Financial Advisor Salary in Meridian, ID: $76,945 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Meridian, ID earns a median $76,945/year (≈ $36.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Meridian's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $80,740 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Meridian, ID, financial advisors can expect a median annual salary of $76,945 in 2026, reflecting a significant gap compared to the national average of $108,537. This salary range varies considerably, from a projected $44,628 at the lower end (P10) to as much as $119,265 for top earners (P90). These figures are based on 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, adjusted for regional costs, illustrating how the structural divide between wirehouse and Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) can impact compensation. Advisors who operate within the AUM model often earn more due to their fee structure, contrasting with commission-based compensation found in wirehouse roles. The local job market offers opportunities within this context, but the pay dynamics highlight the importance of the advisor's business model and client base.
About the Meridian Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,628 | $21.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,401 | $26.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,945 | $36.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,489 | $47.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,265 | $57.34 |
Median Salary Position
29.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Meridian
In Meridian, ID, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,637 (2026 est.). At $76,945, the local median is 29.11% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Meridian: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Meridian Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Meridian median: $76,945/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Meridian Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $76,639 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $108,537 | -29.11% less |
Financial Advisors in Meridian, ID earn a median of $76,945 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.11% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 0.40% above the Idaho state average of $76,639.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Meridian has a cost of living 4.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Meridian, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $76,945 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,740 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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
$62,279
2025 BLS Actual
$74,487
2026 Current Est.
$76,945
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Meridian (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,279 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,328 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,625 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,595 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,438 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,487 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,945 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,484 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Meridian metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $62,279 (2019) to $74,487 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,484 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,205 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Meridian 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) | $44,628 – $55,401 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,401 – $76,945 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,945 – $98,489 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,489 – $119,265 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Meridian
In this expanding market, 30 financial advisors are currently employed in Meridian, suggesting a relatively stable job environment for the profession. With a cost-of-living index of 95.3, residents may experience improved purchasing power, making the financial advisor pay in Meridian competitive. Major employers like Morgan Stanley and UBS typically offer the highest compensation, driven by their commission structures, while RIAs may attract talent through equity partnerships and fiduciary offerings that appeal to high-net-worth clients. Factors influencing the notable pay differences include AUM book size, fee structures, and valuable credentials like the CFP or CFA. Aspiring financial advisors should cultivate robust client relationships, develop deep expertise in niche markets, and consider transitioning from wirehouses to RIAs in order to maximize their earning potential in Meridian.
More salary data for Meridian, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do financial advisors make in Meridian, ID in 2026?
Is Meridian, ID a good place to work as a financial advisor?
Can financial advisors make $100K in Meridian?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted financial advisor salary in Meridian?
How much does a financial advisor make per hour in Meridian?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $74,487 for financial advisorsin the Meridian 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 Meridian 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