Financial Advisor Salary in Council Bluffs, IA: $91,733 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Council Bluffs, IA earns a median $91,733/year (≈ $44.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Council Bluffs's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $101,475 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, financial advisors in Council Bluffs can expect a median annual salary of $91,733, representing a notable difference from the national median of $108,537. This local compensation ranges between $53,206 at the 10th percentile and $142,187 at the 90th percentile, reflecting variability in experience and specialization within the field. These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price differences. Council Bluffs presents a job market for financial advisors that allows for diverse career paths, especially as the industry witnesses an ongoing transition toward independence and fiduciary accountability, enabling advisors to grow their long-term compensation as they break away from traditional wirehouse models.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,206 | $25.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,048 | $31.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,733 | $44.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117,419 | $56.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $142,187 | $68.36 |
Median Salary Position
15.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, IA, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,981 (2026 est.). At $91,733, the local median is 15.48% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Council Bluffs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Council Bluffs Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Council Bluffs median: $91,733/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Council Bluffs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $94,962 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -15.48% less |
Financial Advisors in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $91,733 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.48% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $94,962.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Council Bluffs has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Council Bluffs, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $91,733 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,475 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,249
2025 BLS Actual
$88,803
2026 Current Est.
$91,733
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,249 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,591 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,622 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,163 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,825 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,803 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,733 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,761 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $74,249 (2019) to $88,803 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,761 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,512 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs 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) | $53,206 – $66,048 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,048 – $91,733 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,733 – $117,419 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $117,419 – $142,187 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, there are currently 12 financial advisors employed, which suggests a tight-knit professional community. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, the area offers a slightly lower living expense compared to national averages, enhancing the overall purchasing power for those in the profession. Notably, top-paying employers in the region include wirehouse firms like Morgan Stanley and UBS, alongside independent entities such as LPL Financial and fee-only Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs). The disparity in pay can often be traced to factors like assets under management (AUM) and whether advisors operate on commission or fees, with higher valuations often found in RIAs that employ a fiduciary model. For those looking to optimize financial advisor pay in Council Bluffs, cultivating strong client relationships and achieving CFP or CFA credentials can significantly contribute to career advancement and higher earnings.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, 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 $88,803 for financial advisorsin the Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs 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