Financial Advisor Salary in South Carolina: $100,498 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median financial advisor pay sits at $100,498/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 13-2052. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $109,834 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: North Charleston ($128,380), Charleston ($125,700), Mount Pleasant ($100,787).
In South Carolina, the average median salary for financial advisors in 2026 is projected to be $100,497, which is lower than the national median of $108,537, reflecting a 7.4% salary gap. The highest-paying city in the state is North Charleston at $132,617, while Clemson offers the lowest at $94,487, demonstrating a significant difference driven by factors such as local cost of living, demand for services, and client demographics. Key cities like Charleston and Mount Pleasant also present competitive salaries at $129,848 and $104,113, respectively, indicating regional variations influenced by economic conditions and population density. South Carolina has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can impact the earning potential of financial advisors. Additionally, an expected growth rate of 3.30% in the job market indicates steady demand for financial advisory services, driven by a growing population and increasing financial literacy. With a total of 1,339 financial advisors employed statewide, the outlook appears favorable for those entering the profession, especially in urban centers where demand tends to be greater. This environment presents opportunities for advisors to establish and grow their practices.
South Carolina Financial Advisor Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $43,562 (lowest entry-level) to $430,069 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina financial advisors earn 7.41% less than the national median ($-8,039/year difference).
South Carolina Financial Advisor Salary Distribution (2026)
Financial Advisor salaries in South Carolina range from $49,128 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $305,406 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $100,498. The South Carolina median is $8,039 below the US national median of $108,537. The average hourly rate is $48.32/hr. Approximately 1,339 financial advisors are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,589
2025 BLS Actual
$97,287
2026 Current Est.
$100,498
2019–2027 Growth
+63.3%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,589 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,788 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,507 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,675 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,081 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,841 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,287 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,498 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,814 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 53.0% from $63,589 (2019) to $97,287 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,814 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,225 (63.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Best Value Cities for Financial Advisors in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for financial advisors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston | $132,617 | 91.5 | $144,937 |
| Charleston | $129,848 | 100.962 | $128,611 |
| Florence | $101,472 | 86.774 | $116,938 |
| Mount Pleasant | $104,113 | 91.5 | $113,785 |
| Spartanburg | $102,608 | 91.051 | $112,693 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,128 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $100,498 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $305,406 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Charleston | $132,617 |
| 2 | Charleston | $129,848 |
| 3 | Mount Pleasant | $104,113 |
| 4 | Hilton Head Island | $103,827 |
| 5 | Myrtle Beach | $103,155 |
| 6 | Greer | $102,713 |
| 7 | Anderson | $102,609 |
| 8 | Spartanburg | $102,608 |
| 9 | Rock Hill | $102,196 |
| 10 | Bluffton | $101,854 |
| 11 | Aiken | $101,747 |
| 12 | Hanahan | $101,604 |
| 13 | Florence | $101,472 |
| 14 | Conway | $101,254 |
| 15 | Mauldin | $101,007 |
| 16 | Summerville | $100,464 |
| 17 | Greenville | $100,294 |
| 18 | Simpsonville | $98,809 |
| 19 | Fort Mill | $98,762 |
| 20 | Goose Creek | $98,531 |
| 21 | Sumter | $97,719 |
| 22 | Columbia | $97,236 |
| 23 | Lexington | $96,918 |
| 24 | Easley | $95,190 |
| 25 | Tega Cay | $94,665 |
| 26 | Clemson | $94,487 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore financial advisor hourly pay in South Carolina cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new financial advisors.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced financial advisors.
Explore More Financial Advisor Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do financial advisors make in South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for financial advisors in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina financial advisor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level financial advisor salary in South Carolina?
How many financial advisors are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina city offers the best value for financial advisors?
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
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 South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 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