Financial Advisor Salary in Clearwater, FL: $85,875 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Clearwater, FL earns a median $85,875/year (≈ $41.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Clearwater's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $85,193 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.6% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Clearwater, Florida, financial advisors can anticipate a median annual salary of $85,875 in 2026, a figure that reflects regional adjustments based on state-level data and local economic conditions. The salary range extends from $49,808 at the 10th percentile to $133,107 at the 90th percentile, revealing the significant income potential within the profession. However, it’s essential to note that Clearwater's financial advisor compensation lags behind the national median of $108,537, highlighting the impact of the area’s economic structure. The differences in earning capacities within this market primarily stem from the contrasting business models used by wirehouses versus Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs), with assets under management being a central factor in shaping pay levels.
About the Clearwater Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,808 | $23.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,830 | $29.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,875 | $41.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,920 | $52.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,107 | $63.99 |
Median Salary Position
20.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clearwater
In Clearwater, FL, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,299 (2026 est.). At $85,875, the local median is 20.88% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clearwater: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clearwater Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Clearwater median: $85,875/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clearwater Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $99,393 | -13.60% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -20.88% less |
Financial Advisors in Clearwater, FL earn a median of $85,875 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.88% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 13.60% below the Florida state average of $99,393.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clearwater has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clearwater, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,875 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $85,193 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,507
2025 BLS Actual
$83,132
2026 Current Est.
$85,875
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Clearwater (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,507 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,678 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,508 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,473 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,788 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,687 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,132 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,875 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,709 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clearwater metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $69,507 (2019) to $83,132 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,709 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,202 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clearwater 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) | $49,808 – $61,830 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,830 – $85,875 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,875 – $109,920 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,920 – $133,107 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Clearwater
With only 19 financial advisors operating in Clearwater, the local job market remains relatively limited, but the cost-of-living index shows a slight elevation at 100.8 compared to the national average. This dynamic affects take-home purchasing power, making salary negotiations and compensation strategy crucial for success. Notably, wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch typically offer higher salaries than independent firms or RIAs, largely due to their commission-based structures, while RIAs, which often employ an AUM-based fee model, provide consistent revenue potential tied to client assets. Factors such as financial credentials—particularly the CFP and CFA designations—significantly influence income; advisors with these certifications can command premium compensation in Clearwater. To maximize pay, emerging financial advisors should focus on building a strong client base and considering affiliation with high-performing firms, especially in a competitive environment where high-net-worth clientele can dramatically affect earnings potential.
More salary data for Clearwater, FL:
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 $83,132 for financial advisorsin the Clearwater 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 Clearwater 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