Financial Advisor Salary in Elizabethtown, KY: $73,168 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Elizabethtown, KY earns a median $73,168/year (≈ $35.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Elizabethtown's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $81,935 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, financial advisors in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, can expect a median annual salary of $73,168, which reflects a stark contrast to the national median of $108,537. The local salary range shows considerable variation, from $42,438 at the lower decile to as much as $113,411 for those at the top; this disparity can largely be attributed to the structural divide between wirehouse and Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) models in the area. Advisors operating under an AUM-based fee structure, typical of RIAs, often earn significantly more than their commission-based counterparts at traditional wirehouses. The figures cited here are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026 with regional cost adjustments, revealing both the income potential and competitive dynamics of Elizabethtown’s financial advisory sector.
About the Elizabethtown Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,438 | $20.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,681 | $25.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,168 | $35.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,656 | $45.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,411 | $54.52 |
Median Salary Position
32.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elizabethtown
In Elizabethtown, KY, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,973 (2026 est.). At $73,168, the local median is 32.59% below the national median of $108,537.
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At 40 hours/week in Elizabethtown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elizabethtown Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Elizabethtown median: $73,168/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elizabethtown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $74,891 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -32.59% less |
Financial Advisors in Elizabethtown, KY earn a median of $73,168 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.59% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 2.30% below the Kentucky state average of $74,891.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elizabethtown has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elizabethtown, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $73,168 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,935 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,222
2025 BLS Actual
$70,831
2026 Current Est.
$73,168
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Elizabethtown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,222 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,561 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,831 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,168 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,583 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elizabethtown metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $59,222 (2019) to $70,831 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,583 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,361 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elizabethtown 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) | $42,438 – $52,681 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,681 – $73,168 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,168 – $93,656 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,656 – $113,411 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Elizabethtown
Evaluating the local job market, only five financial advisors are currently employed in Elizabethtown, highlighting a niche opportunity for new entrants. The cost-of-living index of 89.3 indicates that while salaries may seem lower than the national average, the purchasing power for advisors residing in this area can be quite favorable. Among local employers, traditional wirehouses such as Morgan Stanley or Merrill Lynch may offer competitive compensation, yet independents and RIAs are becoming increasingly prominent in shaping the pay structure. The variation in salaries is primarily driven by factors such as asset management size, fee models, and client demographics. Those seeking higher pay can benefit from earning their CFP or CFA credentials, focusing on high-net-worth individual clients, or strategically positioning themselves to transition from a wirehouse to an independent RIA. By capitalizing on local market strengths and adjusting practices accordingly, advisors can significantly enhance their earning potential in Elizabethtown.
More salary data for Elizabethtown, KY:
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 $70,831 for financial advisorsin the Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown 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