Financial Advisor Salary in Kearney, NE: $95,635 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Kearney, NE earns a median $95,635/year (≈ $45.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $104,519 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $95,635 for 2026, financial advisors in Kearney, Nebraska, find themselves earning significantly less than the national median of $108,537. The salary range is quite broad, with the 10th percentile earning around $55,468, while the top 90th percentile can achieve up to $148,234. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, point to a local market that reflects the ongoing shift from traditional wirehouse firms to Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs). As the fiduciary model continues to shape financial advisory services in Kearney, the compensation structures—typically based on assets under management (AUM)—play a crucial role in determining advisor pay and creating a distinct economic profile for the area’s financial professionals.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,468 | $26.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,858 | $33.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,635 | $45.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,413 | $58.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $148,234 | $71.27 |
Median Salary Position
11.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $92,766 (2026 est.). At $95,635, the local median is 11.89% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearney Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Kearney median: $95,635/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $99,310 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -11.89% less |
Financial Advisors in Kearney, NE earn a median of $95,635 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $99,310.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearney has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearney, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $95,635 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,519 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,407
2025 BLS Actual
$92,580
2026 Current Est.
$95,635
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,407 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,711 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,976 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,051 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,743 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,063 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,635 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,791 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $77,407 (2019) to $92,580 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,791 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,384 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney 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) | $55,468 – $68,858 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,858 – $95,635 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,635 – $122,413 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,413 – $148,234 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Kearney
In Kearney, the employment landscape for financial advisors includes only nine individuals in this role, indicating a competitive yet niche market. The relatively low cost of living, with an index of 91.5, enhances the purchasing power of financial advisors, allowing for a more comfortable lifestyle despite the overall lower salary figures compared to national standards. Employers that generally offer higher salaries in Kearney include wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch, alongside independent broker-dealers such as LPL Financial. The disparity in pay between the lower and upper ends of the spectrum is influenced by factors such as AUM book size, the fee model employed (with RIAs' AUM typically at 1% compared to the commission structure at wirehouses), and credentialing such as CFP or CFA status which can command a premium. For those in the area looking to maximize their financial advisor pay in Kearney, building a substantial client base and considering a transition to the RIA model may prove effective paths.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
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 $92,580 for financial advisorsin the Kearney 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 Kearney 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