est.
$101,998
2019–2027 Growth
+15.1%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,970 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,998 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,364 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denver metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 7.8% from $91,560 (2019) to $98,740 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,364 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,804 (15.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver 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) | $59,800 – $67,496 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,496 – $101,998 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,998 – $156,004 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,004 – $304,497 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Denver
Around 4,700 financial advisors are currently employed in Denver, contributing to a robust job market despite a slightly elevated cost of living index of 105.782. This reality suggests that while compensation may be attractive, take-home purchasing power is somewhat mitigated by higher living expenses. Among the top-paying employers for financial advisors in Denver are big wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and UBS, as well as independent broker-dealers such as LPL and Raymond James. The discrepancy in pay can often be attributed to factors such as the advisor's assets under management (AUM), the structures of various compensation models—whether commission-based or fee-only—and the level of client wealth concentration. Advisors looking to maximize their earnings should consider obtaining CFP or CFA credentials and exploring opportunities in RIAs that typically cater to high-net-worth clients, as these avenues often provide greater financial incentive and growth potential.
More salary data for Denver, 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 $98,740 for financial advisorsin the Denver 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