Financial Advisor Pay

Financial Advisor Salary in Pennsylvania: $118,311 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median financial advisor pay sits at $118,311/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 13-2052. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $121,469 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Altoona ($125,820), Bethlehem ($125,402), Allentown ($122,420).

Financial Advisor Salary in Pennsylvania - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
Pennsylvania financial advisor salary overview (2026)
$118,311
Avg Median Salary
$56.88
Avg Hourly Rate
11,775
Metro Employed
24
Cities

In Pennsylvania, financial advisor salaries for 2026 are projected to average $118,312, surpassing the national median of $108,537 by 9.0%. The range of salaries within the state varies significantly, with Altoona offering the highest at $129,972, while Chambersburg has the lowest at $84,386. This $45,586 difference can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local demand for financial services, and competition among firms in metropolitan areas. Pennsylvania's financial advisors must navigate specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can influence earning potential. The job market shows a strong outlook, with a growth rate of 3.30% anticipated for this role, driven by increasing population needs for financial planning and investment management. Major urban centers like Bethlehem ($129,540), Allentown ($126,460), and Philadelphia ($120,406) contribute to higher salary averages due to their economic activity and access to affluent client bases. Overall, the demand for financial advisors in Pennsylvania is reflective of broader national trends, indicating a solid career choice within the state.

Pennsylvania Financial Advisor Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$61,825
avg across 24 cities
Median
$118,311
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$399,034
avg across 24 cities

Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $38,159 (lowest entry-level) to $486,843 (highest top earner)

Pennsylvania vs National Average

Pennsylvania
$118,311
National Median
$108,537

Pennsylvania financial advisors earn 9.01% more than the national median (+$9,774/year difference).

Pennsylvania Financial Advisor Salary Distribution (2026)

Vertical bar chart showing Pennsylvania financial advisor salary percentiles: 10th percentile $61,825, 25th $79,484, Median $118,311, 75th $179,933, 90th $399,034. US national median is $108,537.$111.7K$223.5K$335.2K$446.9K$61.8K10thEntry Level$79.5K25thEarly Career$118.3KMedianMid Career$179.9K75thExperienced$399.0K90thTop EarnerUS Median $108.5K

Financial Advisor salaries in Pennsylvania range from $61,825 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $399,034 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $118,311. The Pennsylvania median is $9,774 above the US national median of $108,537. The average hourly rate is $56.88/hr. Approximately 11,775 financial advisors are employed across 24 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$81,002

2025 BLS Actual

$114,532

2026 Current Est.

$118,311

2019–2027 Growth

+50.9%

Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Pennsylvania (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for financial advisors in Pennsylvania. Baseline $81,002 in 2025, projected to $122,216 by 2027.$72.8K$87.2K$101.6K$116.0K$130.5K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$81.0K$86.6K$103.9K$109.8K$106.5K$106.4K$114.5K$118.3K$122.2K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$81,002Actual
2020$86,646Actual
2021$103,874Actual
2022$109,756Actual
2023$106,496Actual
2024$106,357Actual
2025$114,532Actual
2026(current)$118,311Estimated
2027$122,216Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 41.4% from $81,002 (2019) to $114,532 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,216 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,214 (50.88%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania

#1
Altoona
40 employed · $62.49/hr
$129,972
+9.86% vs avg
#2
Bethlehem
14 employed · $62.28/hr
$129,540
+9.49% vs avg
#3
Allentown
420 employed · $60.79/hr
$126,460
+6.89% vs avg
#4
Easton
8 employed · $59.76/hr
$124,290
+5.05% vs avg
#5
Philadelphia
7,390 employed · $57.89/hr
$120,406
+1.77% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania

CityMedian Salary
Chambersburg$84,386
West Chester$98,315
Johnstown$98,383
Pottstown$99,042
New Castle$100,471

Best Value Cities for Financial Advisors in Pennsylvania

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for financial advisors.

CityNominal SalaryCoL IndexAdjusted Salary
Altoona$129,97289.507$145,209
Bethlehem$129,54097.4$132,998
Easton$124,29097.4$127,608
Allentown$126,46099.968$126,500
Pittsburgh$119,41594.671$126,137

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania

Experience LevelEstimated Annual
Entry Level (0-2 years)$61,825
Mid Career (3-7 years)$118,311
Experienced (7+ years)$399,034

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 24 Cities in Pennsylvania

#CityMedian Salary
1Altoona$129,972
2Bethlehem$129,540
3Allentown$126,460
4Easton$124,290
5Philadelphia$120,406
6Pittsburgh$119,415
7York$119,353
8Harrisburg$116,140
9Scranton$106,606
10Lebanon$103,465
11Williamsport$103,424
12Wilkes-Barre$103,343
13Lancaster$103,104
14Reading$102,391
15Hazleton$101,910
16Norristown$101,713
17State College$101,658
18Chester$101,477
19Erie$100,583
20New Castle$100,471
21Pottstown$99,042
22Johnstown$98,383
23West Chester$98,315
24Chambersburg$84,386

More Pennsylvania Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore financial advisor hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new financial advisors.

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced financial advisors.

Compare Cities in Pennsylvania

View all comparisons →

Explore More Financial Advisor Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do financial advisors make in Pennsylvania in 2026?

The average median financial advisor salary in Pennsylvania is $118,311/year across 24 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $84,386 in Chambersburg to $129,972 in Altoona. This makes Pennsylvania one of the higher-paying states, at 9.01% above the national median of $108,537. The state employs approximately 11,775 financial advisors.

What is the highest paying city for financial advisors in Pennsylvania?

Altoona offers the highest financial advisor salary in Pennsylvania at $129,972/year ($62.49/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Altoona ($129,972), Bethlehem ($129,540), Allentown ($126,460). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for financial planning services, and competition among employers for licensed financial advisors.

How does Pennsylvania financial advisor pay compare to the national average?

Pennsylvania's average financial advisor salary of $118,311 is 9.01% above the national median of $108,537 in 2026. The state employs approximately 11,775 financial advisors across 24 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level financial advisor salary in Pennsylvania?

Entry-level financial advisors (10th percentile) in Pennsylvania earn approximately $61,825/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $38,159 in lower-paying areas to $75,133 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many financial advisors are employed in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania employs approximately 11,775 financial advisors across 24 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. This makes Pennsylvania one of the larger employers of financial advisors nationally. Demand continues to grow as the financial planning field expands and the population ages.

Which Pennsylvania city offers the best value for financial advisors?

When adjusted for cost of living, Altoona offers the highest purchasing power for financial advisors in Pennsylvania, with an adjusted salary of $145,209 (nominal: $129,972, CoL index: 89.507). This means your dollar goes 12% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.
JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Sophia Martinez, CFAData verified by Ethan Wang, ChFC

Methodology & Data Source

Statewide 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. A 3.30% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 financial advisor compensation across Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 metro areas — larger metro areas with more financial advisorscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.

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

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