Financial Advisor Salary in Daly City, CA: $118,300 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Daly City, CA earns a median $118,300/year (≈ $56.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Daly City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $104,598 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Daly City, California, the financial advisory landscape is shaped by a distinct divide between wirehouse firms and independent Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs), significantly influencing the compensation landscape. The projected median annual salary for financial advisors in 2026 stands at $118,300, reflecting a strong 9.00% premium over the national median of $108,537. Salaries here range considerably, with entry-level positions earning around $68,614, while seasoned advisors can command upwards of $183,366. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, taking into account regional price adjustments which highlight how the area’s cost of living affects earning potential. Given the prevalent AUM (assets under management) model at RIAs, advisors in Daly City are incentivized to grow client portfolios, often resulting in more robust earning opportunities compared to those in commission-based wirehouse roles.
About the Daly City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,614 | $32.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,176 | $40.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,300 | $56.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,424 | $72.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,366 | $88.16 |
Median Salary Position
9.00% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daly City
In Daly City, CA, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,752 (2026 est.). At $118,300, the local median is 9% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Daly City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Daly City Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Daly City median: $118,300/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Daly City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $115,302 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $108,537 | +9.00% more |
Financial Advisors in Daly City, CA earn a median of $118,300 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.00% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 2.60% above the California state average of $115,302.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Daly City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Daly City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $118,300 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,598 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$95,752
2025 BLS Actual
$114,521
2026 Current Est.
$118,300
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Daly City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,752 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,365 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,641 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,537 | Actual |
| 2024 | $162,514 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,521 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,300 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,204 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Daly City metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $95,752 (2019) to $114,521 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,204 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,452 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daly City 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) | $68,614 – $85,176 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,176 – $118,300 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,300 – $151,424 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,424 – $183,366 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Daly City
The local job market for financial advisors in Daly City employs approximately 20 professionals, indicating a competitive yet stable environment. With a cost-of-living index sitting at 113.1, advisors must consider how this index impacts their take-home purchasing power. Major employers like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, and independent broker-dealers such as LPL and Raymond James are key players in the local market, often providing the best compensation packages. However, as the industry shifts, RIAs are increasingly attractive due to their AUM-based fee structures, allowing advisors to earn commissions based on the growth of client assets, unlike the commission models of traditional wirehouses. Financial advisors looking to maximize their earning potential should focus on acquiring high-net-worth clients and obtaining advanced credentials like the CFP or CFA designations, as these factors can significantly influence income disparities in this evolving market.
More salary data for Daly City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do financial advisors make in Daly City, CA in 2026?
Is Daly City, CA a good place to work as a financial advisor?
Can financial advisors make $100K in Daly City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted financial advisor salary in Daly City?
How much does a financial advisor make per hour in Daly City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $114,521 for financial advisorsin the Daly City 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
Salary data for Daly City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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