Financial Advisor Salary in Hickory, NC: $101,327 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Hickory, NC earns a median $101,327/year (≈ $48.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Hickory's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.5), that paycheck buys what $114,512 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, financial advisors in Hickory, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $101,327, which represents a 6.64% lower level compared to the national median of $108,537. The salary range for this occupation varies significantly, spanning from $41,630 at the 10th percentile to as high as $267,227 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the disparity influenced by different business models. This data, which stems from official BLS OEWS surveys, reflects the structural divide between wirehouse models and Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs). In Hickory, the shift towards fiduciary firms, primarily RIAs, shapes advisor compensation, with many adopting an assets-under-management (AUM) fee model that can lead to substantial earnings depending on client portfolios.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,630 | $20.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,458 | $25.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,327 | $48.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,615 | $78.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $267,227 | $128.47 |
Median Salary Position
6.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hickory
In Hickory, NC, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $225,597 (2026 est.). At $101,327, the local median is 6.64% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hickory: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hickory Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Hickory median: $101,327/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hickory Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $104,353 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -6.64% less |
Financial Advisors in Hickory, NC earn a median of $101,327 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.64% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 2.90% below the North Carolina state average of $104,353.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hickory has a cost of living 11.51% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hickory, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.486 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $101,327 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $114,512 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.01% 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
$106,640
2025 BLS Actual
$98,090
2026 Current Est.
$101,327
2019–2027 Growth
+-1.8%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Hickory (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,580 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,136 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,327 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,671 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hickory metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew -8.0% from $106,640 (2019) to $98,090 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,671 by 2027 — a total increase of $-1,969 (-1.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hickory 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) | $41,630 – $53,458 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,458 – $101,327 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,327 – $162,615 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,615 – $267,227 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Hickory
With approximately 120 financial advisors working in Hickory, the local job market is stable yet competitive. The cost of living index in the area stands at 88.486, which is below the national average and enhances the purchasing power of salaries in this region. Among local employers, wirehouses such as Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch tend to offer higher salaries, particularly for advisors working with affluent clients. The stark contrast in salary—reflecting factors such as AUM size, the commission versus fee-only debate, and credentialing like CFP or CFA—creates varying pay scales that potential hires must consider. To maximize compensation in Hickory, financial advisors should emphasize building a strong client base, ideally focusing on high-net-worth individuals, and contemplate pursuing credentials like the CFP to enhance their market value. Understanding and navigating the diverse fee structures, whether in a wirehouse setting or as an independent RIA, is also crucial for maximizing earnings potential.
More salary data for Hickory, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do financial advisors make in Hickory, NC in 2026?
Is Hickory, NC a good place to work as a financial advisor?
Can financial advisors make $100K in Hickory?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted financial advisor salary in Hickory?
How much does a financial advisor make per hour in Hickory?
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 $98,090 for financial advisorsin the Hickory 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