Financial Advisor Salary in Reston, VA: $91,594 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Reston, VA earns a median $91,594/year (≈ $44.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Reston's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $88,754 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Reston, Virginia, financial advisors can expect a median annual salary of $91,594 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $108,537. The projected salary range for these professionals in this area falls between $53,124 at the 10th percentile and $141,970 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse landscape of compensation within the financial advisory sector. Salaries in Reston are influenced by the bifurcation in the industry between wirehouse firms and Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs), with the former typically using a commission-based model while the latter often employs an assets under management (AUM) structure. Given the local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, it’s evident that advisors must navigate these differing compensation frameworks as they build their careers in Reston's financial services market.
About the Reston Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,124 | $25.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,948 | $31.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,594 | $44.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117,240 | $56.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $141,970 | $68.25 |
Median Salary Position
15.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Reston
In Reston, VA, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,846 (2026 est.). At $91,594, the local median is 15.61% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Reston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Reston Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Reston median: $91,594/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Reston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $93,654 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -15.61% less |
Financial Advisors in Reston, VA earn a median of $91,594 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.61% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 2.20% below the Virginia state average of $93,654.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Reston has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Reston, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $91,594 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $88,754 — a 3.1% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$74,136
2025 BLS Actual
$88,668
2026 Current Est.
$91,594
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Reston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,136 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,385 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,499 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,035 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,087 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,668 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,594 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,617 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Reston metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $74,136 (2019) to $88,668 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,617 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,481 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Reston 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) | $53,124 – $65,948 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,948 – $91,594 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,594 – $117,240 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $117,240 – $141,970 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Reston
The local job market for financial advisors in Reston is relatively small, with only 16 professionals currently employed in the area. This limited pool, combined with a cost of living index of 103.2, suggests that advisors must carefully consider their take-home pay relative to local expenses. Among the various employers, wirehouses such as Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley tend to pay the highest salaries, often linked to the size of AUM and client portfolios. The spread between low and high pay for financial advisors in Reston is influenced by factors like credentialing premiums associated with CFP or CFA designations, client concentration, and the transition packages available to advisors moving from traditional brokerages to RIAs. To maximize earning potential in this specific market, advisors should focus on developing a robust client base, enhancing their professional credentials, and exploring employment opportunities at firms that offer competitive compensation structures aligned with a fee-only fiduciary model.
More salary data for Reston, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do financial advisors make in Reston, VA in 2026?
Is Reston, VA a good place to work as a financial advisor?
Can financial advisors make $100K in Reston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted financial advisor salary in Reston?
How much does a financial advisor make per hour in Reston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 $88,668 for financial advisorsin the Reston 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 Reston 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