Financial Advisor Salary in Washington: $114,187 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Washington's 50 metropolitan areas, the average median financial advisor pay sits at $114,187/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 13-2052. Because Washington sits at BEA RPP 107.4 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $106,319 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Vancouver ($123,621), Bellevue ($115,662), Seattle ($114,540).

The landscape for financial advisor salaries in Washington is promising as of 2026, with an average median salary of $114,188, slightly above the national median of $108,537, marking a 5.2% increase. Vancouver leads the state with the highest salary at $127,700, while Lacey has the lowest at $78,827, which reflects a significant salary gap of $48,873. This disparity can often be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for financial services, and the concentration of high-net-worth clients in urban areas. Washington's state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws are critical elements that influence income potential. Advisors must hold a valid state license and comply with specific regulatory standards, which can affect their service offerings and client engagement strategies. The forecasted annual growth rate for financial advisor positions in Washington is 3.30%, indicating stable demand for financial planning services amidst a shifting economic landscape. The strong job market is underscored by a total employment figure of 5,272 financial advisors in the state, highlighting robust opportunities for new entrants. Cities like Bellevue at $119,479 and Seattle at $118,320 continue to reflect the diverse earning potential within the state. With ongoing demand, career prospects in this field remain favorable across Washington.
Washington Financial Advisor Salary Range
Overall salary range in Washington: $45,720 (lowest entry-level) to $449,396 (highest top earner)
Washington vs National Average
Washington financial advisors earn 5.21% more than the national median (+$5,650/year difference).
Washington Financial Advisor Salary Distribution (2026)
Financial Advisor salaries in Washington range from $60,376 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $392,169 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $114,187. The Washington median is $5,650 above the US national median of $108,537. The average hourly rate is $54.90/hr. Approximately 5,272 financial advisors are employed across 50 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$103,330
2025 BLS Actual
$110,540
2026 Current Est.
$114,187
2019–2027 Growth
+14.2%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,999 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,285 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,201 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,845 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,187 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117,956 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 7.0% from $103,330 (2019) to $110,540 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $117,956 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,626 (14.15%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Washington
Lowest Paying Cities in Washington
Best Value Cities for Financial Advisors in Washington
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Washington cities offer the most purchasing power for financial advisors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | $127,700 | 107.4 | $118,901 |
| Bellevue | $119,479 | 107.4 | $111,247 |
| Tacoma | $116,346 | 107.4 | $108,330 |
| Seattle | $118,320 | 111.133 | $106,467 |
| Kennewick | $105,283 | 100.079 | $105,200 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $60,376 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $114,187 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $392,169 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Washington metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 50 Cities in Washington
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vancouver | $127,700 |
| 2 | Bellevue | $119,479 |
| 3 | Seattle | $118,320 |
| 4 | Tacoma | $116,346 |
| 5 | Richland | $107,477 |
| 6 | Bremerton | $106,967 |
| 7 | Bellingham | $106,823 |
| 8 | Renton | $106,672 |
| 9 | Everett | $105,638 |
| 10 | Kennewick | $105,283 |
| 11 | Marysville | $104,847 |
| 12 | Spokane Valley | $104,603 |
| 13 | Shoreline | $104,271 |
| 14 | Redmond | $103,859 |
| 15 | Kent | $103,773 |
| 16 | Kirkland | $103,604 |
| 17 | Burien | $103,473 |
| 18 | Federal Way | $103,017 |
| 19 | Des Moines | $102,995 |
| 20 | Auburn | $102,756 |
| 21 | Lakewood | $102,714 |
| 22 | Issaquah | $102,656 |
| 23 | Spokane | $102,629 |
| 24 | Sammamish | $101,982 |
| 25 | University Place | $101,947 |
| 26 | SeaTac | $101,866 |
| 27 | Pasco | $101,430 |
| 28 | Longview | $101,382 |
| 29 | Mount Vernon | $101,123 |
| 30 | Edmonds | $100,809 |
| 31 | Lake Stevens | $100,543 |
| 32 | Lynnwood | $100,478 |
| 33 | Moses Lake | $100,285 |
| 34 | Bothell | $100,212 |
| 35 | Pullman | $99,768 |
| 36 | Puyallup | $99,543 |
| 37 | Wenatchee | $99,333 |
| 38 | Ellensburg | $99,169 |
| 39 | Maple Valley | $98,897 |
| 40 | Walla Walla | $98,679 |
| 41 | Camas | $98,647 |
| 42 | Oak Harbor | $98,231 |
| 43 | Kenmore | $97,598 |
| 44 | Covington | $97,590 |
| 45 | Mountlake Terrace | $96,237 |
| 46 | Tukwila | $96,089 |
| 47 | Yakima | $82,382 |
| 48 | Tumwater | $80,207 |
| 49 | Olympia | $79,479 |
| 50 | Lacey | $78,827 |
More Washington Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore financial advisor hourly pay in Washington cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced financial advisors.
Compare Cities in Washington
View all comparisons →Explore More Financial Advisor Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do financial advisors make in Washington in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for financial advisors in Washington?
How does Washington financial advisor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level financial advisor salary in Washington?
How many financial advisors are employed in Washington?
Which Washington city offers the best value for financial advisors?
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
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 Washington. State averages are employment-weighted across 50 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