Financial Advisor Salary in Kentucky: $75,883 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kentucky's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median financial advisor pay sits at $75,883/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 13-2052. Because Kentucky sits at BEA RPP 89.3 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $84,975 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Louisville ($79,020), Lexington ($74,260), Ashland ($73,332).
In 2026, financial advisors in Kentucky can expect an average median salary of $75,883, reflecting a significant gap of 30.1% below the national median of $108,537. The highest salaries are found in Louisville, averaging $81,628, while Murray offers the lowest at $70,028, showcasing a difference of $11,600. This disparity primarily arises from economic conditions, local demand for financial services, and the varying clientele size and needs across regions. Kentucky requires financial advisors to obtain state-specific licensing, which adheres to both federal and state regulations. The scope of practice laws dictate the extent of services advisors can provide, influencing potential earnings. With an annual growth rate of 3.30%, the job market for financial advisors in the state is projected to strengthen, driven by the ongoing need for financial planning and investment management as individuals seek guidance for retirement and wealth accumulation. Top cities for employment in Kentucky forecast salaries of $76,711 in Lexington, $75,752 in Ashland, $75,161 in Louisville/Jefferson County, and $74,872 in Paducah. Overall, the financial advisory landscape in Kentucky presents a variety of opportunities tempered by regional economic conditions and competition.
Kentucky Financial Advisor Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kentucky: $35,298 (lowest entry-level) to $249,748 (highest top earner)
Kentucky vs National Average
Kentucky financial advisors earn 30.09% less than the national median ($-32,654/year difference).
Kentucky Financial Advisor Salary Distribution (2026)
Financial Advisor salaries in Kentucky range from $45,162 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $222,504 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $75,883. The Kentucky median is $32,654 below the US national median of $108,537. The average hourly rate is $36.48/hr. Approximately 1,193 financial advisors are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$82,635
2025 BLS Actual
$73,459
2026 Current Est.
$75,883
2019–2027 Growth
+-5.1%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Kentucky (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,635 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,644 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,204 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,752 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,206 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,726 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,459 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,883 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,388 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentucky metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew -11.1% from $82,635 (2019) to $73,459 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,388 by 2027 — a total increase of $-4,247 (-5.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kentucky 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kentucky
Lowest Paying Cities in Kentucky
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Murray | $70,028 |
| Jeffersontown | $71,078 |
| Madisonville | $71,329 |
| Georgetown | $71,594 |
| Bowling Green | $71,721 |
Best Value Cities for Financial Advisors in Kentucky
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kentucky cities offer the most purchasing power for financial advisors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $81,628 | 89.3 | $91,409 |
| Paducah | $74,872 | 86.084 | $86,976 |
| Ashland | $75,752 | 89.3 | $84,829 |
| Owensboro | $74,820 | 88.61 | $84,437 |
| Independence | $74,279 | 89.3 | $83,179 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kentucky
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $45,162 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $75,883 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $222,504 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kentucky metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Kentucky
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville | $81,628 |
| 2 | Lexington | $76,711 |
| 3 | Ashland | $75,752 |
| 4 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $75,161 |
| 5 | Paducah | $74,872 |
| 6 | Owensboro | $74,820 |
| 7 | Independence | $74,279 |
| 8 | Florence | $74,191 |
| 9 | Covington | $73,878 |
| 10 | Nicholasville | $73,739 |
| 11 | Richmond | $73,721 |
| 12 | Frankfort | $73,343 |
| 13 | Henderson | $73,221 |
| 14 | Elizabethtown | $73,168 |
| 15 | Hopkinsville | $72,960 |
| 16 | Radcliff | $71,846 |
| 17 | Bowling Green | $71,721 |
| 18 | Georgetown | $71,594 |
| 19 | Madisonville | $71,329 |
| 20 | Jeffersontown | $71,078 |
| 21 | Murray | $70,028 |
More Kentucky Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore financial advisor hourly pay in Kentucky cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced financial advisors.
Explore More Financial Advisor Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do financial advisors make in Kentucky in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for financial advisors in Kentucky?
How does Kentucky financial advisor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level financial advisor salary in Kentucky?
How many financial advisors are employed in Kentucky?
Which Kentucky city offers the best value for financial advisors?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.30% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 financial advisor compensation across Kentucky. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more financial advisorscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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