Financial Advisor Salary in Chico, CA: $91,524 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Chico, CA earns a median $91,524/year (≈ $44.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Chico's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.2), that paycheck buys what $90,441 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 20.6% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, financial advisors in Chico, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $91,524, significantly lower than the national average of $108,537. This local figure reflects a salary range from $62,961 at the 10th percentile to a robust $207,024 at the 90th percentile. These insights derive from official BLS OEWS surveys and indicate that while the pay landscape in Chico may lag behind national averages, there is considerable earning potential for skilled advisors, particularly those who can attract high-net-worth clients or manage substantial assets. Understanding the dynamics of going independent versus working within traditional wirehouse structures can play a pivotal role in achieving long-term financial success in this local market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,961 | $30.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,961 | $30.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,524 | $44.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143,887 | $69.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $207,024 | $99.53 |
Median Salary Position
15.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chico
In Chico, CA, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $144,063 (2026 est.). At $91,524, the local median is 15.67% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chico: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Chico Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Chico median: $91,524/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chico Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $115,269 | -20.60% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -15.67% less |
Financial Advisors in Chico, CA earn a median of $91,524 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.67% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 20.60% below the California state average of $115,269.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chico has a cost of living 1.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chico, CA has a cost-of-living index of 101.197 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $91,524 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $90,441 — a 1.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,079
2025 BLS Actual
$88,600
2026 Current Est.
$91,524
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Chico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,079 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,327 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,524 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,544 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chico metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $74,079 (2019) to $88,600 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,544 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,465 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chico 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) | $62,961 – $62,961 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,961 – $91,524 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,524 – $143,887 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $143,887 – $207,024 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Chico
Analyzing the job market, there are currently 60 financial advisors employed in Chico, which points to a modest yet stable demand for these professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 101.197, the economic reality means that take-home pay may not stretch as far as it would in areas with lower living expenses, impacting overall purchasing power. Leading employers such as Wells Fargo Advisors and Merrill Lynch may offer more competitive compensation compared to independent broker-dealers and small Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) in the region. Variations in pay can be attributed to factors like assets under management (AUM), which directly influences earnings based on the fee model adopted—be it commission or fee-only structures. For financial advisors in Chico looking to optimize their pay, focusing on certifications like CFP or CFA can enhance credibility and earning potential, particularly within loyal high-net-worth client relationships or through partnership equity arrangements in small RIA practices.
More salary data for Chico, 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 $88,600 for financial advisorsin the Chico 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, 5-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