Financial Advisor Salary in Lincoln, NE: $78,084 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Lincoln, NE earns a median $78,084/year (≈ $37.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $85,262 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 21.4% below the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Financial advisors in Lincoln, NE, maintain a competitive income landscape, with a projected median annual salary of $78,084 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $108,537. The local salary range varies widely, with entry-level positions earning around $54,191 while seasoned advisors can command up to $319,724. This disparity is reflective of Lincoln’s unique market conditions and the structural divide between wirehouses and registered investment advisors (RIAs). The commission-based models prevalent in wirehouses contrast sharply with the more fiduciary AUM approach utilized by independent firms, influencing how much financial advisors make in Lincoln and highlighting the importance of business model alignment for earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,191 | $26.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,540 | $30.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,084 | $37.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,508 | $69.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $319,724 | $153.71 |
Median Salary Position
28.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $265,533 (2026 est.). At $78,084, the local median is 28.06% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lincoln: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Lincoln Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $78,084/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $99,344 | -21.40% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -28.06% less |
Financial Advisors in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $78,084 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.06% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 21.40% below the Nebraska state average of $99,344.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lincoln has a cost of living 8.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lincoln, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.581 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $78,084 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,262 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,730
2025 BLS Actual
$75,590
2026 Current Est.
$78,084
2019–2027 Growth
+15.7%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,730 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,084 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,661 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 8.4% from $69,730 (2019) to $75,590 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,661 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,931 (15.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln 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) | $54,191 – $63,540 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,540 – $78,084 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,084 – $145,508 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,508 – $319,724 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Lincoln
Currently, Lincoln employs approximately 290 financial advisors, positioning the city as a viable market for upcoming financial professionals. The cost of living index stands at 91.581, contributing to a favorable financial environment for residents, as lower living expenses enhance relative purchasing power. Among employers, wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo Advisors tend to offer the highest salaries, benefiting from larger books of business. In this environment, factors such as client concentration, partner equity, and credential premiums significantly influence the salary spectrum. For those seeking to maximize their financial advisor pay in Lincoln, pursuing advanced certifications like CFP or CFA while strategically choosing between commission and AUM models can prove beneficial in enhancing long-term earning potential.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
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 $75,590 for financial advisorsin the Lincoln 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