Financial Advisor Salary in Bethlehem, PA: $129,540 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Bethlehem, PA earns a median $129,540/year (≈ $62.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Bethlehem's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $132,998 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 23.4% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Bethlehem's financial advisor salary in 2026 is projected to reach $129,540, distinctly higher than the national median of $108,537, representing a significant local premium of 19.35%. The salary range for advisors in the area reflects a broad spectrum, with entry-level positions starting around $75,133 and seasoned professionals earning up to $200,787. These figures derive from 2025 BLS data and account for regional price adjustments, illustrating that Bethlehem offers a lucrative market for those navigating careers in financial advisory roles. As the industry trends towards independence, advisors transitioning from traditional wirehouses may find favorable compensation opportunities aligned with their experience and clientele.
About the Bethlehem Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,133 | $36.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,269 | $44.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,540 | $62.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,812 | $79.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,787 | $96.53 |
Median Salary Position
19.35% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bethlehem
In Bethlehem, PA, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,654 (2026 est.). At $129,540, the local median is 19.35% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bethlehem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bethlehem Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Bethlehem median: $129,540/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bethlehem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $104,976 | +23.40% more |
| National Average | $108,537 | +19.35% more |
Financial Advisors in Bethlehem, PA earn a median of $129,540 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.35% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 23.40% above the Pennsylvania state average of $104,976.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bethlehem has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bethlehem, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $129,540 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $132,998 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,850
2025 BLS Actual
$125,402
2026 Current Est.
$129,540
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Bethlehem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,616 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,393 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,849 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,628 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,402 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,540 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,815 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bethlehem metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $104,850 (2019) to $125,402 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,815 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,965 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bethlehem 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) | $75,133 – $93,269 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,269 – $129,540 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,540 – $165,812 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,812 – $200,787 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Bethlehem
Currently employing 14 financial advisors, Bethlehem presents a stable yet competitive job market. The cost of living index at 97.4 indicates that expenses remain below the national average, enhancing the effective earnings for local advisors. Among regional employers, wirehouses such as Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch tend to offer higher salaries, particularly for advisors who manage significant assets. The pronounced disparity between pay levels can be attributed to factors like AUM book size and the fee structures prevalent at various firms, with RIAs often offering more favorable performance-based compensation compared to commission-based models at wirehouses. For professionals in this sector, securing credentials such as the CFP can yield a premium in pay, while also adopting a fiduciary approach can attract high-net-worth clients looking for trust and expertise. Employing these strategies will empower financial advisors to maximize their earning potential within Bethlehem's evolving financial landscape.
More salary data for Bethlehem, PA:
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 $125,402 for financial advisorsin the Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem 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