Financial Advisor Salary in Wilmington, NC: $105,975 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Wilmington, NC earns a median $105,975/year (≈ $50.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $109,907 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, the financial advisor salary landscape reflects a notable divergence between wirehouse and independent RIA models. The projected median annual salary for 2026 stands at $105,975, which is slightly below the national median of $108,537. The salary range for financial advisors in the area is wide, from $47,270 at the 10th percentile to a substantial $302,369 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, highlight how the prevailing AUM (assets under management) compensation structure shapes earnings, with RIAs typically offering more favorable pay tied to asset growth while wirehouses often rely on commission-based fees. This structural divide informs the financial advisory market in Wilmington, affecting both recruitment and retention strategies among local firms.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,270 | $22.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,038 | $31.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,975 | $50.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $142,182 | $68.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $302,369 | $145.37 |
Median Salary Position
2.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $255,099 (2026 est.). At $105,975, the local median is 2.36% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Wilmington Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $105,975/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $104,409 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $108,537 | -2.36% less |
Financial Advisors in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $105,975 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.36% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 1.50% above the North Carolina state average of $104,409.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $105,975 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,907 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% 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
$67,040
2025 BLS Actual
$102,590
2026 Current Est.
$105,975
2019–2027 Growth
+63.3%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,975 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,473 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 53.0% from $67,040 (2019) to $102,590 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,473 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,433 (63.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $47,270 – $65,038 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,038 – $105,975 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,975 – $142,182 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $142,182 – $302,369 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Wilmington
With 390 financial advisors currently employed in Wilmington, the job market's strength stands out, particularly as the cost of living index is at 96.422, indicating a more affordable lifestyle compared to the national average. This reality enables advisors to stretch their salaries further, enhancing take-home purchasing power. High-paying employers in the area include major wirehouses and independent broker-dealers, where advisors can capitalize on AUM-driven income models and commission opportunities. The disparity in financial advisor pay in Wilmington is influenced by various factors such as book size, client concentration, and the credentials advisors hold—like the CFP or CFA designation. To maximize income in this market, prospective advisors should focus on developing a strong client base, potentially transitioning to a fee-only model, and pursuing advanced certifications.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do financial advisors make in Wilmington, NC in 2026?
Is Wilmington, NC a good place to work as a financial advisor?
Can financial advisors make $100K in Wilmington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted financial advisor salary in Wilmington?
How much does a financial advisor make per hour in Wilmington?
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 $102,590 for financial advisorsin the Wilmington 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