Financial Advisor Pay

Houston vs Mesquite: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Houston, TX and Mesquite, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$102,195
$49.13/hr
Mesquite, TX
$86,160
$41.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXMesquite, TX
Median Salary$102,195$86,160
Hourly Rate$49.13$41.42
Entry Level (P10)$50,741$49,973
25th Percentile$74,655$62,036
75th Percentile$167,646$110,285
Top Earner (P90)$334,682$133,548
Total Employed4,13021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($102,195) and Mesquite ($86,160) financial advisor salaries.HoustonMesquiteMedian Salary$102,195$86,160Entry Level (P10)$50,741$49,973Top Earner (P90)$334,682$133,548US Median $108,537

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Mesquite.

The salary gap between Houston and Mesquite is $16,035 (18.61%). Houston's median is -5.84% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $283,941,Mesquite spans $83,575. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$50,741
P25$74,655
Median$102,195
P75$167,646
P90 (Top)$334,682
Mesquite
P10 (Entry)$49,973
P25$62,036
Median$86,160
P75$110,285
P90 (Top)$133,548

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($103,616 effective) pays 15.45% more than Mesquite ($89,750 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $102,195
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $103,616
Mesquite
Nominal: $86,160
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $89,750

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,195/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($334,682)
  • Larger job market (4,130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,616)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Mesquite if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Houston grew 25.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -22.0% growth in Mesquite over the same period.

Houston, TX

+25.3%

$78,960 (2019) → $98,930 (2025)

Mesquite, TX

+-22.0%

$106,871 (2024) → $83,408 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Houston or Mesquite?

Houston has a higher median financial advisor salary at $102,195/year, compared to Mesquite at $86,160/year — a difference of $16,035 (18.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Mesquite?

Houston financial advisors earn $49.13/hr while Mesquite hygienists earn $41.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Mesquite as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Mesquite. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $103,616, Mesquite = $89,750), job availability (4,130 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Houston vs Mesquite?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $50,741 in Houston and $49,973 in Mesquite. The Houston 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