Financial Advisor Salary in Decatur, IL: $117,704 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Decatur, IL earns a median $117,704/year (≈ $56.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $121,219 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Decatur, Illinois, financial advisors can expect a median salary of $117,704 in 2026, reflecting a growth trend in this profession. The salary range varies significantly, with the lower end starting at $68,269 and the top earners making as much as $182,441. These figures are based on state-level data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and regional price parity adjustments, indicating a promising regional employment landscape for financial advisors. It's essential to recognize how the structural divide between wirehouses and Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) affects compensation in Decatur. Advisors operating under the AUM (assets under management) model, particularly at RIAs, may see different compensation dynamics compared to their commission-based counterparts at wirehouses, influencing overall pay structures in this local job market.
About the Decatur Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,269 | $32.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,747 | $40.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,704 | $56.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $150,661 | $72.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,441 | $87.71 |
Median Salary Position
8.45% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, IL, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,172 (2026 est.). At $117,704, the local median is 8.45% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Decatur Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Decatur median: $117,704/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $116,079 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $108,537 | +8.45% more |
Financial Advisors in Decatur, IL earn a median of $117,704 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.45% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 1.40% above the Illinois state average of $116,079.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $117,704 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $121,219 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,270
2025 BLS Actual
$113,944
2026 Current Est.
$117,704
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,875 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,224 | Actual |
| 2025 | $113,944 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,704 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,588 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $95,270 (2019) to $113,944 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,588 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,318 (27.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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) | $68,269 – $84,747 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,747 – $117,704 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,704 – $150,661 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $150,661 – $182,441 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Decatur
In terms of job market dynamics in Decatur, there are currently 13 financial advisors employed in the area, which highlights a concentrated but potentially competitive environment. The cost of living index stands at 97.1, which is slightly below the national average, meaning that take-home pay can stretch a little further in this community. Among the financial institutions, wirehouses such as Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch tend to pay higher salaries, but the rapid growth of independent RIAs and fee-only fiduciaries is reshaping the compensation landscape. The disparity in earnings often stems from various factors including book size, client concentration, and the fee structures employed, with higher credentials like CFP or CFA fetching premium salaries. For those looking to maximize financial advisor pay in Decatur IL, strategically building a substantial client base, focusing on AUM growth, and attaining high-level certifications remain critical strategies to enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Decatur, IL:
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 $113,944 for financial advisorsin the Decatur 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 Decatur 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