Financial Advisor Pay

Cookeville vs Nashville: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Cookeville, TN and Nashville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cookeville, TN
$75,431
$36.27/hr
Nashville, TN
$94,044
$45.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCookeville, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$75,431$94,044
Hourly Rate$36.27$45.21
Entry Level (P10)$43,750$49,078
25th Percentile$54,310$67,135
75th Percentile$96,551$177,552
Top Earner (P90)$116,918$422,848
Total Employed71,710
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cookeville ($75,431) and Nashville ($94,044) financial advisor salaries.CookevilleNashvilleMedian Salary$75,431$94,044Entry Level (P10)$43,750$49,078Top Earner (P90)$116,918$422,848US Median $108,537

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Cookeville.

The salary gap between Cookeville and Nashville is $18,613 (24.68%). Nashville's median is -13.35% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cookeville spans $73,168,Nashville spans $373,770. Nashville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced financial advisors.

Cookeville
P10 (Entry)$43,750
P25$54,310
Median$75,431
P75$96,551
P90 (Top)$116,918
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$49,078
P25$67,135
Median$94,044
P75$177,552
P90 (Top)$422,848

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($97,619 effective) pays 18.80% more than Cookeville ($82,169 effective).

Cookeville
Nominal: $75,431
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $82,169
Nashville
Nominal: $94,044
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $97,619

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cookeville if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($94,044/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($422,848)
  • Larger job market (1,710 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $97,619)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Cookeville grew -9.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 41.4% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Cookeville, TN

+-9.0%

$80,248 (2024) → $73,021 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+41.4%

$64,380 (2019) → $91,040 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Cookeville or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median financial advisor salary at $94,044/year, compared to Cookeville at $75,431/year — a difference of $18,613 (24.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cookeville and Nashville?

Cookeville financial advisors earn $36.27/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $45.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cookeville to Nashville as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cookeville and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cookeville = $82,169, Nashville = $97,619), job availability (7 vs 1,710 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Cookeville vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $43,750 in Cookeville and $49,078 in Nashville. The Nashville area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Sophia Martinez, CFAData verified by Ethan Wang, ChFC

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