Financial Advisor Salary in St. Charles, IL: $114,425 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in St. Charles, IL earns a median $114,425/year (≈ $55.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in St. Charles's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $117,842 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In St. Charles, IL, financial advisors can expect a median annual salary of $114,425 in 2026. This figure reflects the unique dynamics of the local market, particularly given the ongoing shift between wirehouse and RIA structures and how assets under management (AUM) models shape advisor compensation. Salaries in the area range widely from $66,367 to $177,360, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost considerations. The financial advisor pay in St. Charles is notably competitive, surpassing the national median of $108,537 by approximately 5.42%. This trend indicates a vibrant marketplace for savvy professionals who can navigate the complexities of both commission-based and fee-only service models.
About the St. Charles Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,367 | $31.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,386 | $39.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $114,425 | $55.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,465 | $70.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $177,360 | $85.27 |
Median Salary Position
5.42% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Charles
In St. Charles, IL, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,993 (2026 est.). At $114,425, the local median is 5.42% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Charles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Charles Financial Advisor Pay Compares
St. Charles median: $114,425/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Charles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $116,050 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | +5.42% more |
Financial Advisors in St. Charles, IL earn a median of $114,425 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.42% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 1.40% below the Illinois state average of $116,050.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Charles 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.
St. Charles, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $114,425 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $117,842 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,616
2025 BLS Actual
$110,770
2026 Current Est.
$114,425
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in St. Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,616 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,176 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,279 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,565 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,982 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,425 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,201 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Charles metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $92,616 (2019) to $110,770 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,201 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,585 (27.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Charles 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) | $66,367 – $82,386 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,386 – $114,425 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $114,425 – $146,465 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,465 – $177,360 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in St. Charles
Looking deeper into the local job market, there are currently seven financial advisors employed in St. Charles, highlighting a comparatively limited pool and an opportunity for growth. The cost of living index in the area stands at 97.1, suggesting that salaries stretch further in St. Charles than in many other parts of the country. To maximize earnings in this market, advisors should focus on establishing a robust book of business, particularly involving high-net-worth clients, which can significantly drive up AUM. Employers such as Morgan Stanley and RBC Wealth Management are among the highest-paying, contrasting with smaller, fiduciary RIAs that might offer lower salaries but include a more client-centric fee model. Other factors influencing pay disparities include the advisor's credentials, such as a CFP or CFA, and the ability to bring in large clients. As such, financial advisors should concentrate on building their qualifications and client relationships to enhance their market value in St. Charles, IL.
More salary data for St. Charles, 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 $110,770 for financial advisorsin the St. Charles 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 St. Charles 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