Financial Advisor Hourly Pay in Bellingham, WA: $51.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a financial advisor working in Bellingham, WA runs $51.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $106,823 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Weighted against Bellingham's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.3, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,098 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Bellingham, Washington, the financial advisor hourly pay stands at a median of $51.36, slightly below the national hourly median of $52.18. This pay scale reflects the dynamics within typically employed settings such as wirehouse branch offices, Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) conference rooms, and remote planning meetings. For part-time professionals working a three-day week, the potential earnings translate to approximately $39,000 annually, highlighting a balanced work-life approach while still capitalizing on the city’s growing financial services sector. The hourly range for financial advisors in the area can vary significantly, from the lower end of $29.82 for entry-level roles, to as much as $136.85 for top earners, making the profession accessible to a range of candidates entering the field while offering lucrative opportunities for seasoned practitioners.
Financial Advisor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.82 | $238.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.94 | $287.50 |
| Median (P50) | $51.36 | $410.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.77 | $662.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136.85 | $1094.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellingham
Based on $51.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.36/hr, a financial advisor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellingham, WA can expect to earn approximately $106,830 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,633. With a cost-of-living index of 103.33 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bellingham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellingham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,054.43 | $8,903 | $106,830 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,232.66 | $5,342 | $64,098 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $821.77 | $3,561 | $42,732 |
Compare CFP, FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Financial Advisor (Bellingham) | $51.36 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Accountant / Auditor (National Avg) | $39.88 |
| Insurance Sales Agent (National Avg) | $29.02 |
| Securities / Commodities Sales Agent (National Avg) | $35.30 |
Financial Advisors in Bellingham, WA earn a median of $106,823 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.58% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 2.80% above the Washington state average of $103,913.
Financial Advisor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.36/hr = $64,098/year (purchasing power: $62,030).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $106,830/year (purchasing power: $103,384).
CoL index: 103.334 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$39.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for financial advisors in Bellingham grew 24.9% from $39.82/hr (2019) to $49.72/hr (2025). At a 3.30% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.06/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem financial advisors can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellingham metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.30% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Financial Advisor in Bellingham
Examining the earning potential further, a part-time financial advisor working 24 hours weekly in Bellingham could take home around $39,000 yearly, starkly contrasting the income of full-time advisors who are likely to exceed $106,823 annually. While per diem financial advisor pay in Bellingham is less common among junior professionals, more experienced advisors often command hourly rates by providing project-based services, with fees ranging from $3,000 to $15,000 for comprehensive plans or $5,000 to $25,000 in retainer fees for consulting small businesses on retirement plans. Pay variations are common across employer types, with wirehouses typically offering lower hourly rates compared to independent broker-dealers or RIAs. Given the local market's bifurcation between commission-based models and fee-only fiduciary structures, negotiations are crucial, particularly for advisors weighing health benefits against higher hourly rates in positions without benefits. For those seeking to maximize their value, developing a clear understanding of the market position and leveraging expertise effectively remains key in the evolving landscape of finance in Bellingham.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.30% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for financial advisors in Bellingham. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.30%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for financial advisors (SOC 13-2052).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CFP, a licensed financial advisor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov