Financial Advisor Salary in Cortland, NY: $117,261 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Cortland, NY earns a median $117,261/year (≈ $56.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Cortland's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $101,174 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, financial advisors in Cortland, NY, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $117,261, reflecting a competitive edge over the national average of $108,537. The salary range for this occupation varies significantly, with those at the lower end earning approximately $68,012 (P10) while top earners can bring in as much as $181,754 (P90). These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost-of-living factors. As demand grows for fee-only fiduciary financial planning, particularly among Certified Financial Planners (CFPs), Cortland's job market offers opportunities for professionals to leverage their credentials effectively in a transitioning industry.
About the Cortland Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($168,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,012 | $32.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,428 | $40.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,261 | $56.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $150,094 | $72.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $181,754 | $87.38 |
Median Salary Position
8.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cortland
In Cortland, NY, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $113,742 (2026 est.). At $117,261, the local median is 8.04% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cortland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cortland Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Cortland median: $117,261/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cortland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $127,319 | -7.90% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | +8.04% more |
Financial Advisors in Cortland, NY earn a median of $117,261 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.04% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 7.90% below the New York state average of $127,319.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cortland has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cortland, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $117,261 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,174 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,911
2025 BLS Actual
$113,515
2026 Current Est.
$117,261
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Cortland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,911 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,739 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,057 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,584 | Actual |
| 2024 | $179,288 | Actual |
| 2025 | $113,515 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,261 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,131 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cortland metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $94,911 (2019) to $113,515 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,131 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,220 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cortland 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) | $68,012 – $84,428 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,428 – $117,261 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,261 – $150,094 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $150,094 – $181,754 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Cortland
With only four financial advisors currently employed in the region, Cortland's local job market remains relatively small but stable. The area's cost of living index stands at 115.9, indicating that household expenses are above the national average, which can impact take-home purchasing power for financial advisors. Among local employers, wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch may offer higher salaries compared to independent firms or bank wealth management divisions. Factors such as assets under management (AUM), fee structures, and the concentration of high-net-worth clients drive the discrepancy in pay. Advisors looking to maximize their earnings should consider building a robust client base, pursuing higher-level certifications such as the CFP, and potentially transitioning to lower-fee fiduciary models, which tend to attract clients seeking transparency and cost-effective services.
More salary data for Cortland, 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 $113,515 for financial advisorsin the Cortland 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 Cortland 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