Financial Advisor Salary in Pontiac, MI: $87,880 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Pontiac, MI earns a median $87,880/year (≈ $42.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Pontiac's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $94,292 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For financial advisors in Pontiac, MI, the projected median annual salary is $87,880 in 2026, reflecting a significant gap when compared to the national median of $108,537. The salary range for this profession locally spans from $50,970 at the 10th percentile to $136,214 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse earning potential based on experience, credentialing, and client base. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, indicate that financial advisors who hold the CFP credential may command higher salaries, driven by a growing trend towards fee-only fiduciary practices that emphasize client interests over commission-based sales. Pontiac’s relatively compact market for financial advisors presents both challenges and opportunities, especially for those who can navigate the shifting dynamics between wirehouse and RIA models effectively.
About the Pontiac Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,970 | $24.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,274 | $30.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,880 | $42.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,486 | $54.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136,214 | $65.49 |
Median Salary Position
19.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pontiac
In Pontiac, MI, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,244 (2026 est.). At $87,880, the local median is 19.03% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pontiac: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pontiac Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Pontiac median: $87,880/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pontiac Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $90,974 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -19.03% less |
Financial Advisors in Pontiac, MI earn a median of $87,880 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.03% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 3.40% below the Michigan state average of $90,974.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pontiac has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pontiac, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $87,880 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,292 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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
$71,130
2025 BLS Actual
$85,073
2026 Current Est.
$87,880
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Pontiac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,329 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,247 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,235 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,628 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,198 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,073 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,880 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,780 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pontiac metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $71,130 (2019) to $85,073 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,780 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,650 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pontiac 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) | $50,970 – $63,274 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,274 – $87,880 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,880 – $112,486 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,486 – $136,214 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Pontiac
In Pontiac, the local market supports 12 financial advisors, illustrating a niche yet competitive environment. The cost-of-living index stands at 93.2, suggesting that residents enjoy a slightly lower cost base compared to national averages, which can enhance take-home purchasing power for financial professionals. Among the local employers, wirehouses such as Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch tend to offer higher salaries, but they often come with commission-based compensation models that can result in income variability. Independent broker-dealers and RIAs may provide alternatives that cater to advisors with fiduciary backgrounds who favor an AUM-based fee structure, typically yielding more stable earnings. Factors driving the earnings spread in Pontiac include the asset under management (AUM) each advisor oversees, their credential premium (like holding a CFP), and the concentration of high-net-worth clients. Advisors looking to maximize pay should consider aligning with fee-only practices or enhancing their qualifications to attract affluent clientele, as these elements can play a pivotal role in achieving higher financial advisor pay in Pontiac, MI.
More salary data for Pontiac, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do financial advisors make in Pontiac, MI in 2026?
Is Pontiac, MI a good place to work as a financial advisor?
Can financial advisors make $100K in Pontiac?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted financial advisor salary in Pontiac?
How much does a financial advisor make per hour in Pontiac?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Michigan
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 $85,073 for financial advisorsin the Pontiac 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 Pontiac 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