Financial Advisor Salary in Columbus, IN: $80,212 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Columbus, IN earns a median $80,212/year (≈ $38.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.0), that paycheck buys what $86,247 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average financial advisor salary in Columbus, IN is projected to be around $80,212, which is notably lower than the national median of $108,537. The salary range for financial advisors in this region spans from $46,857 at the 10th percentile to as much as $212,715 at the 90th percentile. This information is derived from comprehensive analyses based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. As firms increasingly emphasize fee-only fiduciary services and the value of CFP credentials, advisors in Columbus may find themselves navigating a competitive job market that puts a premium on specialized training and client-centric approaches.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,857 | $22.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,584 | $26.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,212 | $38.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,041 | $51.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $212,715 | $102.27 |
Median Salary Position
26.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, IN, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $165,858 (2026 est.). At $80,212, the local median is 26.1% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Columbus Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Columbus median: $80,212/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $81,023 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -26.10% less |
Financial Advisors in Columbus, IN earn a median of $80,212 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.10% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 1.00% below the Indiana state average of $81,023.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 7.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, IN has a cost-of-living index of 93.003 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $80,212 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,247 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,140
2025 BLS Actual
$77,650
2026 Current Est.
$80,212
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,212 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,859 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 14.0% from $68,140 (2019) to $77,650 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,859 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,719 (21.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $46,857 – $54,584 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,584 – $80,212 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,212 – $108,041 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,041 – $212,715 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Columbus
The local financial advisory employment scenario features roughly 70 financial advisors grappling with a cost-of-living index that stands at 93.003, indicating a lower-than-average living expense compared to national standards. Those working for large wirehouses like Morgan Stanley or Wells Fargo Advisors might access higher pay, but independent broker-dealers and RIAs, especially those focusing on fiduciary service, often offer competitive compensation derived from AUM-based fee structures. The significant disparity in pay can stem from factors such as assets under management and the advisor's client base, where high-net-worth clients can command higher fees. To maximize earnings in Columbus, aspiring advisors should consider acquiring CFP certifications and targeting firms that value fiduciary responsibility, aligning their practices with the shifting industry trends towards client-centered financial management.
More salary data for Columbus, IN:
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 $77,650 for financial advisorsin the Columbus 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