Financial Advisor Salary in Elizabeth, NJ: $126,180 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Elizabeth, NJ earns a median $126,180/year (≈ $60.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Elizabeth's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $109,531 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elizabeth, New Jersey, the financial advising market is robust, with a 2026 median annual salary projected at $126,180, significantly higher than the national figure of $108,537. The salary range reflects a wide disparity, ranging from $73,184 at the 10th percentile to $195,579 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, indicate a vibrant local economy that allows for substantial earning potential. The influx of professionals into the independent advisory space, fueled by the evolving preferences of clients seeking personalized financial advice, has contributed to this dynamic compensation landscape. Given these factors, Elizabeth offers promising prospects for financial advisors looking to establish or grow their practices.
About the Elizabeth Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,184 | $35.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,849 | $43.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,180 | $60.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,511 | $77.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,579 | $94.02 |
Median Salary Position
16.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elizabeth
In Elizabeth, NJ, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,395 (2026 est.). At $126,180, the local median is 16.26% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elizabeth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elizabeth Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Elizabeth median: $126,180/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elizabeth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $125,054 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $108,537 | +16.26% more |
Financial Advisors in Elizabeth, NJ earn a median of $126,180 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.26% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 0.90% above the New Jersey state average of $125,054.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elizabeth has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elizabeth, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $126,180 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $109,531 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,130
2025 BLS Actual
$122,149
2026 Current Est.
$126,180
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Elizabeth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,477 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,896 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,767 | Actual |
| 2024 | $172,056 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,149 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,180 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,344 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elizabeth metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $102,130 (2019) to $122,149 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,344 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,214 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elizabeth 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) | $73,184 – $90,849 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,849 – $126,180 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,180 – $161,511 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,511 – $195,579 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Elizabeth
The local job market for financial advisors in Elizabeth is characterized by about 25 professionals currently employed, with a cost-of-living index of 115.2, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, the increased living expenses can impact purchasing power. Wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch typically offer the highest pay among employers in the region, especially for advisors who manage a high net worth clientele. The disparity in earnings is largely driven by individual performance metrics such as assets under management and the compensation structure—1% management fees at RIAs versus commissions prevalent at wirehouses. Those with CFP or CFA designations often command premium salaries, particularly in roles involving fiduciary duties. To maximize earnings in Elizabeth, financial professionals should consider focusing on building a strong referral network and potentially transitioning to an RIA model, where they can fully leverage their expertise in investment management and planning.
More salary data for Elizabeth, 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 $122,149 for financial advisorsin the Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth 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