Financial Advisor Pay

Financial Advisor Salary in Virginia: $106,842 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median financial advisor pay sits at $106,842/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 13-2052. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $103,529 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Staunton ($133,900), Charlottesville ($126,940), Richmond ($110,910).

Financial Advisor Salary in Virginia - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
Virginia financial advisor salary overview (2026)
$106,842
Avg Median Salary
$51.37
Avg Hourly Rate
2,607
Metro Employed
42
Cities

In 2026, financial advisors in Virginia are projected to earn an average median salary of $106,842, slightly below the national median of $108,537, reflecting a difference of 1.6%. The highest paying city, Staunton, offers a salary of $138,319, while Winchester presents the lowest at $61,970, creating a significant salary gap of $76,349. This disparity is largely influenced by factors such as the local cost of living, client demographics, and economic activity in different regions. Virginia's job market for financial advisors is expected to show a growth rate of 3.30% annually, indicating a steady demand for these professionals. State-specific elements, including licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, shape the hiring landscape. Advisors must comply with Virginia's regulatory environment, which influences how they operate and serve clients. Top cities for financial advisor salaries in 2026 include Staunton at $138,319, Charlottesville at $131,129, Richmond at $114,570, Alexandria at $108,809, and Virginia Beach at $100,685. Understanding the regional dynamics and adhering to state regulations will be essential for financial advisors looking to succeed in Virginia's evolving financial landscape.

Virginia Financial Advisor Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$56,014
avg across 42 cities
Median
$106,842
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$338,965
avg across 42 cities

Overall salary range in Virginia: $47,446 (lowest entry-level) to $926,859 (highest top earner)

Virginia vs National Average

Virginia
$106,842
National Median
$108,537

Virginia financial advisors earn 1.56% less than the national median ($-1,695/year difference).

Virginia Financial Advisor Salary Distribution (2026)

Vertical bar chart showing Virginia financial advisor salary percentiles: 10th percentile $56,014, 25th $76,353, Median $106,842, 75th $168,504, 90th $338,965. US national median is $108,537.$94.9K$189.8K$284.7K$379.6K$56.0K10thEntry Level$76.4K25thEarly Career$106.8KMedianMid Career$168.5K75thExperienced$339.0K90thTop EarnerUS Median $108.5K

Financial Advisor salaries in Virginia range from $56,014 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $338,965 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $106,842. The Virginia median is $1,695 below the US national median of $108,537. The average hourly rate is $51.37/hr. Approximately 2,607 financial advisors are employed across 42 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$103,579

2025 BLS Actual

$103,429

2026 Current Est.

$106,842

2019–2027 Growth

+6.6%

Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Virginia (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for financial advisors in Virginia. Baseline $103,579 in 2025, projected to $110,368 by 2027.$83.4K$91.2K$99.1K$107.0K$114.9K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$103.6K$109.6K$95.2K$87.9K$97.1K$104.7K$103.4K$106.8K$110.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$103,579Actual
2020$109,574Actual
2021$95,214Actual
2022$87,875Actual
2023$97,101Actual
2024$104,727Actual
2025$103,429Actual
2026(current)$106,842Estimated
2027$110,368Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew -0.1% from $103,579 (2019) to $103,429 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,368 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,789 (6.55%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Virginia

#1
Staunton
40 employed · $66.50/hr
$138,319
+29.46% vs avg
#2
Charlottesville
200 employed · $63.04/hr
$131,129
+22.73% vs avg
#3
Richmond
1,350 employed · $55.08/hr
$114,570
+7.23% vs avg
#4
Alexandria
26 employed · $52.31/hr
$108,809
+1.84% vs avg
#5
Virginia Beach
97 employed · $48.41/hr
$100,685
-5.76% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia

CityMedian Salary
Winchester$61,970
Blacksburg$81,121
Radford$82,540
Falls Church$86,363
Herndon$87,736

Best Value Cities for Financial Advisors in Virginia

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for financial advisors.

CityNominal SalaryCoL IndexAdjusted Salary
Staunton$138,31991.128$151,785
Charlottesville$131,12999.146$132,258
Richmond$114,57097.858$117,078
Alexandria$108,809103.2$105,435
Lynchburg$92,60889.363$103,631

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Virginia

Experience LevelEstimated Annual
Entry Level (0-2 years)$56,014
Mid Career (3-7 years)$106,842
Experienced (7+ years)$338,965

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 42 Cities in Virginia

#CityMedian Salary
1Staunton$138,319
2Charlottesville$131,129
3Richmond$114,570
4Alexandria$108,809
5Virginia Beach$100,685
6Norfolk$97,911
7Chesapeake$96,846
8Roanoke$94,716
9Bristol$94,579
10Newport News$94,390
11Hampton$93,558
12Centreville$93,122
13Lynchburg$92,608
14Burke$92,492
15Suffolk$92,091
16Tuckahoe$91,830
17Harrisonburg$91,720
18Ashburn$91,698
19McLean$91,692
20Reston$91,594
21Danville$91,575
22Fredericksburg$91,183
23Dale City$91,164
24Manassas$91,066
25Salem$90,812
26Leesburg$90,682
27Portsmouth$90,630
28Mechanicsville$90,486
29Springfield$90,165
30Woodbridge$90,041
31Sterling$89,868
32Lake Ridge$89,751
33Linton Hall$89,649
34Fairfax$89,420
35Waynesboro$88,983
36Annandale$88,865
37Williamsburg$88,694
38Herndon$87,736
39Falls Church$86,363
40Radford$82,540
41Blacksburg$81,121
42Winchester$61,970

More Virginia Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore financial advisor hourly pay in Virginia 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 Virginia in 2026?

The average median financial advisor salary in Virginia is $106,842/year across 42 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $61,970 in Winchester to $138,319 in Staunton. This makes Virginia 1.56% below the national median of $108,537. The state employs approximately 2,607 financial advisors.

What is the highest paying city for financial advisors in Virginia?

Staunton offers the highest financial advisor salary in Virginia at $138,319/year ($66.50/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Staunton ($138,319), Charlottesville ($131,129), Richmond ($114,570). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for financial planning services, and competition among employers for licensed financial advisors.

How does Virginia financial advisor pay compare to the national average?

Virginia's average financial advisor salary of $106,842 is 1.56% below the national median of $108,537 in 2026. The state employs approximately 2,607 financial advisors across 42 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level financial advisor salary in Virginia?

Entry-level financial advisors (10th percentile) in Virginia earn approximately $56,014/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $47,446 in lower-paying areas to $63,109 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many financial advisors are employed in Virginia?

Virginia employs approximately 2,607 financial advisors across 42 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the financial planning field expands and the population ages.

Which Virginia city offers the best value for financial advisors?

When adjusted for cost of living, Staunton offers the highest purchasing power for financial advisors in Virginia, with an adjusted salary of $151,785 (nominal: $138,319, CoL index: 91.128). This means your dollar goes 10% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.
JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Sophia Martinez, CFAData verified by Ethan Wang, ChFC

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 Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 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

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