Financial Advisor Salary in Wauwatosa, WI: $114,640 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Wauwatosa, WI earns a median $114,640/year (≈ $55.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Wauwatosa's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $122,741 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, financial advisors can expect a median annual salary of $114,640 in 2026, reflecting a competitive edge of 5.62% above the national median of $108,537. The salary spectrum ranges notably from $66,491 at the lowest end (P10) to $177,693 for those at the top (P90), indicating substantial potential for earnings growth in this profession. These figures represent local estimates derived from BLS state-level data, which account for regional cost adjustments. Wauwatosa's job market for financial advisors, while relatively small with only 10 individuals employed in this capacity, showcases the increasing trend for fee-only firms and the value placed on CFP credentials, emphasizing the need for fiduciary practices in wealth management.
About the Wauwatosa Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,491 | $31.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,541 | $39.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $114,640 | $55.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,740 | $70.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $177,693 | $85.43 |
Median Salary Position
5.62% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wauwatosa
In Wauwatosa, WI, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $111,202 (2026 est.). At $114,640, the local median is 5.62% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wauwatosa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wauwatosa Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Wauwatosa median: $114,640/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wauwatosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $120,929 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | +5.62% more |
Financial Advisors in Wauwatosa, WI earn a median of $114,640 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.62% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 5.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $120,929.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wauwatosa 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.
Wauwatosa, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $114,640 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $122,741 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,790
2025 BLS Actual
$110,978
2026 Current Est.
$114,640
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Wauwatosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,353 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,465 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,754 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,179 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,116 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,978 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,640 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,423 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wauwatosa metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $92,790 (2019) to $110,978 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,423 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,633 (27.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wauwatosa 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) | $66,491 – $82,541 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,541 – $114,640 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $114,640 – $146,740 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,740 – $177,693 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Wauwatosa
The financial advisor pay in Wauwatosa WI is influenced by various dynamic factors in the local employment market. The cost of living index is at 93.4, which offers an advantageous backdrop for take-home purchasing power amid the salaries being offered. Employers such as Morgan Stanley and Northwestern Mutual may provide the strongest compensation packages, particularly for advisors handling high net worth (HNW) clients and those who leverage their assets under management (AUM) effectively. The disparity between lower and higher salaries can often be attributed to client concentration and business models; for instance, RIAs typically earn through AUM fees, while wirehouses may operate on a commission basis. To maximize earnings in Wauwatosa, financial advisors should focus on expanding their client networks, enhancing professional certifications like the CFP, and positioning themselves within the growing fee-only advisory trend, which continues to appeal to a clientele seeking honest fiduciary guidance.
More salary data for Wauwatosa, 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 $110,978 for financial advisorsin the Wauwatosa 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 Wauwatosa 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