Financial Advisor Salary in Cary, NC: $107,722 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Cary, NC earns a median $107,722/year (≈ $51.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Cary's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $115,088 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Financial advisors in Cary, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $107,722 in 2026, which places them slightly below the national median of $108,537. This reflects a salary range from $62,479 for entry-level positions (P10) to $166,970 for those at the top of their field (P90). These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional cost considerations. With strong demand for financial services, Cary offers a dynamic environment where professionals can build rewarding careers. This market is particularly appealing for those considering a transition into an independent practice or seeking opportunities that leverage their expertise and align with the shifting industry landscape.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,479 | $30.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,560 | $37.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,722 | $51.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $137,885 | $66.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,970 | $80.27 |
Median Salary Position
0.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cary
In Cary, NC, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,491 (2026 est.). At $107,722, the local median is 0.75% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cary: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cary Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Cary median: $107,722/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $104,382 | +3.20% more |
| National Average | $108,537 | -0.75% less |
Financial Advisors in Cary, NC earn a median of $107,722 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.75% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 3.20% above the North Carolina state average of $104,382.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cary 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.
Cary, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $107,722 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $115,088 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,190
2025 BLS Actual
$104,281
2026 Current Est.
$107,722
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Cary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,659 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,463 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,674 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,832 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,281 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,722 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,277 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cary metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $87,190 (2019) to $104,281 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,277 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,087 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cary 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) | $62,479 – $77,560 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,560 – $107,722 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,722 – $137,885 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $137,885 – $166,970 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Cary
The job market in Cary currently employs 44 financial advisors, highlighting a stable demand. Given that Cary has a cost of living index of 93.6, financial advisors enjoy relatively favorable purchasing power compared to many other regions. Local employers vary widely in compensation; wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch typically pay top dollar, but independent broker-dealers and RIAs offer competitive packages based on their fee structures and client concentration. The difference between lower and higher salaries often stems from factors such as assets under management (AUM) and whether advisors follow a commission-based or fiduciary fee model. For those looking to maximize their financial advisor pay in Cary, pursuing a CFP designation and focusing on high-net-worth individuals can significantly enhance earnings potential, especially as the industry shifts towards fee-based structures and fiduciary responsibilities.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $104,281 for financial advisorsin the Cary 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 Cary 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