Financial Advisor Salary in Bethesda, MD: $114,584 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Bethesda, MD earns a median $114,584/year (≈ $55.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Bethesda's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $104,834 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bethesda, Maryland, the financial advisor salary landscape is quite favorable, especially with a projected median of $114,584 for 2026. This figure represents a competitive edge over the national median of $108,537, highlighting Bethesda's appeal in the field. The salary range for financial advisors in this area varies significantly, from $66,459 at the 10th percentile to $177,606 at the 90th percentile, making it a lucrative market for both seasoned professionals and those newly entering the industry. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price differences, reflecting the strengths of Bethesda’s job market, which pair well with the growing trend of fee-only fiduciary services and the sought-after CFP credential.
About the Bethesda Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,459 | $31.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,501 | $39.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $114,584 | $55.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,668 | $70.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $177,606 | $85.39 |
Median Salary Position
5.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bethesda
In Bethesda, MD, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $111,147 (2026 est.). At $114,584, the local median is 5.57% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bethesda: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bethesda Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Bethesda median: $114,584/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bethesda Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $118,617 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | +5.57% more |
Financial Advisors in Bethesda, MD earn a median of $114,584 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.57% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 3.40% below the Maryland state average of $118,617.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bethesda has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bethesda, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $114,584 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,834 — a 8.51% reduction.
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
$92,745
2025 BLS Actual
$110,924
2026 Current Est.
$114,584
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Bethesda (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,745 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,307 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,417 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,705 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,128 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,964 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,924 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,584 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,366 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bethesda metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $92,745 (2019) to $110,924 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,366 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,621 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bethesda 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) | $66,459 – $82,501 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,501 – $114,584 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $114,584 – $146,668 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,668 – $177,606 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Bethesda
Despite a smaller workforce of only 18 financial advisors, Bethesda's financial services sector offers strong potential for earnings, enhanced by a cost-of-living index of 109.3. This suggests that while salaries may be higher, the purchasing power may be impacted by local living costs. Major employers in the region include renowned wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch, as well as independent broker-dealers and RIAs that often pay well due to their compensation structures focused on AUM models. The salary variability largely stems from factors such as assets under management, fee structures, and credential expertise like the CFP or CFA designations. For those aspiring to maximize their financial advisor pay in Bethesda, focusing on high-net-worth clients and seeking opportunities in fiduciary roles will likely yield the best results in this evolving market.
More salary data for Bethesda, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do financial advisors make in Bethesda, MD in 2026?
Is Bethesda, MD a good place to work as a financial advisor?
Can financial advisors make $100K in Bethesda?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted financial advisor salary in Bethesda?
How much does a financial advisor make per hour in Bethesda?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Maryland
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 $110,924 for financial advisorsin the Bethesda 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 Bethesda 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