Financial Advisor Salary in State College, PA: $101,658 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in State College, PA earns a median $101,658/year (≈ $48.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in State College's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.8), that paycheck buys what $105,060 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, financial advisors in State College, Pennsylvania, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $101,658, reflecting the growing trend towards fee-only fiduciary services, especially among those with Certified Financial Planner (CFP) credentials. The salary spectrum ranges from $44,336 at the lower percentile to $328,835 at the upper echelons of the market, showcasing significant earning potential depending on experience and performance. These estimates, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, highlight the local market’s responsiveness to the evolving demands of clients seeking comprehensive financial services. As State College continues to grow as an academic and economic hub, opportunities for financial advisors are expected to expand further.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,336 | $21.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,986 | $33.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,658 | $48.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $152,130 | $73.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $328,835 | $158.09 |
Median Salary Position
6.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in State College
In State College, PA, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $284,499 (2026 est.). At $101,658, the local median is 6.34% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in State College: You'd be in the entry-level range
How State College Financial Advisor Pay Compares
State College median: $101,658/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | State College Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $105,018 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -6.34% less |
Financial Advisors in State College, PA earn a median of $101,658 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.34% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 3.20% below the Pennsylvania state average of $105,018.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
State College has a cost of living 3.24% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
State College, PA has a cost-of-living index of 96.762 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $101,658 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,060 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.35% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,420
2025 BLS Actual
$98,410
2026 Current Est.
$101,658
2019–2027 Growth
+55.8%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in State College (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,658 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,012 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the State College metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 46.0% from $67,420 (2019) to $98,410 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,012 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,592 (55.76%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the State College 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) | $44,336 – $69,986 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,986 – $101,658 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,658 – $152,130 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $152,130 – $328,835 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in State College
With 140 financial advisors currently working in State College, the local job market is robust but comes with its unique dynamics. The cost of living index stands at 96.762, indicating a lower-than-average expenditure compared to national standards, which positively affects take-home pay for advisors in the area. Top-paying employers often include established wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch, as well as independent broker-dealers and Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs). The vast disparity in compensation can largely be attributed to factors such as assets under management (AUM), the fee model employed, and client demographics. Advisors can maximize their financial advisor pay in State College by embracing fiduciary practices, cultivating high-net-worth (HNW) client relationships, and potentially transitioning to fee-based models to enhance revenue streams. In this evolving landscape, staying informed about market trends and networking can greatly impact long-term success.
More salary data for State College, PA:
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 $98,410 for financial advisorsin the State College 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