Financial Advisor Salary in Bakersfield, CA: $115,262 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Bakersfield, CA earns a median $115,262/year (≈ $55.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Bakersfield's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $114,250 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, financial advisors in Bakersfield, California, can expect a median annual salary of $115,262. This figure exceeds the national median of $108,537, reflecting a 6.20% premium for local professionals. With salaries ranging broadly from $60,369 at the 10th percentile to as high as $277,732 at the 90th percentile, it's clear that Bakersfield's financial advisor pay structure offers significant variability. This disparity can be largely attributed to the structural divide between wirehouses and Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs), with the assets under management (AUM) model commonly used by RIAs influencing income potential. Given the projected growth rate of 3.30% in this sector, professionals entering Bakersfield's financial market will find opportunities as the demand for comprehensive financial guidance continues to rise.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,369 | $29.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,225 | $36.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $115,262 | $55.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,375 | $77.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $277,732 | $133.53 |
Median Salary Position
6.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bakersfield
In Bakersfield, CA, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $217,363 (2026 est.). At $115,262, the local median is 6.2% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bakersfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bakersfield Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Bakersfield median: $115,262/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bakersfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $108,537 | +6.20% more |
Financial Advisors in Bakersfield, CA earn a median of $115,262 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.20% higher than the national median of $108,537.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bakersfield has a cost of living 0.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bakersfield, CA has a cost-of-living index of 100.886 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $115,262 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $114,250 — a 0.88% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,030
2025 BLS Actual
$111,580
2026 Current Est.
$115,262
2019–2027 Growth
+65.3%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Bakersfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $115,262 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,066 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bakersfield metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 54.9% from $72,030 (2019) to $111,580 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,066 by 2027 — a total increase of $47,036 (65.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bakersfield 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $60,369 – $76,225 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,225 – $115,262 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $115,262 – $161,375 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,375 – $277,732 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Bakersfield
In Bakersfield, the current employment of around 80 financial advisors presents a stable job market driven by the increasing need for financial planning services. The local cost of living index at 100.886 implies that advisors may experience a slightly higher cost of living compared to the national average. As a result, professionals aiming for high compensation should consider employer types closely; wirehouses like Morgan Stanley or Merrill Lynch typically offer lucrative packages but may rely on commission-driven models, whereas RIAs, which emphasize a fiduciary approach, provide fee structures often based on AUM, allowing for potentially higher year-end earnings. A strategic pathway to maximizing pay in Bakersfield involves pursuing CFP or CFA credentials to stand out in this competitive landscape, alongside building a sustainable client base that attracts high-net-worth individuals. Understanding these dynamics will be essential for advisors looking to thrive in Bakersfield's evolving financial landscape.
More salary data for Bakersfield, CA:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $111,580 for financial advisorsin the Bakersfield metropolitan area. A 3.30% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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