Financial Advisor Salary in Williston, ND: $95,282 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Williston, ND earns a median $95,282/year (≈ $45.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Williston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $103,567 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For financial advisors in Williston, North Dakota, the projected median salary in 2026 is $95,282, which is 12.21% below the national median of $108,537. The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $55,263 at the 10th percentile to $147,687 at the 90th percentile. Local compensation estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variations, offering a realistic perspective on earnings in this specific job market. The bifurcation of the industry into commission-based wirehouses and fee-only registered investment advisors (RIAs) underpins the pay structure here, shaping how much do financial advisors make in Williston based primarily on their employment model and assets under management (AUM).
About the Williston Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,263 | $26.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,603 | $32.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,282 | $45.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,961 | $58.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $147,687 | $71.01 |
Median Salary Position
12.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williston
In Williston, ND, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $92,424 (2026 est.). At $95,282, the local median is 12.21% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Williston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Williston Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Williston median: $95,282/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Williston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $99,876 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -12.21% less |
Financial Advisors in Williston, ND earn a median of $95,282 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.21% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 4.60% below the North Dakota state average of $99,876.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Williston has a cost of living 8.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Williston, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $95,282 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,567 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$77,121
2025 BLS Actual
$92,238
2026 Current Est.
$95,282
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Williston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,121 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,669 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,418 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,253 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,238 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,282 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,426 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Williston metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $77,121 (2019) to $92,238 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,426 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,305 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williston 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) | $55,263 – $68,603 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,603 – $95,282 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,282 – $121,961 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,961 – $147,687 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Williston
A total of seven financial advisors are currently employed in Williston, reflecting a modest local job market for this profession. The cost of living index in the region is 92, which is below the national average, meaning financial advisors might find their take-home pay stretches further compared to areas with higher living costs. Among local employers, wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch tend to offer competitive salaries, but advisors aligned with RIAs may experience pay variances based on their AUM book size and client concentrations. Factors affecting the salary spread include the advisor's fee model, whether they utilize a fiduciary framework or commission-based structure, and any premium associated with advanced credentials such as CFP or CFA. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, focusing on building a strong AUM base and exploring leadership opportunities within their networks may provide valuable pathways to higher compensation in Williston, ND.
More salary data for Williston, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do financial advisors make in Williston, ND in 2026?
Is Williston, ND a good place to work as a financial advisor?
Can financial advisors make $100K in Williston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted financial advisor salary in Williston?
How much does a financial advisor make per hour in Williston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Dakota
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 $92,238 for financial advisorsin the Williston 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 Williston 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