Financial Advisor Pay

Los Angeles vs Whittier: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Whittier, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Los Angeles, CA
$128,598
$61.83/hr
Whittier, CA
$116,953
$56.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAWhittier, CA
Median Salary$128,598$116,953
Hourly Rate$61.83$56.23
Entry Level (P10)$69,924$67,833
25th Percentile$80,429$84,206
75th Percentile$184,907$149,700
Top Earner (P90)$294,498$181,277
Total Employed13,98022
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($128,598) and Whittier ($116,953) financial advisor salaries.Los AngelesWhittierMedian Salary$128,598$116,953Entry Level (P10)$69,924$67,833Top Earner (P90)$294,498$181,277US Median $108,537

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Whittier.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Whittier is $11,645 (9.96%). Los Angeles's median is +18.48% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $224,574,Whittier spans $113,444. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$69,924
P25$80,429
Median$128,598
P75$184,907
P90 (Top)$294,498
Whittier
P10 (Entry)$67,833
P25$84,206
Median$116,953
P75$149,700
P90 (Top)$181,277

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($113,236 effective) pays 9.51% more than Whittier ($103,407 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $128,598
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $113,236
Whittier
Nominal: $116,953
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $103,407

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($128,598/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($294,498)
  • Larger job market (13,980 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $113,236)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Whittier if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Los Angeles grew 70.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -29.5% growth in Whittier over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+70.9%

$72,840 (2019) → $124,490 (2025)

Whittier, CA

+-29.5%

$160,663 (2024) → $113,217 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Los Angeles or Whittier?

Los Angeles has a higher median financial advisor salary at $128,598/year, compared to Whittier at $116,953/year — a difference of $11,645 (9.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Whittier?

Los Angeles financial advisors earn $61.83/hr while Whittier hygienists earn $56.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Whittier as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Whittier. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $113,236, Whittier = $103,407), job availability (13,980 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Los Angeles vs Whittier?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $69,924 in Los Angeles and $67,833 in Whittier. The Los Angeles 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