Financial Advisor Salary in Bismarck, ND: $78,539 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Bismarck, ND earns a median $78,539/year (≈ $37.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Bismarck's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $86,284 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 21.3% below the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $78,539 in 2026, financial advisor pay in Bismarck, ND, showcases the ongoing shift in the industry toward different compensation models. This figure highlights a notable contrast to the national median of $108,537 and demonstrates how the local market is shaped by the prevalent wirehouse versus Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) fiduciary divide. Salaries range from $59,232 at the lower end (P10) to $133,102 at the higher end (P90), as derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The varying compensation is often influenced by the assets under management (AUM) model, which can significantly impact annual earnings depending on the advisor's client base and the structure of their practice. Bismarck's job market reflects these dynamics, offering financial advisors a viable yet competitive environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,232 | $28.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,195 | $31.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,539 | $37.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,847 | $49.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,102 | $63.99 |
Median Salary Position
27.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bismarck
In Bismarck, ND, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,870 (2026 est.). At $78,539, the local median is 27.64% below the national median of $108,537.
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At 40 hours/week in Bismarck: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bismarck Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Bismarck median: $78,539/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bismarck Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $99,795 | -21.30% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -27.64% less |
Financial Advisors in Bismarck, ND earn a median of $78,539 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.64% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 21.30% below the North Dakota state average of $99,795.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bismarck has a cost of living 8.98% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bismarck, ND has a cost-of-living index of 91.024 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $78,539 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,284 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,900
2025 BLS Actual
$76,030
2026 Current Est.
$78,539
2019–2027 Growth
+16.1%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,539 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,131 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bismarck metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 8.8% from $69,900 (2019) to $76,030 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,131 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,231 (16.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bismarck 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) | $59,232 – $66,195 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,195 – $78,539 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,539 – $103,847 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,847 – $133,102 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Bismarck
In Bismarck, approximately 130 financial advisors are currently employed, contributing to a relatively robust local market. The cost of living index at 91.024 indicates that living expenses are lower than the national average, potentially enhancing the purchasing power of local financial advisors. Among the highest paying employers in the area, wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch tend to offer more lucrative compensation, albeit often accompanied by commission-based pay structures. Conversely, RIAs and independent broker-dealers may provide more stability through an AUM model, focusing on long-term client relationships. Factors like being credentialed (with CFP or CFA designations), the concentration of high-net-worth clients, and the size of AUM can create a significant spread in earnings. For advisors looking to maximize their financial advisor salary in Bismarck, establishing a diverse client base and obtaining advanced certifications could be essential strategies.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
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 $76,030 for financial advisorsin the Bismarck 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