Financial Advisor Salary in South Bend, IN: $76,969 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in South Bend, IN earns a median $76,969/year (≈ $37.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in South Bend's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $82,889 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, financial advisors in South Bend, Indiana, can expect a median annual salary of $76,969, which reflects a notable decline when compared to the national median of $108,537. The salary range for this profession is broad, starting at $45,039 at the 10th percentile and reaching up to $211,476 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, indicate both the earning potential and varied compensation levels available in the South Bend market. As the financial advisory landscape continues to evolve, the trend toward fee-only, fiduciary practices is gaining traction, potentially influencing compensation structures and creating new opportunities for advisors with certified financial planner (CFP) credentials.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,039 | $21.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,970 | $24.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,969 | $37.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $139,186 | $66.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $211,476 | $101.67 |
Median Salary Position
29.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Bend
In South Bend, IN, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $166,437 (2026 est.). At $76,969, the local median is 29.09% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Bend: You'd be in the entry-level range
How South Bend Financial Advisor Pay Compares
South Bend median: $76,969/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Bend Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $81,020 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -29.09% less |
Financial Advisors in South Bend, IN earn a median of $76,969 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.09% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 5.00% below the Indiana state average of $81,020.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Bend has a cost of living 7.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Bend, IN has a cost-of-living index of 92.858 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $76,969 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,889 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,030
2025 BLS Actual
$74,510
2026 Current Est.
$76,969
2019–2027 Growth
+-11.7%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in South Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,969 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,509 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Bend metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew -17.2% from $90,030 (2019) to $74,510 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,509 by 2027 — a total increase of $-10,521 (-11.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Bend 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) | $45,039 – $51,970 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,970 – $76,969 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,969 – $139,186 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $139,186 – $211,476 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in South Bend
In South Bend, approximately 220 financial advisors are actively engaged in the local job market, which is further underscored by a cost-of-living index of 92.858—suggesting that living expenses are below the national average. This economic environment likely enhances the take-home purchasing power for advisors, making the financial advisor pay in South Bend IN relatively attractive despite the lower salary figures compared to the national median. Among local employers, wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch typically offer higher salaries, while independent Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) are experiencing growth that reflects the shifting industry paradigm toward fiduciary services. The disparity in pay can often be attributed to various factors, including AUM (assets under management), fee structures, and the concentration of high-net-worth clients, which can boost earnings significantly for those with solid roots in the community. To maximize income, advisors should consider pursuing CFP credentials, establishing a robust client base, or transitioning to fee-only firms where compensation can align more closely with service value rather than commission.
More salary data for South Bend, IN:
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 $74,510 for financial advisorsin the South Bend 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