Financial Advisor Salary in Eau Claire, WI: $117,690 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Eau Claire, WI earns a median $117,690/year (≈ $56.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Eau Claire's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $126,827 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Financial advisors in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $117,690 in 2026, slightly exceeding the national median of $108,537. Those in the lower 10th percentile can expect to earn $63,757, while top earners in the 90th percentile potentially make up to $356,602. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates based on 2025 data, highlights the salary disparity that can often result from some financial advisors operating under different business models, such as wirehouses versus Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs). As the industry shifts towards RIAs, which typically rely on an assets under management (AUM) fee model, job roles and financial advisor pay in Eau Claire reflect this change as firms innovate to attract and retain talent.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,757 | $30.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,291 | $37.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,690 | $56.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $209,854 | $100.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $356,602 | $171.45 |
Median Salary Position
8.43% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Eau Claire
In Eau Claire, WI, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $292,845 (2026 est.). At $117,690, the local median is 8.43% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Eau Claire: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Eau Claire Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Eau Claire median: $117,690/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Eau Claire Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $120,955 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | +8.43% more |
Financial Advisors in Eau Claire, WI earn a median of $117,690 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.43% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 2.70% below the Wisconsin state average of $120,955.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Eau Claire has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Eau Claire, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.796 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $117,690 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $126,827 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,840
2025 BLS Actual
$113,930
2026 Current Est.
$117,690
2019–2027 Growth
+32.4%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Eau Claire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $113,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,690 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,573 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Eau Claire metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 24.1% from $91,840 (2019) to $113,930 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,573 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,733 (32.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Eau Claire 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) | $63,757 – $78,291 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,291 – $117,690 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,690 – $209,854 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $209,854 – $356,602 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Eau Claire
Within Eau Claire, a competitive job market supports approximately 140 financial advisors, providing ample career opportunities in the local community. The cost of living index stands at 92.796, indicating that take-home pay may have more purchasing power compared to larger metropolitan areas, a key consideration for relocating professionals. Among local employers, wirehouses like Merrill Lynch and UBS tend to offer higher compensation packages, yet the independent avenues such as small RIAs often provide greater flexibility and feasible paths to higher earnings. Factors contributing to salary variation include the size of a financial advisor's client base, the structure of fees—1% on AUM for RIAs versus commission structures at wirehouses—and the value placed on credentials like CFP or CFA. For those looking to maximize their financial advisor salary in Eau Claire, focusing on developing a strong client book, enhancing credentials, and possibly considering a transition from commission to fee-based models can prove beneficial in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Eau Claire, 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 $113,930 for financial advisorsin the Eau Claire 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, 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