Financial Advisor Salary in Gardner, KS: $91,491 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Gardner, KS earns a median $91,491/year (≈ $43.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Gardner's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $100,650 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gardner, Kansas, financial advisors are projected to earn a median annual salary of $91,491 in 2026. This figure represents a notable decrease compared to the national median of $108,537, reflecting the local market's structural challenges, particularly from the wirehouse versus Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) divide. Salaries for financial advisors in the region can range significantly, from $53,064 at the 10th percentile to $141,810 for those at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for local economic conditions. The compensation landscape here is influenced by the predominance of AUM-based fee models in RIAs compared to commission structures in traditional wirehouses, shaping how much do financial advisors make in Gardner based on their business strategies and client bases.
About the Gardner Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,064 | $25.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,916 | $31.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,491 | $43.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117,108 | $56.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $141,810 | $68.18 |
Median Salary Position
15.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gardner
In Gardner, KS, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,746 (2026 est.). At $91,491, the local median is 15.71% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gardner: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gardner Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Gardner median: $91,491/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gardner Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $98,696 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -15.71% less |
Financial Advisors in Gardner, KS earn a median of $91,491 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.71% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 7.30% below the Kansas state average of $98,696.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gardner has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gardner, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $91,491 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,650 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,053
2025 BLS Actual
$88,568
2026 Current Est.
$91,491
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Gardner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,053 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,408 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,179 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,568 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,491 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,510 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gardner metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $74,053 (2019) to $88,568 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,510 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,457 (27.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gardner 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) | $53,064 – $65,916 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,916 – $91,491 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,491 – $117,108 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $117,108 – $141,810 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Gardner
With only six financial advisors employed in Gardner, the local job market presents some unique circumstances. The cost of living index is relatively low at 90.9, signaling that while salaries may be lower than national averages, advisors do have better purchasing power in this environment. Among employers, larger firms like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch typically pay more under a commission model, whereas RIAs and insurance-affiliated firms may offer more stability and fee-based income, albeit often at lower starting salaries. The variance in financial advisor pay in Gardner, KS, largely comes down to factors such as assets under management, client concentrations, and credentialing—such as the CFP designation. Advisors aiming to maximize their compensation should consider building a robust portfolio of high-net-worth clients, leveraging fee structures, and exploring opportunities for equity ownership within their firm or through client referrals.
More salary data for Gardner, KS:
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 $88,568 for financial advisorsin the Gardner 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 Gardner 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