Financial Advisor Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA: $96,400 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Cedar Rapids, IA earns a median $96,400/year (≈ $46.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Cedar Rapids's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.0), that paycheck buys what $108,360 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Cedar Rapids offers financial advisors a median annual salary of $96,400, which falls below the national average of $108,537. The salary range reflects significant disparity, with entry-level positions earning approximately $53,530 while top earners can make as much as $317,441. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlight the differing compensation models in the industry. Advisors working in wirehouses may typically earn commissions based on product sales, while those affiliated with Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) often benefit from an assets-under-management (AUM) fee model. This structural divide in compensation can greatly influence what professionals earn in Cedar Rapids's evolving financial market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,530 | $25.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,031 | $34.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,400 | $46.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,177 | $74.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $317,441 | $152.62 |
Median Salary Position
11.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Rapids
In Cedar Rapids, IA, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $263,911 (2026 est.). At $96,400, the local median is 11.18% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Rapids: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Cedar Rapids Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Cedar Rapids median: $96,400/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $94,975 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $108,537 | -11.18% less |
Financial Advisors in Cedar Rapids, IA earn a median of $96,400 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.18% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 1.50% above the Iowa state average of $94,975.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Rapids has a cost of living 11.04% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cedar Rapids, IA has a cost-of-living index of 88.963 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $96,400 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,360 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,890
2025 BLS Actual
$93,320
2026 Current Est.
$96,400
2019–2027 Growth
+162.8%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Cedar Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,400 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,581 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 146.3% from $37,890 (2019) to $93,320 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,581 by 2027 — a total increase of $61,691 (162.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Rapids 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) | $53,530 – $72,031 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,031 – $96,400 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,400 – $155,177 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,177 – $317,441 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Cedar Rapids
In Cedar Rapids, IA, the job market has approximately 250 financial advisors, reflecting a healthy demand for this profession in the region. The cost of living index stands at 88.963, indicating that while salaries may seem lower than the national average, the purchasing power for those in the area remains stable. Major employers in the city, such as Merrill Lynch and LPL Financial, are known to offer competitive salaries, especially for advisors who possess CFP or CFA credentials. The variation in financial advisor pay in Cedar Rapids arises from several factors, including the fee structure—1% AUM for RIAs versus commissions at wirehouses—and client concentration in high-net-worth segments. To maximize earnings, advisors should consider focusing on building a robust AUM base or transitioning to a fiduciary model, which is increasingly favored by clients seeking long-term financial advice.
More salary data for Cedar Rapids, IA:
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 $93,320 for financial advisorsin the Cedar Rapids 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