Financial Advisor Salary in Apex, NC: $105,079 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Apex, NC earns a median $105,079/year (≈ $50.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Apex's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $112,264 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Apex, North Carolina, financial advisors can expect a median annual salary of $105,079 in 2026, reflecting a slight dip compared to the national median of $108,537. This salary is part of a broader compensation range that spans from $60,946 at the 10th percentile to $162,872 at the 90th percentile. The dynamics of compensation in Apex are heavily influenced by the structural divide between wirehouses and Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs). Advisors working under the asset under management (AUM) fee model typically operate differently than those who earn commissions, with RIAs often benefiting from a more predictable income stream based on client assets. This differentiation is crucial for understanding the earning potential for financial advisors in this region, especially as the market increasingly shifts towards fiduciary practices and fee-based structures, positioning Apex as an evolving hub for financial services.
About the Apex Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,946 | $29.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,657 | $36.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,079 | $50.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $134,501 | $64.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,872 | $78.30 |
Median Salary Position
3.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apex
In Apex, NC, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,926 (2026 est.). At $105,079, the local median is 3.19% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Apex: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Apex Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Apex median: $105,079/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apex Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $104,348 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $108,537 | -3.19% less |
Financial Advisors in Apex, NC earn a median of $105,079 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.19% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 0.70% above the North Carolina state average of $104,348.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Apex has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Apex, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $105,079 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,264 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,051
2025 BLS Actual
$101,722
2026 Current Est.
$105,079
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Apex (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,051 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,484 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,169 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,407 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,943 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,722 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,079 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,546 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apex metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $85,051 (2019) to $101,722 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,546 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,495 (27.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Apex 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) | $60,946 – $75,657 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,657 – $105,079 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,079 – $134,501 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $134,501 – $162,872 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Apex
With 16 financial advisors currently employed in Apex, the local market demonstrates noteworthy stability, even as the cost of living remains below the national average, with a CoL index of 93.6. This affordability may enhance the purchasing power of salaries, making financial advisory roles in Apex attractive, despite the lower median pay compared to national averages. It’s essential to recognize that wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch might offer higher salaries due to their established clientele and comprehensive benefits. Conversely, independent firms and RIAs may pay less upfront but can provide substantial revenue through AUM fees if advisors build sizable client portfolios. Factors such as client concentration, credentials like CFP or CFA, and client relationship management all contribute to the wide salary variance in this market. Financial advisors looking to maximize their earning potential in Apex should focus on building a strong client base, obtaining key certifications, and considering transitions from wirehouse models to RIAs as the industry evolves.
More salary data for Apex, NC:
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 $101,722 for financial advisorsin the Apex 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 Apex 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