Financial Advisor Salary in Riverside, CA: $99,271 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Riverside, CA earns a median $99,271/year (≈ $47.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Riverside's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.4), that paycheck buys what $93,263 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.9% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Projected median annual compensation for financial advisors in Riverside, California, is estimated at $99,271 for 2026. This reflects a significant range in earnings, with the lowest 10 percent earning around $67,651 and the highest 90 percent potentially making up to $306,181. The data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage estimates based on 2025 data, showcases the growing trend toward fee-only advisory services, particularly among CFP credential holders. As this fiduciary model gains traction, the competition for top talent in Riverside is likely to intensify, making it a dynamic market for financial advisors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,651 | $32.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,431 | $39.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,271 | $47.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,749 | $80.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $306,181 | $147.20 |
Median Salary Position
8.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Riverside
In Riverside, CA, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $238,530 (2026 est.). At $99,271, the local median is 8.54% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Riverside: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Riverside Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Riverside median: $99,271/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Riverside Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $115,298 | -13.90% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -8.54% less |
Financial Advisors in Riverside, CA earn a median of $99,271 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.54% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 13.90% below the California state average of $115,298.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Riverside has a cost of living 6.44% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Riverside, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.442 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $99,271 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $93,263 — a 6.05% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,390
2025 BLS Actual
$96,100
2026 Current Est.
$99,271
2019–2027 Growth
+59.3%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Riverside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,271 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,547 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Riverside metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 49.2% from $64,390 (2019) to $96,100 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,547 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,157 (59.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Riverside 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) | $67,651 – $81,431 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,431 – $99,271 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,271 – $167,749 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,749 – $306,181 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Riverside
In Riverside, where approximately 830 financial advisors are employed, the local job market continues to benefit from a strong demand for expertise in wealth management. The cost of living index stands at 106.442, slightly above the national average, affecting the real earnings potential for advisors in the area. Major employers, including wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and independent broker-dealers such as LPL Financial, contribute to compensation variance. The substantial disparity between salaries in Riverside can often be attributed to the fee structures adopted by firms—fee-only RIAs typically operating with an AUM model generate higher revenue than commission-based firms. To maximize financial advisor pay in Riverside CA, professionals should focus on building a robust client base, obtaining the CFP credential, and exploring partnerships within fee-only firms that prioritize fiduciary responsibilities, positioning themselves favorably in an evolving industry.
More salary data for Riverside, 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 $96,100 for financial advisorsin the Riverside 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