Financial Advisor Pay

Denver vs Durango: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Denver, CO and Durango, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Denver, CO
$101,998
$49.04/hr
Durango, CO
$87,992
$42.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenver, CODurango, CO
Median Salary$101,998$87,992
Hourly Rate$49.04$42.30
Entry Level (P10)$59,800$51,035
25th Percentile$67,496$64,519
75th Percentile$156,004$112,630
Top Earner (P90)$304,497$136,388
Total Employed4,7005
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denver ($101,998) and Durango ($87,992) financial advisor salaries.DenverDurangoMedian Salary$101,998$87,992Entry Level (P10)$59,800$51,035Top Earner (P90)$304,497$136,388US Median $108,537

Verdict

Denver, CO offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Durango.

The salary gap between Denver and Durango is $14,006 (15.92%). Denver's median is -6.02% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Denver spans $244,697,Durango spans $85,353. Denver has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Denver
P10 (Entry)$59,800
P25$67,496
Median$101,998
P75$156,004
P90 (Top)$304,497
Durango
P10 (Entry)$51,035
P25$64,519
Median$87,992
P75$112,630
P90 (Top)$136,388

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($96,423 effective) pays 15.06% more than Durango ($83,802 effective).

Denver
Nominal: $101,998
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $96,423
Durango
Nominal: $87,992
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $83,802

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Denver if…

  • Higher median salary ($101,998/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($304,497)
  • Larger job market (4,700 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $96,423)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Durango if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Denver grew 7.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -19.8% growth in Durango over the same period.

Denver, CO

+7.8%

$91,560 (2019) → $98,740 (2025)

Durango, CO

+-19.8%

$106,259 (2024) → $85,181 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Denver or Durango?

Denver has a higher median financial advisor salary at $101,998/year, compared to Durango at $87,992/year — a difference of $14,006 (15.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denver and Durango?

Denver financial advisors earn $49.04/hr while Durango hygienists earn $42.30/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Denver to Durango as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denver and Durango. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denver = $96,423, Durango = $83,802), job availability (4,700 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Denver vs Durango?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $59,800 in Denver and $51,035 in Durango. The Denver area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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