Financial Advisor Salary in Mountlake Terrace, WA: $96,237 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Mountlake Terrace, WA earns a median $96,237/year (≈ $46.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Mountlake Terrace's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $89,606 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, financial advisors in Mountlake Terrace, WA, can expect a median annual salary of $96,237, indicating a nuanced earnings distribution shaped primarily by the structural divide between wirehouses and Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs). The local salary range stretches from $55,818 at the 10th percentile to $149,168 at the 90th percentile, reflecting significant variations based on factors such as the business model employed, assets under management (AUM), and the advisor's client base. These figures come from estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost of living differences, which can influence overall compensation. The marked difference in advisor pay across various firms points to the competitive nature of the financial advisory landscape in Mountlake Terrace.
About the Mountlake Terrace Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,818 | $26.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,291 | $33.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,237 | $46.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $123,184 | $59.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $149,168 | $71.71 |
Median Salary Position
11.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mountlake Terrace
In Mountlake Terrace, WA, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,350 (2026 est.). At $96,237, the local median is 11.33% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mountlake Terrace: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mountlake Terrace Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Mountlake Terrace median: $96,237/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mountlake Terrace Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $103,928 | -7.40% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -11.33% less |
Financial Advisors in Mountlake Terrace, WA earn a median of $96,237 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.33% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 7.40% below the Washington state average of $103,928.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mountlake Terrace has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mountlake Terrace, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $96,237 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $89,606 — a 6.89% 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
$77,894
2025 BLS Actual
$93,163
2026 Current Est.
$96,237
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Mountlake Terrace (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,894 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,207 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,498 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,295 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,322 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,163 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,237 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,413 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mountlake Terrace metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $77,894 (2019) to $93,163 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,413 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,519 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mountlake Terrace 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) | $55,818 – $69,291 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,291 – $96,237 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,237 – $123,184 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $123,184 – $149,168 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Mountlake Terrace
Despite only four financial advisors currently employed in the region, the job market displays promising growth potential, with an annual growth rate of 3.30%. Local costs of living sit at an index of 107.4, suggesting a higher-than-average expense environment that may affect take-home purchasing power. Among the local employers, wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch often provide competitive salaries, while independent broker-dealers and RIAs may offer more lucrative compensation through fee structures based on AUM rather than commissions. This distinguishes pay levels significantly, hinging on an advisor's credentials such as the CFP or CFA, the concentration of high-net-worth clients, and whether advisors can secure partner equity at RIAs. Financial advisors in Mountlake Terrace aiming to maximize their salary should therefore consider cultivating a robust AUM portfolio while enhancing their professional qualifications and reputation within the community.
More salary data for Mountlake Terrace, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do financial advisors make in Mountlake Terrace, WA in 2026?
Is Mountlake Terrace, WA a good place to work as a financial advisor?
Can financial advisors make $100K in Mountlake Terrace?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted financial advisor salary in Mountlake Terrace?
How much does a financial advisor make per hour in Mountlake Terrace?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $93,163 for financial advisorsin the Mountlake Terrace 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 Mountlake Terrace 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