Financial Advisor Salary in Staunton, VA: $138,319 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Staunton, VA earns a median $138,319/year (≈ $66.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Staunton's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $151,785 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 47.7% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Staunton, Virginia, the financial advisor salary is notably strong, with a median annual pay projected to be $138,319 in 2026. This figure positions local professionals approximately 27.44% above the national median of $108,537, reflecting an active market influenced by both wirehouse and RIA advisory models. The salary range here spans from $55,555 at the 10th percentile to a remarkable $926,859 at the 90th percentile. Derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures encapsulate the dynamic nature of compensation structures in the area. With an increasing number of financial advisors adopting asset-based fee models, earnings potential can vary widely, driven by factors like the advisor's client base and service approach.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,555 | $26.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,196 | $37.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,319 | $66.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $208,036 | $100.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $926,859 | $445.61 |
Median Salary Position
27.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Staunton
In Staunton, VA, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $871,304 (2026 est.). At $138,319, the local median is 27.44% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Staunton: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Staunton Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Staunton median: $138,319/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Staunton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $93,648 | +47.70% more |
| National Average | $108,537 | +27.44% more |
Financial Advisors in Staunton, VA earn a median of $138,319 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.44% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 47.70% above the Virginia state average of $93,648.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Staunton has a cost of living 8.87% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Staunton, VA has a cost-of-living index of 91.128 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $138,319 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $151,785 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.74% boost.
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
$111,955
2025 BLS Actual
$133,900
2026 Current Est.
$138,319
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Staunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,955 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,319 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,883 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Staunton metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $111,955 (2019) to $133,900 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,883 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,928 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Staunton 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) | $55,555 – $77,196 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,196 – $138,319 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,319 – $208,036 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $208,036 – $926,859 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Staunton
The employment landscape for financial advisors in Staunton includes around 40 professionals, which speaks to a relatively tight-knit community that fosters growth, particularly for those aligned with RIAs and independent broker-dealers. The cost of living index in Staunton stands at 91.128, suggesting that financial advisors can enjoy a reasonable purchasing power relative to their earnings. Employers such as Morgan Stanley, UBS, and independent RIAs often provide competitive salaries, with wirehouses typically featuring varying commission structures that impact total compensation. The disparity in pay reflects critical variables, including assets under management, client concentration, and professional credentials like the CFP or CFA, which can elevate an advisor's earnings. To maximize earning potential in Staunton, advisors are encouraged to enhance their client relationships, pursue high-net-worth clientele, and consider transitioning to models that favor fiduciary compensation frameworks over traditional commission-based structures.
More salary data for Staunton, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do financial advisors make in Staunton, VA in 2026?
Is Staunton, VA a good place to work as a financial advisor?
Can financial advisors make $100K in Staunton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted financial advisor salary in Staunton?
How much does a financial advisor make per hour in Staunton?
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 $133,900 for financial advisorsin the Staunton 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, 6-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