Financial Advisor Salary in Appleton, WI: $119,522 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Appleton, WI earns a median $119,522/year (≈ $57.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Appleton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $127,968 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, financial advisors in Appleton, WI, can expect a median annual salary of $119,522, slightly above the national median of $108,537. Salary estimates indicate a significant range from $69,323 at the 10th percentile to $185,259 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse pay scales influenced by the structural divide between wirehouses and Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs). The AUM (assets under management) model utilized by many RIAs typically offers a fee-based income structure, contrasting with the commission framework adopted by many wirehouses. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, provide a glimpse into the competitive financial advisor salary landscape in Appleton, an area characterized by evolving practices in financial planning.
About the Appleton Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,323 | $33.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,056 | $41.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,522 | $57.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $152,988 | $73.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,259 | $89.07 |
Median Salary Position
10.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Appleton
In Appleton, WI, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $115,936 (2026 est.). At $119,522, the local median is 10.12% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Appleton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Appleton Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Appleton median: $119,522/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Appleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $120,974 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | +10.12% more |
Financial Advisors in Appleton, WI earn a median of $119,522 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.12% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 1.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $120,974.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Appleton has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Appleton, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $119,522 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $127,968 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,840
2025 BLS Actual
$115,704
2026 Current Est.
$119,522
2019–2027 Growth
+58.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Appleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,704 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,522 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,466 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Appleton metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 48.6% from $77,840 (2019) to $115,704 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,466 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,626 (58.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Appleton 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) | $69,323 – $86,056 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,056 – $119,522 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,522 – $152,988 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $152,988 – $185,259 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Appleton
The local job market is relatively small, with only 17 financial advisors employed in Appleton, suggesting that competition for clients may drive differences in compensation structures. With a cost-of-living index of 93.4, financial advisor pay in Appleton allows for a reasonable standard of living compared to national averages, enhancing purchasing power for professionals managing client portfolios. Among local employers, firms like Northwestern Mutual and Edward Jones may offer competitive salaries, likely due to their comprehensive training programs and established client bases. The earnings gap within this profession can be attributed to factors such as AUM book sizes, advisory fee structures, and the prevalence of high-net-worth clients. For those looking to elevate their financial advisor pay in Appleton, focusing on obtaining reputable credentials like CFP or CFA can be a strategic advantage to attract premium clients and optimize income through fiduciary relationships.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $115,704 for financial advisorsin the Appleton 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 Appleton 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