Financial Advisor Pay

Milwaukee vs Whitewater: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Milwaukee, WI and Whitewater, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Milwaukee, WI
$129,962
$62.48/hr
Whitewater, WI
$114,740
$55.16/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIWhitewater, WI
Median Salary$129,962$114,740
Hourly Rate$62.48$55.16
Entry Level (P10)$66,959$66,549
25th Percentile$100,728$82,613
75th Percentile$213,438$146,868
Top Earner (P90)$403,149$177,847
Total Employed2,1504
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($129,962) and Whitewater ($114,740) financial advisor salaries.MilwaukeeWhitewaterMedian Salary$129,962$114,740Entry Level (P10)$66,959$66,549Top Earner (P90)$403,149$177,847US Median $108,537

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Whitewater.

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Whitewater is $15,222 (13.27%). Milwaukee's median is +19.74% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milwaukee spans $336,190,Whitewater spans $111,298. Milwaukee has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$66,959
P25$100,728
Median$129,962
P75$213,438
P90 (Top)$403,149
Whitewater
P10 (Entry)$66,549
P25$82,613
Median$114,740
P75$146,868
P90 (Top)$177,847

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($134,069 effective) pays 9.13% more than Whitewater ($122,848 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $129,962
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $134,069
Whitewater
Nominal: $114,740
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $122,848

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($129,962/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($403,149)
  • Larger job market (2,150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $134,069)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Whitewater if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Milwaukee grew 39.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 31.9% growth in Whitewater over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+39.3%

$90,290 (2019) → $125,810 (2025)

Whitewater, WI

+31.9%

$84,190 (2024) → $111,075 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Milwaukee or Whitewater?

Milwaukee has a higher median financial advisor salary at $129,962/year, compared to Whitewater at $114,740/year — a difference of $15,222 (13.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Whitewater?

Milwaukee financial advisors earn $62.48/hr while Whitewater hygienists earn $55.16/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to Whitewater as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Whitewater. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $134,069, Whitewater = $122,848), job availability (2,150 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Milwaukee vs Whitewater?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $66,959 in Milwaukee and $66,549 in Whitewater. The Milwaukee 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