Financial Advisor Salary in Fargo, ND: $78,405 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Fargo, ND earns a median $78,405/year (≈ $37.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Fargo's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $86,282 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 21.5% below the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fargo, North Dakota, the expected median annual compensation for financial advisors in 2026 is projected to be $78,405, considerably below the national median of $108,537. Salary ranges here vary significantly, from $61,433 at the 10th percentile to $141,996 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse business models and client bases across the industry. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights a growing trend in fiduciary fee-only advisors, who often command higher fees through AUM-based compensation models. The financial advisory sector in Fargo is thriving, with strong demand for skilled advisors amidst increasing client focus on comprehensive financial management.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,433 | $29.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,430 | $31.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,405 | $37.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,854 | $51.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $141,996 | $68.27 |
Median Salary Position
27.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fargo
In Fargo, ND, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,563 (2026 est.). At $78,405, the local median is 27.76% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fargo: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Fargo Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Fargo median: $78,405/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fargo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $99,879 | -21.50% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -27.76% less |
Financial Advisors in Fargo, ND earn a median of $78,405 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.76% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 21.50% below the North Dakota state average of $99,879.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fargo has a cost of living 9.13% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fargo, ND has a cost-of-living index of 90.871 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $78,405 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,282 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,880
2025 BLS Actual
$75,900
2026 Current Est.
$78,405
2019–2027 Growth
+19.3%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,405 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,992 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fargo metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 11.8% from $67,880 (2019) to $75,900 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,992 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,112 (19.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fargo 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) | $61,433 – $65,430 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,430 – $78,405 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,405 – $106,854 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,854 – $141,996 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Fargo
The local job market is relatively robust, with around 250 financial advisors currently employed in the area. Given that Fargo's cost of living index stands at 90.871, advisors may find that their take-home pay affords more purchasing power compared to higher-cost cities. Among local employers, those affiliated with wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch tend to offer higher compensation opportunities, particularly for advisors who manage substantial AUM. Factors contributing to the income variance include the fee structures advisors employ—1% AUM at RIAs versus commission-based compensation at wirehouses—and the presence of well-connected, high-net-worth clientele. For financial advisors in Fargo, securing the CFP credential can boost earnings and enhance client trust, while those pursuing roles at independent firms can leverage partnership opportunities and breakaway packages to maximize their financial advisor salary in Fargo.
More salary data for Fargo, 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 $75,900 for financial advisorsin the Fargo 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