Financial Advisor Salary in Chattanooga, TN: $77,785 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Chattanooga, TN earns a median $77,785/year (≈ $37.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Chattanooga's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $85,044 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, financial advisors in Chattanooga, TN are projected to earn a median salary of $77,785, a figure significantly lower than the national median of $108,537. This range highlights the local job market’s competitive nature, with earnings spanning from $40,917 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $324,310 for the top earners in the profession. Data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics illustrates how the financial advisor salary in Chattanooga reflects the growing trend towards fee-only fiduciary services, particularly among those holding the CFP credential. As this market continues to evolve, professionals can expect to find growth opportunities that align with the shifting client preferences toward comprehensive financial planning.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,917 | $19.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,836 | $22.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,785 | $37.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $142,234 | $68.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $324,310 | $155.92 |
Median Salary Position
28.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chattanooga
In Chattanooga, TN, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $283,393 (2026 est.). At $77,785, the local median is 28.33% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chattanooga: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Chattanooga Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Chattanooga median: $77,785/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chattanooga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $79,372 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -28.33% less |
Financial Advisors in Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $77,785 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.33% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 2.00% below the Tennessee state average of $79,372.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chattanooga has a cost of living 8.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chattanooga, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.464 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $77,785 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,044 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.33% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,480
2025 BLS Actual
$75,300
2026 Current Est.
$77,785
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,300 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,785 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,352 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chattanooga metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 8.4% from $69,480 (2019) to $75,300 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,352 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,872 (15.65%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chattanooga 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) | $40,917 – $46,836 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,836 – $77,785 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,785 – $142,234 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $142,234 – $324,310 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Chattanooga
With 340 financial advisors currently employed in Chattanooga, the local market presents both challenges and opportunities. The cost of living index at 91.464 means that take-home pay can offer a competitive advantage compared to other regions with higher costs. Advisors working in wirehouses such as Morgan Stanley or Merrill Lynch typically earn more due to their infrastructure and expansive product offerings, whereas independent broker-dealers and RIAs may offer greater autonomy but often operate on a different fee model that can impact overall earnings. Factors like assets under management, investor demographics, and credentialing can create a substantial pay gap between entry-level and seasoned professionals. To maximize financial advisor pay in Chattanooga, focusing on expanding high-net-worth client bases and earning advanced designations like the CFP can enhance one’s marketability and earning potential in this dynamic environment.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
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 $75,300 for financial advisorsin the Chattanooga 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