Financial Advisor Salary in Louisville, KY: $81,628 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Louisville, KY earns a median $81,628/year (≈ $39.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Louisville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $91,409 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.0% above the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, financial advisors in Louisville, Kentucky, can expect a median annual salary of $81,628, reflecting a competitive market for professionals in the field. The salary range for this occupation varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $47,344 and potential earnings reaching as high as $126,523 for experienced advisors. These figures, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, highlight the differences in compensation within the Louisville area. As the financial advisory landscape continues to evolve, especially with the growing trend towards fee-only fiduciary services often associated with Certified Financial Planner (CFP) credentials, these salary dynamics present an appealing prospect for those pursuing a career in financial planning within this city.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,344 | $22.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,772 | $28.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,628 | $39.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,484 | $50.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,523 | $60.83 |
Median Salary Position
24.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Louisville
In Louisville, KY, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,179 (2026 est.). At $81,628, the local median is 24.79% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Louisville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Louisville Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Louisville median: $81,628/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Louisville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $74,888 | +9.00% more |
| National Average | $108,537 | -24.79% less |
Financial Advisors in Louisville, KY earn a median of $81,628 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.79% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $74,888.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Louisville 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.
Louisville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $81,628 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,409 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,069
2025 BLS Actual
$79,020
2026 Current Est.
$81,628
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,069 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,182 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,822 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,891 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,834 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,628 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,321 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisville metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $66,069 (2019) to $79,020 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,321 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,252 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisville 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) | $47,344 – $58,772 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,772 – $81,628 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,628 – $104,484 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,484 – $126,523 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Louisville
With 132 financial advisors currently employed in Louisville, the local market demonstrates a solid foundation for career growth and opportunity. The cost-of-living index stands at 89.3, which is below the national average, translating to a favorable economic environment for advisors in terms of take-home purchasing power. Employers that tend to offer higher compensation include larger wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch, as well as established independent broker-dealers such as Raymond James and Cetera. The disparity in salary between professionals often arises from factors such as assets under management (AUM), varying fee models, and client demographics, with high-net-worth (HNW) client concentration leading to elevated earnings. For financial advisors looking to maximize their pay in Louisville, selecting the right employer and focusing on developing a robust fee-only model could significantly impact their compensation trajectory as the market continues to shift toward fiduciary practices.
More salary data for Louisville, 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 $79,020 for financial advisorsin the Louisville 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 Louisville 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