Financial Advisor Salary in North Carolina: $100,547 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median financial advisor pay sits at $100,547/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 13-2052. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $107,422 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Greensboro ($126,310), High Point ($124,365), Raleigh ($104,780).
In 2026, the average median salary for financial advisors in North Carolina is projected to be $100,547, which is 7.4% lower than the national median of $108,537. The disparity among cities is significant, with Greensboro offering the highest salary at $130,478, while Durham has the lowest at $65,389, highlighting a salary gap of $65,089. This difference can be attributed to local economic conditions, the concentration of high-net-worth individuals, and the demand for financial advisory services in various regions. In North Carolina, job requirements include state licensing and adherence to scope of practice laws, which can influence compensation and job prospects. Demand is expected to be driven by factors such as population growth, increased investment needs, and the growing complexity of financial products. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.30% in the number of advisors needed, the job market looks promising. Other notable cities like High Point, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, and Cary have projected salaries of $128,469, $108,238, $108,172, and $107,722 respectively, reflecting varying local economies and demand for services. Overall, financial advisors in North Carolina can anticipate a stable job market with diverse earning potentials across the state.
North Carolina Financial Advisor Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $38,243 (lowest entry-level) to $576,672 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina financial advisors earn 7.36% less than the national median ($-7,990/year difference).
North Carolina Financial Advisor Salary Distribution (2026)
Financial Advisor salaries in North Carolina range from $51,340 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $309,557 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $100,547. The North Carolina median is $7,990 below the US national median of $108,537. The average hourly rate is $48.34/hr. Approximately 11,301 financial advisors are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$95,812
2025 BLS Actual
$97,335
2026 Current Est.
$100,547
2019–2027 Growth
+8.4%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,812 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,959 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,929 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,689 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,761 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,798 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,335 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,547 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,865 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 1.6% from $95,812 (2019) to $97,335 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,865 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,053 (8.41%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Durham | $65,389 |
| Chapel Hill | $65,935 |
| Burlington | $81,979 |
| Leland | $96,922 |
| Carrboro | $98,375 |
Best Value Cities for Financial Advisors in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for financial advisors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro | $130,478 | 92.865 | $140,503 |
| High Point | $128,469 | 93.6 | $137,253 |
| Greenville | $104,633 | 88.402 | $118,360 |
| Pinehurst | $104,374 | 88.336 | $118,156 |
| Fayetteville | $106,513 | 91.978 | $115,803 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $51,340 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $100,547 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $309,557 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greensboro | $130,478 |
| 2 | High Point | $128,469 |
| 3 | Raleigh | $108,238 |
| 4 | Winston-Salem | $108,172 |
| 5 | Cary | $107,722 |
| 6 | Fayetteville | $106,513 |
| 7 | Wilmington | $105,975 |
| 8 | Asheville | $105,521 |
| 9 | Huntersville | $105,492 |
| 10 | Kannapolis | $105,327 |
| 11 | Apex | $105,079 |
| 12 | Jacksonville | $104,889 |
| 13 | Greenville | $104,633 |
| 14 | Concord | $104,402 |
| 15 | Pinehurst | $104,374 |
| 16 | Winston | $103,878 |
| 17 | Statesville | $103,507 |
| 18 | Kernersville | $103,418 |
| 19 | Matthews | $103,175 |
| 20 | Cornelius | $102,996 |
| 21 | Sanford | $102,907 |
| 22 | Wake Forest | $102,904 |
| 23 | Morrisville | $102,859 |
| 24 | Charlotte | $102,722 |
| 25 | Fuquay-Varina | $102,583 |
| 26 | Salisbury | $102,568 |
| 27 | Thomasville | $102,397 |
| 28 | New Bern | $102,357 |
| 29 | Mint Hill | $102,332 |
| 30 | Hickory | $101,327 |
| 31 | Holly Springs | $100,712 |
| 32 | Rocky Mount | $100,532 |
| 33 | Gastonia | $100,532 |
| 34 | Mooresville | $100,396 |
| 35 | Monroe | $100,356 |
| 36 | Garner | $100,130 |
| 37 | Wilson | $100,056 |
| 38 | Boone | $99,623 |
| 39 | Indian Trail | $98,761 |
| 40 | Carrboro | $98,375 |
| 41 | Leland | $96,922 |
| 42 | Burlington | $81,979 |
| 43 | Chapel Hill | $65,935 |
| 44 | Durham | $65,389 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore financial advisor hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced financial advisors.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Financial Advisor Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do financial advisors make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for financial advisors in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina financial advisor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level financial advisor salary in North Carolina?
How many financial advisors are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina city offers the best value for financial advisors?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.30% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 financial advisor compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 metro areas — larger metro areas with more financial advisorscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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