Financial Advisor Salary in Gastonia, NC: $100,532 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Gastonia, NC earns a median $100,532/year (≈ $48.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Gastonia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $107,406 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, financial advisors in Gastonia, NC, are projected to earn a median salary of $100,532, reflecting the region's unique economic landscape and job market dynamics. This figure falls below the national median of $108,537, highlighting the competitive nature of compensation within the city. Salary ranges significantly vary, from $58,309 at the lower tenth percentile to $155,824 at the ninetieth percentile, indicating substantial differences in earnings based on factors such as experience, clientele, and employer type. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional market conditions and cost of living, with the financial advisor profession in Gastonia benefiting from the trend towards fee-only fiduciary models and the increasing value placed on the CFP credential.
About the Gastonia Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,309 | $28.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,382 | $34.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,532 | $48.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $128,681 | $61.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $155,824 | $74.91 |
Median Salary Position
7.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gastonia
In Gastonia, NC, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,515 (2026 est.). At $100,532, the local median is 7.38% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gastonia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gastonia Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Gastonia median: $100,532/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gastonia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $104,394 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -7.38% less |
Financial Advisors in Gastonia, NC earn a median of $100,532 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.38% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 3.70% below the North Carolina state average of $104,394.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gastonia 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.
Gastonia, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $100,532 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,406 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,370
2025 BLS Actual
$97,320
2026 Current Est.
$100,532
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Gastonia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,741 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,224 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,354 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,235 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,223 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,532 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,849 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gastonia metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $81,370 (2019) to $97,320 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,849 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,479 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gastonia 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) | $58,309 – $72,382 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,382 – $100,532 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,532 – $128,681 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $128,681 – $155,824 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Gastonia
The local job market for financial advisors in Gastonia consists of 16 professionals, working in an environment characterized by a cost of living index of 93.6, which suggests a relatively affordable lifestyle. The economic backdrop allows for enhanced purchasing power, making compensation packages more appealing in comparison to their national counterparts. Notably, firms such as Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo Advisors can offer higher salaries compared to independent broker-dealers or smaller RIAs due to their larger client bases and associated asset management fees. The variance in financial advisor pay in Gastonia largely stems from the assets under management, fee structures, and the concentration of high-net-worth clients. To maximize earnings, advisors should position themselves strategically within the growing fiduciary landscape, enhance their qualifications, and build strong networks, ensuring they can effectively leverage market trends to their advantage.
More salary data for Gastonia, 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 $97,320 for financial advisorsin the Gastonia 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 Gastonia 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