Financial Advisor Salary in Buffalo, NY: $107,070 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Buffalo, NY earns a median $107,070/year (≈ $51.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Buffalo's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $111,713 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.9% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, financial advisors in Buffalo, New York, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $107,070, slightly lower than the national median of $108,537. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly, from $62,290 at the 10th percentile to as much as $386,363 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, indicate that while the potential for high earnings exists, many advisors in the area earn considerably less. This economic landscape suggests a mix of opportunities and challenges in Buffalo's job market, influenced by factors such as client assets and fee structures.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,290 | $29.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,872 | $33.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,070 | $51.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $181,322 | $87.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $386,363 | $185.75 |
Median Salary Position
1.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buffalo
In Buffalo, NY, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $324,073 (2026 est.). At $107,070, the local median is 1.35% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buffalo: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Buffalo Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Buffalo median: $107,070/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buffalo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $127,313 | -15.90% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -1.35% less |
Financial Advisors in Buffalo, NY earn a median of $107,070 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.35% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 15.90% below the New York state average of $127,313.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buffalo has a cost of living 4.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buffalo, NY has a cost-of-living index of 95.844 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $107,070 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,713 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,080
2025 BLS Actual
$103,650
2026 Current Est.
$107,070
2019–2027 Growth
+16.3%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Buffalo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,070 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,604 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buffalo metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 9.0% from $95,080 (2019) to $103,650 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,604 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,524 (16.33%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo 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) | $62,290 – $69,872 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,872 – $107,070 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,070 – $181,322 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $181,322 – $386,363 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Buffalo
With 690 financial advisors currently employed in Buffalo, the local job market shows promise for those entering the field. The cost of living index in Buffalo stands at 95.844, hinting that lower living expenses may enhance purchasing power for advisors compared to other regions. Notably, wirehouses such as Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch tend to offer higher compensation, but independent broker-dealers like LPL and Raymond James could provide unique advantages for those pursuing a fee-only model. Variability in earnings can stem from factors like assets under management, client base, and the choice between commission and fiduciary fee models. For those looking to maximize their financial advisor salary in Buffalo, focusing on obtaining recognized credentials like CFP can enhance credibility, while building a strong personal brand can attract high-net-worth clients, ultimately driving higher compensation through effective asset management and strategic advice.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
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 $103,650 for financial advisorsin the Buffalo 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