Financial Advisor Salary in Plainfield, NJ: $124,800 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Plainfield, NJ earns a median $124,800/year (≈ $60.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Plainfield's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $108,333 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Financial advisors in Plainfield, NJ, can expect a median annual salary of $124,800 in 2026, a figure that reflects a compelling 14.98% premium over the national average of $108,537. With a salary range spanning from $72,384 at the 10th percentile to $193,440 at the 90th percentile, local compensation is shaped significantly by the structural divide between wirehouses and Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs). This divergence stems from differing business models, where wirehouses often favor commission-based structures, while RIAs typically operate on an AUM (assets under management) fee model. Local figures provided are adjusted based on regional cost-of-living data, illustrating how the Plainfield market is uniquely positioned within the broader financial advisory industry landscape.
About the Plainfield Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($148,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,384 | $34.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,856 | $43.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,800 | $60.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,744 | $76.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $193,440 | $93.00 |
Median Salary Position
14.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plainfield
In Plainfield, NJ, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,056 (2026 est.). At $124,800, the local median is 14.98% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Plainfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Plainfield Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Plainfield median: $124,800/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plainfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $125,050 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | +14.98% more |
Financial Advisors in Plainfield, NJ earn a median of $124,800 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.98% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 0.20% below the New Jersey state average of $125,050.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plainfield has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Plainfield, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $124,800 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $108,333 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,013
2025 BLS Actual
$120,813
2026 Current Est.
$124,800
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Plainfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,013 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,715 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,683 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $170,175 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,813 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,800 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,918 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plainfield metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $101,013 (2019) to $120,813 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,918 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,905 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plainfield 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) | $72,384 – $89,856 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,856 – $124,800 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,800 – $159,744 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,744 – $193,440 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Plainfield
In the current job market, Plainfield is home to approximately 10 financial advisors, a number that indicates a modest but stable sector presence. The cost of living index of 115.2 suggests that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power may be slightly diminished when compared to national averages. Among local employers, wirehouses such as Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch tend to offer higher pay, especially for advisors with significant AUM, but fiduciary RIAs, which often provide a solid return on investment due to their fee-only models, are also becoming increasingly competitive. Factors influencing the breadth of compensation include the advisor’s client base concentration, whether they hold specific credentials like CFP or CFA, and the overall financial health of their practice. For those in Plainfield, leveraging a robust network, focusing on high-net-worth clients, and considering transitions from wirehouses to more lucrative independent or RIA structures can be effective strategies for maximizing financial advisor pay in this evolving market.
More salary data for Plainfield, 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 $120,813 for financial advisorsin the Plainfield 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 Plainfield 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