Financial Advisor Salary in Charlotte, NC: $102,722 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Charlotte, NC earns a median $102,722/year (≈ $49.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Charlotte's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $105,520 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charlotte, North Carolina, the financial advisory profession is projected to offer a median annual salary of $102,722 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $108,537. The salary landscape for financial advisors in the city spans from $51,402 at the 10th percentile to as high as $229,595 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, reflect a robust job market for financial advisors, particularly as more professionals transition to independent roles. As the industry pivots towards higher independence and fiduciary accountability, compensation structures may become increasingly favorable for those equipped to navigate the nuances of client relationships and fee models.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,402 | $24.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,206 | $37.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,722 | $49.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,757 | $67.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $229,595 | $110.39 |
Median Salary Position
5.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charlotte
In Charlotte, NC, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $178,193 (2026 est.). At $102,722, the local median is 5.36% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charlotte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charlotte Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Charlotte median: $102,722/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charlotte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $104,392 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -5.36% less |
Financial Advisors in Charlotte, NC earn a median of $102,722 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.36% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 1.60% below the North Carolina state average of $104,392.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charlotte has a cost of living 2.65% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charlotte, NC has a cost-of-living index of 97.348 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $102,722 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,520 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.72% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$116,760
2025 BLS Actual
$99,440
2026 Current Est.
$102,722
2019–2027 Growth
+-9.1%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Charlotte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $106,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,709 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,722 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,111 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charlotte metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew -14.8% from $116,760 (2019) to $99,440 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,111 by 2027 — a total increase of $-10,649 (-9.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlotte 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) | $51,402 – $77,206 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,206 – $102,722 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,722 – $140,757 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,757 – $229,595 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Charlotte
With approximately 4,850 financial advisors currently working in Charlotte, the city's job market remains vibrant, serving both corporate and independent wealth management sectors. The cost of living index for Charlotte, standing at 97.348, suggests that advisors here have a competitive edge when it comes to purchasing power, as they earn a robust salary while benefiting from lower living costs compared to national averages. Among local top-paying employers, wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch often provide substantial compensation, yet independent registered investment advisors (RIAs) are gaining traction, offering personalized fee-only services and fostering deeper client connections. Understanding the drivers behind pay disparities—such as Assets Under Management (AUM), credentialing like CFP or CFA, and the financial independence that comes from building a significant client base—can guide advisors in maximizing their compensation potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Charlotte, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do financial advisors make in Charlotte, NC in 2026?
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a financial advisor?
Can financial advisors make $100K in Charlotte?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted financial advisor salary in Charlotte?
How much does a financial advisor make per hour in Charlotte?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $99,440 for financial advisorsin the Charlotte 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