Financial Advisor Salary in Amherst, MA: $129,518 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Amherst, MA earns a median $129,518/year (≈ $62.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Amherst's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $119,371 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For financial advisors operating in Amherst, Massachusetts, the projections for 2026 indicate a median annual salary of $129,518, significantly exceeding the national median of $108,537. The anticipated salary range is quite broad, spanning from $75,120 at the 10th percentile (P10) to $200,752 at the 90th percentile (P90). These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for regional price disparities. Such numbers reflect a market in which independent financial advisors may find considerable long-term compensation growth, particularly as the profession increasingly leans toward fiduciary models that emphasize client-centric advice over commission-based structures. This evolving landscape indicates a dynamic job market where advisers experienced in transitioning from wirehouses to independent roles may benefit the most.
About the Amherst Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($152,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,120 | $36.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,510 | $45.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,518 | $62.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,782 | $79.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,752 | $96.51 |
Median Salary Position
19.33% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Amherst
In Amherst, MA, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,632 (2026 est.). At $129,518, the local median is 19.33% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Amherst: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Amherst Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Amherst median: $129,518/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Amherst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $130,694 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | +19.33% more |
Financial Advisors in Amherst, MA earn a median of $129,518 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.33% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 0.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $130,694.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Amherst has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Amherst, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $129,518 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $119,371 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,831
2025 BLS Actual
$125,380
2026 Current Est.
$129,518
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Amherst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,831 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,597 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,373 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,829 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,829 | Actual |
| 2024 | $163,421 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,518 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,792 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Amherst metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $104,831 (2019) to $125,380 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,792 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,961 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Amherst 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) | $75,120 – $94,510 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,510 – $129,518 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,518 – $165,782 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,782 – $200,752 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Amherst
With only six financial advisors currently employed in the Amherst area, the local job market appears unique but small. The cost-of-living index of 108.5 suggests that earning potential should factor in local living expenses, which can impact the real value of salaries here. Employers offering lucrative opportunities include wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch, as well as independent broker-dealers such as LPL and Raymond James. The disparity in pay can be attributed to various factors, including the complexity of an advisor’s compensation model—those operating within AUM structures at RIAs often earn more than peers in commission-based environments. For financial advisors looking to maximize their earnings potential in Amherst, strategies may involve acquiring advanced certifications like the CFP or CFA, building substantial AUMs, or developing high-net-worth client relationships to command higher fees and direct equity partnership opportunities within their firms.
More salary data for Amherst, MA:
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 $125,380 for financial advisorsin the Amherst 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 Amherst 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