Financial Advisor Salary in Waukesha, WI: $131,599 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Waukesha, WI earns a median $131,599/year (≈ $63.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Waukesha's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $140,898 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.8% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waukesha, Wisconsin, the financial advisor salary is projected to reach a median annual figure of $131,599 in 2026, surpassing the national average by 21.25%. The salary range here spans from $76,327 for the lower ten percentile to as high as $203,978 for those in the top ten percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for regional cost differences, reflect the unique structural divide in the financial advisory sector. Advisors affiliated with wirehouses may find themselves earning different pay based on commission models, while those operating as Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) often see compensation aligned with assets under management (AUM). This bifurcation in compensation models significantly shapes Waukesha's financial advisory landscape.
About the Waukesha Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,327 | $36.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,751 | $45.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,599 | $63.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,447 | $80.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $203,978 | $98.06 |
Median Salary Position
21.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukesha
In Waukesha, WI, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $127,651 (2026 est.). At $131,599, the local median is 21.25% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukesha: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waukesha Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Waukesha median: $131,599/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukesha Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $120,955 | +8.80% more |
| National Average | $108,537 | +21.25% more |
Financial Advisors in Waukesha, WI earn a median of $131,599 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.25% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 8.80% above the Wisconsin state average of $120,955.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukesha 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.
Waukesha, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $131,599 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,898 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,516
2025 BLS Actual
$127,395
2026 Current Est.
$131,599
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Waukesha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,516 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,311 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,179 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,658 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,738 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,395 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,599 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,942 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukesha metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $106,516 (2019) to $127,395 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,942 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,426 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukesha 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) | $76,327 – $94,751 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,751 – $131,599 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,599 – $168,447 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,447 – $203,978 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Waukesha
The job market in Waukesha accounts for 14 financial advisors, contributing to a focused yet competitive environment for aspiring professionals. With a cost of living index at 93.4, financial advisors enjoy a relative advantage in purchasing power compared to peers in higher-cost areas. Among significant employers in the region, wirehouses like Merrill Lynch and UBS offer attractive compensation packages, while independent broker-dealers such as LPL and Raymond James may provide varied incentives based on performance and AUM metrics. The differences in earnings arise from factors such as client concentration, fee structures, and the value of credentials like CFP and CFA. Advisors looking to maximize their financial advisor pay in Waukesha, WI, should consider enhancing their AUM through strategic client acquisition and focusing on fee-only models that can yield higher long-term returns.
More salary data for Waukesha, 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 $127,395 for financial advisorsin the Waukesha 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 Waukesha 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