Financial Advisor Salary in Winston-Salem, NC: $108,172 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Winston-Salem, NC earns a median $108,172/year (≈ $52.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Winston-Salem's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $115,568 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the financial advisor salary in Winston-Salem is projected to reach a median of $108,172, which closely aligns with the national median of $108,537 and reflects the local market dynamics. The salary range for financial advisors in this region is diverse, spanning from a lower tenth percentile of $62,739 to an upper ninetieth percentile of $167,666. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economics and cost of living considerations. The financial landscape in Winston-Salem, NC, indicates a growing opportunity for financial professionals, particularly as the market evolves and more advisors consider independent routes, potentially impacting long-term compensation structures.
About the Winston-Salem Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,739 | $30.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,884 | $37.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,172 | $52.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138,459 | $66.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167,666 | $80.60 |
Median Salary Position
0.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston-Salem
In Winston-Salem, NC, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,927 (2026 est.). At $108,172, the local median is 0.34% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston-Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston-Salem Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Winston-Salem median: $108,172/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston-Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $104,413 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $108,537 | -0.34% less |
Financial Advisors in Winston-Salem, NC earn a median of $108,172 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.34% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 3.60% above the North Carolina state average of $104,413.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston-Salem 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.
Winston-Salem, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $108,172 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $115,568 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,554
2025 BLS Actual
$104,716
2026 Current Est.
$108,172
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Winston-Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,554 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,029 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,853 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,069 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,244 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,856 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,716 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,172 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,741 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston-Salem metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $87,554 (2019) to $104,716 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,741 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,187 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston-Salem 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) | $62,739 – $77,884 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,884 – $108,172 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,172 – $138,459 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $138,459 – $167,666 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Winston-Salem
With 59 financial advisors currently employed in Winston-Salem, the job market appears stable yet competitive. The local cost of living index sits at 93.6, which suggests that residents can enjoy a relatively favorable purchasing power compared to the national average. Among local employers, wirehouses such as Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo Advisors tend to offer higher salaries, driven by commission-based models. In contrast, registered investment advisors (RIAs) and independent broker-dealers, like LPL and Raymond James, often focus on an AUM-based fee structure, which can lead to variances in advisor compensation. Factors like client book size, the density of high-net-worth clients, and the presence of advanced credentials, such as the CFP or CFA, further influence earning potential. For those looking to maximize their financial advisor pay in Winston-Salem, concentrating on building a diverse client base and specializing in fiduciary services can yield substantial rewards.
More salary data for Winston-Salem, 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 $104,716 for financial advisorsin the Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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