Financial Advisor Salary in San Clemente, CA: $114,625 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in San Clemente, CA earns a median $114,625/year (≈ $55.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in San Clemente's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $101,348 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, financial advisors in San Clemente, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $114,625, slightly above the national median of $108,537. The salary range for professionals in this field varies significantly, with the lowest earners making around $66,483, while those at the top echelon can command salaries as high as $177,669. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, reflect the distinctive employment dynamics shaped by the wirehouse versus RIA fiduciary divide. In San Clemente, the growing preference for fee-only advisory models allows certain advisors to capitalize on asset under management (AUM) fees, profoundly influencing compensation structures. This trend highlights the necessity for financial professionals to align their business practices with the evolving market demand.
About the San Clemente Market
Salary estimated from California average ($140,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,483 | $31.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,529 | $39.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $114,625 | $55.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,720 | $70.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $177,669 | $85.42 |
Median Salary Position
5.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Clemente
In San Clemente, CA, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $111,186 (2026 est.). At $114,625, the local median is 5.61% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Clemente: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Clemente Financial Advisor Pay Compares
San Clemente median: $114,625/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Clemente Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $115,317 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | +5.61% more |
Financial Advisors in San Clemente, CA earn a median of $114,625 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.61% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 0.60% below the California state average of $115,317.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Clemente has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Clemente, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $114,625 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,348 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,777
2025 BLS Actual
$110,963
2026 Current Est.
$114,625
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in San Clemente (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,777 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,452 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,165 | Actual |
| 2024 | $157,465 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,963 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,625 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,407 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Clemente metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $92,777 (2019) to $110,963 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,407 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,630 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Clemente 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) | $66,483 – $82,529 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,529 – $114,625 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $114,625 – $146,720 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,720 – $177,669 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in San Clemente
Examining the local job market, there are currently 10 financial advisors employed in San Clemente, CA, indicating a niche but specialized demand for services. Given the local cost of living index of 113.1, advisors must factor in higher living expenses when evaluating their take-home pay. Major employers in the area include established wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and UBS, as well as independent broker-dealers such as LPL and insurance-affiliated firms like Northwestern Mutual. The disparity in compensation can often be traced back to factors like client concentration, AUM book size, and fee structures. For example, those who build a robust client base of high-net-worth individuals may command higher fees, making credentialing, such as obtaining a CFP designation, a significant asset. In this market, advisors keen on maximizing their financial advisor pay in San Clemente should focus on establishing a solid client portfolio while considering affiliations that align with fiduciary principles.
More salary data for San Clemente, 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 $110,963 for financial advisorsin the San Clemente 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 San Clemente 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