Financial Advisor Salary in Ithaca, NY: $135,261 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Ithaca, NY earns a median $135,261/year (≈ $65.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Ithaca's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $130,918 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, financial advisors in Ithaca, New York, can anticipate a median annual salary of $135,261, significantly surpassing the national median of $108,537 by 24.62%. The salary range for this profession stretches from $82,950 at the P10 level to an impressive $304,673 at the P90 level. This data, which stems from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected to 2026, reflects the city's unique financial advisory dynamics. Ithaca's market is influenced by the ongoing structural divide between wirehouses and Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs), with the assets under management (AUM) fee model largely driving compensation. As the industry tends to favor fiduciary models over traditional commission-based structures, it's clear that Ithaca's financial advisor pay is on an upward trajectory, making it an appealing choice for professionals in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,950 | $39.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,643 | $50.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,261 | $65.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $179,411 | $86.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $304,673 | $146.48 |
Median Salary Position
24.62% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ithaca
In Ithaca, NY, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $221,723 (2026 est.). At $135,261, the local median is 24.62% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ithaca: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Ithaca Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Ithaca median: $135,261/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ithaca Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $127,364 | +6.20% more |
| National Average | $108,537 | +24.62% more |
Financial Advisors in Ithaca, NY earn a median of $135,261 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.62% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 6.20% above the New York state average of $127,364.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ithaca has a cost of living 3.32% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ithaca, NY has a cost-of-living index of 103.317 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $135,261 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $130,918 — a 3.21% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,850
2025 BLS Actual
$130,940
2026 Current Est.
$135,261
2019–2027 Growth
+125.9%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Ithaca (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,261 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,725 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ithaca metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 111.7% from $61,850 (2019) to $130,940 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,725 by 2027 — a total increase of $77,875 (125.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ithaca 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) | $82,950 – $104,643 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,643 – $135,261 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,261 – $179,411 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $179,411 – $304,673 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Ithaca
Looking at the local job market, there are currently 40 financial advisors employed in the Ithaca area, reflecting a robust demand for their services. The cost-of-living index stands at 103.317, slightly above the national average, which influences take-home purchasing power for those entering the market. Among local employers, wirehouses such as Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch tend to offer competitive salaries, but independent broker-dealer firms and RIAs, especially those with a fiduciary focus, can provide lucrative compensation packages as well. The variation in salaries can be attributed to several factors, including AUM book size, fee structures, and the presence of high-net-worth clients. Advisors looking to maximize their earnings should consider obtaining CFP or CFA credentials, targeting retirement account rollovers, and cultivating a strong referral network to attract affluent clients in Ithaca, NY.
More salary data for Ithaca, 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 $130,940 for financial advisorsin the Ithaca 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