Financial Advisor Salary in Arlington, MA: $128,757 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Arlington, MA earns a median $128,757/year (≈ $61.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Arlington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $118,670 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, financial advisors in Arlington, Massachusetts, can expect a median annual salary of $128,757, which positions them significantly above the national median of $108,537 by roughly 18.63%. The salary range for these professionals varies widely, with entry-level advisors earning around $74,680, while those at the higher end of the spectrum can make up to $199,574. These figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost structures, which underscore the prevailing compensation trends in the area. As the financial advice industry advances, the dichotomy between wirehouse roles and fiduciary Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) is shaping compensation packages, highlighting how various business models, particularly those based on assets under management (AUM), dictate pay scales.
About the Arlington Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($152,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,680 | $35.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,706 | $44.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,757 | $61.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,809 | $79.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,574 | $95.95 |
Median Salary Position
18.63% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington
In Arlington, MA, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,894 (2026 est.). At $128,757, the local median is 18.63% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Arlington median: $128,757/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $130,718 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | +18.63% more |
Financial Advisors in Arlington, MA earn a median of $128,757 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.63% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 1.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $130,718.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $128,757 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $118,670 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,216
2025 BLS Actual
$124,644
2026 Current Est.
$128,757
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Arlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,216 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,972 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,713 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,161 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,131 | Actual |
| 2024 | $162,462 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,644 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,757 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,006 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $104,216 (2019) to $124,644 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,006 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,790 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington 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) | $74,680 – $92,706 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,706 – $128,757 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,757 – $164,809 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,809 – $199,574 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Arlington
Despite only nine financial advisors currently employed in Arlington, the local job market remains robust, keeping pace with a cost of living index of 108.5, which impacts disposable income and purchasing power. The higher expenses can be offset by compensation, depending on the employer type. Wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch tend to pay competitive salaries, but RIAs are capturing attention with fee-only models that can yield higher earnings based on AUM and strong client relationships. The disparity in salaries can often be traced back to factors like client base composition, fee structures, credentials such as CFPs and CFAs, and the ability to attract high-net-worth clients. For those in Arlington looking to maximize earnings, it’s beneficial to focus on building a strong AUM base, pursuing advanced certifications, and considering the advantages of transitioning to a fiduciary RIA model, particularly as the industry leans more towards fee-based advisory services.
More salary data for Arlington, 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 $124,644 for financial advisorsin the Arlington 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 Arlington 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