Financial Advisor Salary in Columbia, SC: $97,236 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Columbia, SC earns a median $97,236/year (≈ $46.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.7), that paycheck buys what $103,816 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The financial advisor salary in Columbia, South Carolina, is characterized by a complex interplay between the wirehouse and Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) business models. The 2026 median annual salary is projected at $97,236, which is about 10.41% lower than the national median of $108,537. With a salary range spanning from $46,867 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $338,700 at the 90th percentile, compensation levels in Columbia reflect the growing importance of assets under management (AUM) in the fee structure of financial advisory services. These figures, derived from BLS OEWS surveys based on 2025 data, reveal a local job market where strategic positioning—either as a fiduciary RIA or a commission-based wirehouse advisor—can significantly influence earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,867 | $22.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,615 | $26.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,236 | $46.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $183,213 | $88.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $338,700 | $162.84 |
Median Salary Position
10.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, SC, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $291,833 (2026 est.). At $97,236, the local median is 10.41% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Columbia Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Columbia median: $97,236/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $102,570 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -10.41% less |
Financial Advisors in Columbia, SC earn a median of $97,236 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.41% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 5.20% below the South Carolina state average of $102,570.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 6.34% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.662 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $97,236 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,816 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,270
2025 BLS Actual
$94,130
2026 Current Est.
$97,236
2019–2027 Growth
+63.9%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,430 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,236 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,445 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 53.6% from $61,270 (2019) to $94,130 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,445 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,175 (63.94%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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) | $46,867 – $54,615 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,615 – $97,236 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,236 – $183,213 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $183,213 – $338,700 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Columbia
In terms of local employment, Columbia offers positions for 430 financial advisors, a number indicative of a stable job market. However, the cost of living is also an essential factor to consider, with a cost-of-living index of 93.662, meaning take-home pay can stretch further in this area compared to the national average. Within the local industry, notable employers typically include wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch, which may offer higher compensation packages, driven by commission structures. The variance between the lowest and highest salaries can be attributed to several factors: for example, advisors managing larger AUM books often command higher fees, while those with prestigious certifications such as CFP or CFA may enjoy a premium in earnings. Advisors looking to maximize their financial advisor pay in Columbia SC should focus on building strong client relationships and potentially transitioning to an independent advisory model, which can provide greater flexibility and potential for long-term client retention.
More salary data for Columbia, 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 $94,130 for financial advisorsin the Columbia 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