Financial Advisor Pay

Franklin vs Knoxville: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

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

Franklin, TN
$92,912
$44.67/hr
Knoxville, TN
$83,022
$39.92/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFranklin, TNKnoxville, TN
Median Salary$92,912$83,022
Hourly Rate$44.67$39.92
Entry Level (P10)$53,890$45,328
25th Percentile$66,897$55,100
75th Percentile$118,927$169,959
Top Earner (P90)$144,014$450,398
Total Employed18420
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Franklin ($92,912) and Knoxville ($83,022) financial advisor salaries.FranklinKnoxvilleMedian Salary$92,912$83,022Entry Level (P10)$53,890$45,328Top Earner (P90)$144,014$450,398US Median $108,537

Verdict

Franklin and Knoxville are closely matched on overall financial advisor compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Franklin and Knoxville is $9,890 (11.91%). Franklin's median is -14.40% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Franklin spans $90,124,Knoxville spans $405,070. Knoxville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced financial advisors.

Franklin
P10 (Entry)$53,890
P25$66,897
Median$92,912
P75$118,927
P90 (Top)$144,014
Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$45,328
P25$55,100
Median$83,022
P75$169,959
P90 (Top)$450,398

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Franklin ($101,211 effective) pays 12.85% more than Knoxville ($89,687 effective).

Franklin
Nominal: $92,912
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $101,211
Knoxville
Nominal: $83,022
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $89,687

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Franklin if…

  • Higher median salary ($92,912/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,211)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($450,398)
  • Larger job market (420 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Franklin grew 8.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 54.8% growth in Knoxville over the same period.

Franklin, TN

+8.9%

$82,605 (2024) → $89,944 (2025)

Knoxville, TN

+54.8%

$51,910 (2019) → $80,370 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Franklin or Knoxville?

Franklin has a higher median financial advisor salary at $92,912/year, compared to Knoxville at $83,022/year — a difference of $9,890 (11.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Franklin and Knoxville?

Franklin financial advisors earn $44.67/hr while Knoxville hygienists earn $39.92/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Franklin to Knoxville as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Franklin and Knoxville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Franklin = $101,211, Knoxville = $89,687), job availability (18 vs 420 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Franklin vs Knoxville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $53,890 in Franklin and $45,328 in Knoxville. The Franklin 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