Financial Advisor Salary in Kernersville, NC: $103,418 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Kernersville, NC earns a median $103,418/year (≈ $49.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Kernersville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $110,489 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, financial advisors in Kernersville, NC, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $103,418, which reflects a competitive position in the local market compared to the national median of $108,537. The estimated salary range for advisors in this area spans from $59,982 at the 10th percentile to $160,298 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors, suggesting a unique economic landscape in Kernersville where local salary dynamics could be influenced by shifts toward independent advisory practices. The evolving financial landscape, including a growing preference for fiduciary models over traditional commission-based structures, is likely to impact long-term compensation, making this an interesting time for financial professionals within the community.
About the Kernersville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,982 | $28.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,461 | $35.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,418 | $49.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $132,375 | $63.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $160,298 | $77.06 |
Median Salary Position
4.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kernersville
In Kernersville, NC, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,316 (2026 est.). At $103,418, the local median is 4.72% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kernersville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kernersville Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Kernersville median: $103,418/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kernersville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $104,357 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -4.72% less |
Financial Advisors in Kernersville, NC earn a median of $103,418 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.72% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 0.90% below the North Carolina state average of $104,357.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kernersville has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kernersville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $103,418 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $110,489 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,706
2025 BLS Actual
$100,114
2026 Current Est.
$103,418
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Kernersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,706 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,116 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,728 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,891 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,883 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,379 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,114 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,418 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,831 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kernersville metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $83,706 (2019) to $100,114 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,831 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,125 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kernersville 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) | $59,982 – $74,461 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,461 – $103,418 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,418 – $132,375 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $132,375 – $160,298 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Kernersville
The job market for financial advisors in Kernersville remains relatively small, with only six professionals currently employed in the area. This limited pool indicates a niche market where competition for high-net-worth clients could drive higher compensation rates, particularly among wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch, as well as independent firms and Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) that focus on fee-only fiduciary services. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, advisors in Kernersville may find their take-home pay offers a comfortable standard of living, despite a median that is slightly below the national average. The variance in financial advisor pay in Kernersville NC can be attributed to factors such as assets under management (AUM), fee models, and the credentialing of advisors. Those looking to maximize their earning potential in this specific market should consider attaining certifications like CFP or CFA, building a robust client base, and exploring the benefits of establishing their own RIA for partner equity opportunities.
More salary data for Kernersville, NC:
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 $100,114 for financial advisorsin the Kernersville 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 Kernersville 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