Financial Advisor Salary in Madison, WI: $130,158 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Madison, WI earns a median $130,158/year (≈ $62.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Madison's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $133,788 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Madison, Wisconsin, the financial advisor salary in Madison reflects a nuanced divide between the wirehouse and Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) models. For 2026, the projected median annual salary stands at $130,158, surpassing the national median of $108,537 by nearly 20%. Within this market, salaries range widely from $54,222 at the lower end (10th percentile) to an impressive $524,031 at the upper end (90th percentile). The varying compensation reflects not only the structural differences in how these advisors are compensated, such as the AUM-based model prevalent among RIAs versus the commission structures at wirehouses, but also the overall health of the financial advisory market in the region, suggesting promising opportunities for potential entrants.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,222 | $26.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,305 | $38.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,158 | $62.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $223,407 | $107.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $524,031 | $251.94 |
Median Salary Position
19.92% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, WI, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $469,809 (2026 est.). At $130,158, the local median is 19.92% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Madison Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Madison median: $130,158/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $120,965 | +7.60% more |
| National Average | $108,537 | +19.92% more |
Financial Advisors in Madison, WI earn a median of $130,158 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.92% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 7.60% above the Wisconsin state average of $120,965.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison has a cost of living 2.71% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madison, WI has a cost-of-living index of 97.287 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $130,158 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $133,788 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.79% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,310
2025 BLS Actual
$126,000
2026 Current Est.
$130,158
2019–2027 Growth
+31.4%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,158 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,453 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 23.2% from $102,310 (2019) to $126,000 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,453 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,143 (31.42%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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) | $54,222 – $80,305 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,305 – $130,158 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,158 – $223,407 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $223,407 – $524,031 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Madison
In Madison, the local job market encompasses approximately 590 employed financial advisors, underscoring a vibrant community for those pursuing a career in wealth management. Given the cost-of-living index of 97.287, financial advisor pay in Madison WI tends to go further than in many other cities. Compensation varies significantly based on model and client base—top earners often work for prominent wirehouses like Morgan Stanley or independent firms such as LPL and Raymond James. Factors such as AUM book size, client demographics, and specialized credentials like the CFP or CFA can heavily influence salary variances. For those looking to maximize earnings in Madison, focusing on building substantial AUM, transitioning to a fee-only model, and establishing a high-net-worth clientele are recommended strategies. As the industry shifts toward fee-based fiduciaries, opportunities to thrive are on the rise for adept advisors committed to adapting to this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Madison, 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 $126,000 for financial advisorsin the Madison 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