Financial Advisor Salary in Johnson City, TN: $79,386 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Johnson City, TN earns a median $79,386/year (≈ $38.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Johnson City's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $90,285 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $79,386 in 2026, financial advisors in Johnson City, TN, find themselves in a local market where compensation is shaped by the dual forces of wirehouse and Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) structures. The salary range spans from $44,057 at the lower end to a striking $298,434 at the upper level, reflecting the diverse pay scale based on client assets under management (AUM) and the differing fee structures. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights a significant disparity in earning potential, particularly influenced by whether an advisor operates under a commission-based model typical of wirehouses or a fee-only fiduciary model common among RIAs. This bifurcation in the industry will affect how much do financial advisors make in Johnson City, with those affiliated with RIAs often securing a more stable income through AUM-based compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,057 | $21.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,538 | $25.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,386 | $38.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,631 | $59.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $298,434 | $143.47 |
Median Salary Position
26.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnson City
In Johnson City, TN, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $254,377 (2026 est.). At $79,386, the local median is 26.86% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnson City: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Johnson City Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Johnson City median: $79,386/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnson City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $108,537 | -26.86% less |
Financial Advisors in Johnson City, TN earn a median of $79,386 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.86% lower than the national median of $108,537.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnson City has a cost of living 12.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnson City, TN has a cost-of-living index of 87.928 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $79,386 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,285 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,760
2025 BLS Actual
$76,850
2026 Current Est.
$79,386
2019–2027 Growth
+-13.5%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Johnson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,850 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,386 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,006 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnson City metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew -18.9% from $94,760 (2019) to $76,850 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,006 by 2027 — a total increase of $-12,754 (-13.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnson City 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) | $44,057 – $52,538 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,538 – $79,386 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,386 – $124,631 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,631 – $298,434 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Johnson City
The local financial advisory landscape employs around 90 advisors, indicating a solid presence in the region, yet the cost of living index in Johnson City stands at 87.928, which is below the national average, suggesting reasonable housing and living expenses relative to income. This affordability can enhance take-home purchasing power for financial advisors, allowing for a more comfortable lifestyle despite the notably lower salary averages compared to the national median of $108,537. Among local employers offering top compensation, major wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch may provide lucrative packages; however, advisors in small RIAs or solo practices may benefit from the fiduciary model that prioritizes client interests and often leads to stronger client relationships. To maximize financial advisor pay in Johnson City, individuals should focus on accumulating AUM, consider obtaining financial certifications such as CFP or CFA credentials, and evaluate opportunities in high-net-worth client segments or potentially lucrative transition packages from wirehouses.
More salary data for Johnson City, TN:
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 $76,850 for financial advisorsin the Johnson City 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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