Financial Advisor Salary in Great Falls, MT: $135,602 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Great Falls, MT earns a median $135,602/year (≈ $65.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Great Falls's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.8), that paycheck buys what $140,020 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 34.7% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Great Falls, Montana, the financial advisor salary framework reflects robust local economics, with a projected median annual salary of $135,602 in 2026. This figure marks a notable increase compared to national benchmarks, representing a 24.94% premium over the national median of $108,537. The salary distribution for financial advisors in this region stretches significantly, from a lower threshold of $55,348 to a top tier of $600,338, according to data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys. As the market for wealth management evolves, those advisors establishing independent practices can expect enhanced long-term compensation opportunities due to the shift in client engagement and asset management models prevalent in Great Falls.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,348 | $26.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,152 | $39.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,602 | $65.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $245,771 | $118.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $600,338 | $288.62 |
Median Salary Position
24.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Great Falls
In Great Falls, MT, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $544,990 (2026 est.). At $135,602, the local median is 24.94% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Great Falls: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Great Falls Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Great Falls median: $135,602/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Great Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $100,670 | +34.70% more |
| National Average | $108,537 | +24.94% more |
Financial Advisors in Great Falls, MT earn a median of $135,602 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.94% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 34.70% above the Montana state average of $100,670.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Great Falls has a cost of living 3.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Great Falls, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.845 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $135,602 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,020 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.26% 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
$125,830
2025 BLS Actual
$131,270
2026 Current Est.
$135,602
2019–2027 Growth
+11.3%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $125,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $112,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,270 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,602 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,077 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Great Falls metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 4.3% from $125,830 (2019) to $131,270 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,077 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,247 (11.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Great Falls 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) | $55,348 – $81,152 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,152 – $135,602 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,602 – $245,771 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $245,771 – $600,338 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Great Falls
Analyzing the local job market, there are currently 60 financial advisors contributing to the economy, all working within a competitive landscape. The cost of living in Great Falls, indexed at 96.845, provides a conducive environment for financial advisors to maximize their take-home pay, as it is below the national average. High earners often come from established firms like Morgan Stanley or Merrill Lynch, while independent Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) are growing rapidly, benefitting from an AUM-based fee model that allows for better margins compared to commission-based structures. The variance in compensation is influenced by assets under management, client base concentration, and the presence of high-net-worth clients. Financial advisors looking to elevate their earnings in Great Falls should consider obtaining certifications such as CFP or CFA, which not only enhance credibility but can also justify higher fees, especially in a market leaning toward fiduciary standards.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do financial advisors make in Great Falls, MT in 2026?
Is Great Falls, MT a good place to work as a financial advisor?
Can financial advisors make $100K in Great Falls?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted financial advisor salary in Great Falls?
How much does a financial advisor make per hour in Great Falls?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Montana
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 $131,270 for financial advisorsin the Great Falls 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
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