Burlington vs Raleigh: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)
Compare financial advisor salaries between Burlington, NC and Raleigh, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Burlington, NC | Raleigh, NC |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $81,979 | $108,238▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $39.41 | $52.03▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,640▲ | $51,402 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,640 | $76,928▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $126,253 | $229,026▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $190,867 | $576,672▲ |
| Total Employed | 40 | 2,340▲ |
Verdict
Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Burlington.
The salary gap between Burlington and Raleigh is $26,259 (32.03%). Raleigh's median is -0.28% compared to the US national median of $108,537.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burlington spans $139,227,Raleigh spans $525,270. Raleigh has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced financial advisors.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Raleigh ($110,270 effective) pays 25.36% more than Burlington ($87,964 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Burlington if…
- ✓You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle
Choose Raleigh if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($108,238/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($576,672)
- ✓Larger job market (2,340 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $110,270)
- ✓You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Burlington grew 6.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.8% growth in Raleigh over the same period.
Burlington, NC
$74,410 (2019) → $79,360 (2025)
Raleigh, NC
$87,490 (2019) → $104,780 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Burlington, NC
Raleigh, NC
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays financial advisors more: Burlington or Raleigh?
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Should I relocate from Burlington to Raleigh as a financial advisor?
What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Burlington vs Raleigh?
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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
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.30% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CFP, a licensed financial advisor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov