Financial Advisor Salary in Athens, GA: $101,306 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Athens, GA earns a median $101,306/year (≈ $48.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Athens's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $108,531 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, financial advisors in Athens, Georgia, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $101,306, reflecting the evolving income landscape within the profession. Compensation ranges widely in this market, spanning from $47,735 at the 10th percentile to a remarkable $469,168 at the 90th percentile. This broad salary range illustrates the fundamental divide in financial advisory services between wirehouse firms and Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs). The prevalent Assets Under Management (AUM) model influences advisor pay structures significantly, leading to variances in compensation based on the business model employed. As the advisory market increasingly shifts toward RIAs, the competitive salary landscape in Athens suggests a challenging yet rewarding environment for those well-versed in fiduciary practices.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,735 | $22.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,300 | $34.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,306 | $48.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $217,736 | $104.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $469,168 | $225.57 |
Median Salary Position
6.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Athens
In Athens, GA, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $421,433 (2026 est.). At $101,306, the local median is 6.66% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Athens: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Athens Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Athens median: $101,306/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Athens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $108,537 | -6.66% less |
Financial Advisors in Athens, GA earn a median of $101,306 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.66% lower than the national median of $108,537.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Athens has a cost of living 6.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Athens, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.343 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $101,306 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,531 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.13% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,960
2025 BLS Actual
$98,070
2026 Current Est.
$101,306
2019–2027 Growth
+63.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,960 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,306 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,649 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Athens metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 53.3% from $63,960 (2019) to $98,070 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,649 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,689 (63.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Athens 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) | $47,735 – $72,300 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,300 – $101,306 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,306 – $217,736 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $217,736 – $469,168 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Athens
Analyzing the financial advisor pay in Athens GA reveals a local job market with approximately 130 advisors currently employed, fostering a community rich in expertise. The city's cost of living, indexed at 93.343, indicates that advisors enjoy a more favorable purchasing power compared to many other regions, enhancing their overall income experience. Among the highest-paying employers are wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch, while independent broker-dealers and RIAs also provide attractive compensation, often shaped by the fee structures they utilize. Factors contributing to disparities in pay include the advisor's book size, credentialing such as CFP or CFA, client demographics, and employment models. To maximize earnings, advisors should seek to build a robust client base, embrace AUM-based compensation strategies, and continuously pursue professional education, allowing them to leverage their skills in a competitive market like Athens.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
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 $98,070 for financial advisorsin the Athens 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