Financial Advisor Pay

Plainfield vs Rockford: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Plainfield, IL and Rockford, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Plainfield, IL
$112,245
$53.96/hr
Rockford, IL
$114,508
$55.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPlainfield, ILRockford, IL
Median Salary$112,245$114,508
Hourly Rate$53.96$55.06
Entry Level (P10)$65,102$54,852
25th Percentile$81,019$77,237
75th Percentile$143,674$211,114
Top Earner (P90)$173,979$351,179
Total Employed1190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Plainfield ($112,245) and Rockford ($114,508) financial advisor salaries.PlainfieldRockfordMedian Salary$112,245$114,508Entry Level (P10)$65,102$54,852Top Earner (P90)$173,979$351,179US Median $108,537

Verdict

Rockford, IL offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Plainfield.

The salary gap between Plainfield and Rockford is $2,263 (2.02%). Rockford's median is +5.50% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Plainfield spans $108,877,Rockford spans $296,327. Rockford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced financial advisors.

Plainfield
P10 (Entry)$65,102
P25$81,019
Median$112,245
P75$143,674
P90 (Top)$173,979
Rockford
P10 (Entry)$54,852
P25$77,237
Median$114,508
P75$211,114
P90 (Top)$351,179

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rockford ($124,257 effective) pays 7.49% more than Plainfield ($115,597 effective).

Plainfield
Nominal: $112,245
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $115,597
Rockford
Nominal: $114,508
CoL Index: 92.154
Adjusted: $124,257

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Plainfield if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Rockford if…

  • Higher median salary ($114,508/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($351,179)
  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $124,257)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Plainfield grew 0.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 47.7% growth in Rockford over the same period.

Plainfield, IL

+0.6%

$107,973 (2024) → $108,659 (2025)

Rockford, IL

+47.7%

$75,040 (2019) → $110,850 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Plainfield or Rockford?

Rockford has a higher median financial advisor salary at $114,508/year, compared to Plainfield at $112,245/year — a difference of $2,263 (2.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Plainfield and Rockford?

Plainfield financial advisors earn $53.96/hr while Rockford hygienists earn $55.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Plainfield to Rockford as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Plainfield and Rockford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Plainfield = $115,597, Rockford = $124,257), job availability (11 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Plainfield vs Rockford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $65,102 in Plainfield and $54,852 in Rockford. The Plainfield 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