Financial Advisor Salary in Hilo, HI: $122,873 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Hilo, HI earns a median $122,873/year (≈ $59.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Hilo's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $102,995 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Hilo, Hawaii, financial advisors can expect to earn a median annual salary of $122,873 in 2026, indicative of the growing trend towards fiduciary fee-only advisory services. This compensation is notably above the national median of $108,537, showcasing a 13.21% premium on financial advisor pay in Hilo, HI. The salary range for this occupation spans from $71,267 at the 10th percentile to $190,453 for those at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse market that accommodates both early-career advisors and seasoned professionals with established client bases. The estimates referenced are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price levels, emphasizing the unique economic landscape of this island community where cost of living contrasts sharply with mainland averages.
About the Hilo Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,267 | $34.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,469 | $42.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $122,873 | $59.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,277 | $75.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $190,453 | $91.57 |
Median Salary Position
13.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hilo
In Hilo, HI, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $119,186 (2026 est.). At $122,873, the local median is 13.21% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hilo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hilo Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Hilo median: $122,873/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hilo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $129,477 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | +13.21% more |
Financial Advisors in Hilo, HI earn a median of $122,873 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.21% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 5.10% below the Hawaii state average of $129,477.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hilo has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hilo, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $122,873 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $102,995 — a 16.18% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$99,454
2025 BLS Actual
$118,948
2026 Current Est.
$122,873
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Hilo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,454 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,129 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,608 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,989 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,733 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,264 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,948 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,873 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $126,928 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hilo metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $99,454 (2019) to $118,948 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $126,928 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,474 (27.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hilo 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) | $71,267 – $88,469 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,469 – $122,873 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $122,873 – $157,277 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,277 – $190,453 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Hilo
The narrow employment pool in Hilo, where only seven financial advisors are actively employed, indicates a tight labor market that can impact salary dynamics. With a cost-of-living index of 119.3, local professionals must consider how housing and everyday expenses may affect take-home pay and purchasing power. In Hilo, the highest salaries tend to be associated with wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch, although independent firms and Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) may offer competitive compensation, particularly for advisors focusing on high-net-worth clients. Factors influencing the wide salary range include the advisor's assets under management (AUM), whether they follow a fee-only model, the level of their professional credentials like CFP or CFA, and the nature of their clientele. To maximize earnings in this specific market, aspiring financial advisors should focus on building expertise in fiduciary practices, cultivating high-value client relationships, and exploring avenues for leveraging their CFP designation to command higher fees.
More salary data for Hilo, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do financial advisors make in Hilo, HI in 2026?
Is Hilo, HI a good place to work as a financial advisor?
Can financial advisors make $100K in Hilo?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted financial advisor salary in Hilo?
How much does a financial advisor make per hour in Hilo?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Hawaii
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 $118,948 for financial advisorsin the Hilo 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 Hilo 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