Financial Advisor Salary in Clemson, SC: $94,487 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Clemson, SC earns a median $94,487/year (≈ $45.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Clemson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $103,264 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, financial advisors in Clemson, South Carolina, are projected to enjoy a median annual salary of $94,487. This figure is notably lower than the national median salary of $108,537, reflecting a regional variance in compensation that may intrigue prospective advisors. Compensation ranges significantly, with earnings starting at approximately $54,803 and reaching up to $146,456 for top performers. The estimates provided are drawn from data based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions. As the job market for financial advisors continues to evolve, particularly with the distinctions between wirehouse strategies and independent Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs), professionals must consider these compensation trends when entering the field in Clemson.
About the Clemson Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,803 | $26.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,031 | $32.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,487 | $45.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,944 | $58.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,456 | $70.41 |
Median Salary Position
12.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clemson
In Clemson, SC, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $91,653 (2026 est.). At $94,487, the local median is 12.94% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clemson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clemson Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Clemson median: $94,487/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clemson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $102,592 | -7.90% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -12.94% less |
Financial Advisors in Clemson, SC earn a median of $94,487 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.94% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 7.90% below the South Carolina state average of $102,592.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clemson has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clemson, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $94,487 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,264 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,478
2025 BLS Actual
$91,469
2026 Current Est.
$94,487
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Clemson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,478 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,766 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,042 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,148 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,469 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,487 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,606 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clemson metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $76,478 (2019) to $91,469 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,606 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,128 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clemson 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) | $54,803 – $68,031 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,031 – $94,487 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,487 – $120,944 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,944 – $146,456 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Clemson
With only six financial advisors employed in the area, the local job market for financial advisory roles in Clemson is relatively tight. The cost of living index sits at 91.5, suggesting that while local salaries may be lower than the national average, the affordability of living in the region could make them more attractive. Leading employers in this market, such as Morgan Stanley and LPL Financial, tend to pay the highest salaries, influenced by their commission-based structures and levels of assets under management (AUM). The disparity in pay among financial advisors often stems from factors like AUM book size, fee model dynamics—where RIAs usually implement a 1% AUM fee as opposed to commissions—and the credentials held by advisors, such as the CFP or CFA designations. Given these local financial realities, aspiring advisors in Clemson should focus on building robust client bases, acquiring relevant certifications, and considering transitions from wirehouse to fiduciary models to effectively maximize their earnings potential.
More salary data for Clemson, SC:
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 $91,469 for financial advisorsin the Clemson 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
Salary data for Clemson is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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