Financial Advisor Salary in Clifton, NJ: $122,720 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Clifton, NJ earns a median $122,720/year (≈ $59.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Clifton's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $106,528 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the financial advisor salary in Clifton is projected to reach a median annual figure of $122,720, reflecting a competitive compensation landscape often enhanced by the growing prominence of fiduciary fee-only practices. This figure sits significantly above the national median of $108,537, suggesting a rewarding environment for local professionals. Salary ranges indicate substantial earning potential, with entry-level advisors earning around $71,178 and top earners commanding as much as $190,217 annually. These projections, based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for local cost-of-living, highlight Clifton's job market, which is ripe with opportunities for skilled financial advisors looking to establish or advance their careers.
About the Clifton Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,178 | $34.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,359 | $42.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $122,720 | $59.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,082 | $75.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $190,217 | $91.45 |
Median Salary Position
13.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clifton
In Clifton, NJ, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $119,039 (2026 est.). At $122,720, the local median is 13.07% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clifton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clifton Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Clifton median: $122,720/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clifton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $125,097 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | +13.07% more |
Financial Advisors in Clifton, NJ earn a median of $122,720 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.07% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 1.90% below the New Jersey state average of $125,097.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clifton has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clifton, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $122,720 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $106,528 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,330
2025 BLS Actual
$118,800
2026 Current Est.
$122,720
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Clifton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,003 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,476 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,855 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,593 | Actual |
| 2024 | $167,339 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,720 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $126,770 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clifton metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $99,330 (2019) to $118,800 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $126,770 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,440 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clifton 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) | $71,178 – $88,359 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,359 – $122,720 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $122,720 – $157,082 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,082 – $190,217 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Clifton
The local financial advisory sector employs approximately 14 professionals, underscoring a niche but healthy market in Clifton, NJ. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, the area presents unique challenges and advantages for advisors regarding purchasing power. Employers that tend to offer higher salaries include well-known wirehouses such as Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch, alongside established independent broker-dealers and RIAs that emphasize the fiduciary model. The disparity in earnings can often be attributed to various factors such as assets under management (AUM), the credential premium associated with CFP and CFA designations, and whether advisors operate on commission-based or fee-only models. Strategies for maximizing financial advisor pay in Clifton may involve cultivating high-net-worth (HNW) client relationships and potentially transitioning from a wirehouse to a more lucrative RIA structure where compensation is more closely aligned with client interests.
More salary data for Clifton, NJ:
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 $118,800 for financial advisorsin the Clifton 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 Clifton 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