Financial Advisor Pay

Seattle vs Yakima: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Seattle, WA and Yakima, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Seattle, WA
$118,320
$56.89/hr
Yakima, WA
$82,382
$39.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSeattle, WAYakima, WA
Median Salary$118,320$82,382
Hourly Rate$56.89$39.61
Entry Level (P10)$59,769$63,137
25th Percentile$80,998$69,779
75th Percentile$185,413$153,225
Top Earner (P90)$449,396$173,916
Total Employed3,94060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Seattle ($118,320) and Yakima ($82,382) financial advisor salaries.SeattleYakimaMedian Salary$118,320$82,382Entry Level (P10)$59,769$63,137Top Earner (P90)$449,396$173,916US Median $108,537

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Yakima.

The salary gap between Seattle and Yakima is $35,938 (43.62%). Seattle's median is +9.01% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Seattle spans $389,627,Yakima spans $110,779. Seattle has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Seattle
P10 (Entry)$59,769
P25$80,998
Median$118,320
P75$185,413
P90 (Top)$449,396
Yakima
P10 (Entry)$63,137
P25$69,779
Median$82,382
P75$153,225
P90 (Top)$173,916

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($106,467 effective) pays 23.48% more than Yakima ($86,223 effective).

Seattle
Nominal: $118,320
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $106,467
Yakima
Nominal: $82,382
CoL Index: 95.545
Adjusted: $86,223

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($118,320/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($449,396)
  • Larger job market (3,940 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,467)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Yakima if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Seattle grew 7.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -31.2% growth in Yakima over the same period.

Seattle, WA

+7.1%

$106,950 (2019) → $114,540 (2025)

Yakima, WA

+-31.2%

$115,970 (2020) → $79,750 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Seattle or Yakima?

Seattle has a higher median financial advisor salary at $118,320/year, compared to Yakima at $82,382/year — a difference of $35,938 (43.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Seattle and Yakima?

Seattle financial advisors earn $56.89/hr while Yakima hygienists earn $39.61/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Seattle to Yakima as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Seattle and Yakima. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Seattle = $106,467, Yakima = $86,223), job availability (3,940 vs 60 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Seattle vs Yakima?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $59,769 in Seattle and $63,137 in Yakima. The Yakima 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