Financial Advisor Salary in Bristol, VA: $94,579 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Bristol, VA earns a median $94,579/year (≈ $45.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $91,646 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, financial advisors in Bristol, Virginia, can anticipate a median annual salary of $94,579, which reflects a notable variance compared to the national median of $108,537. The full salary range for this role in the local market spans from $54,856 at the 10th percentile to $146,598 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, highlight the salary potential within a city that is seeing growth in fee-only fiduciary practices. As the trend toward Certified Financial Planner (CFP) credentials burgeons, the compensation landscape for financial advisors in Bristol is set to evolve, influenced by both local demand for financial expertise and the broader market shifts in wealth management dealing with adaptability in their fee structures.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,856 | $26.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,097 | $32.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,579 | $45.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,061 | $58.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,598 | $70.48 |
Median Salary Position
12.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, VA, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $91,742 (2026 est.). At $94,579, the local median is 12.86% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Bristol median: $94,579/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $93,643 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $108,537 | -12.86% less |
Financial Advisors in Bristol, VA earn a median of $94,579 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.86% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 1.00% above the Virginia state average of $93,643.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $94,579 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $91,646 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,552
2025 BLS Actual
$91,558
2026 Current Est.
$94,579
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,552 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,842 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,123 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,774 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,102 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,558 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,579 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,701 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 19.6% from $76,552 (2019) to $91,558 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,701 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,149 (27.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $54,856 – $68,097 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,097 – $94,579 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,579 – $121,061 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,061 – $146,598 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Bristol
Among the six financial advisors working in Bristol, the cost of living index stands at 103.2, indicating that while salaries might be lower than the national average, the purchasing power reflects local economic conditions. Prominent employers in the area include national wirehouses like Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo Advisors, along with independent broker-dealers such as Raymond James, which tend to pay competitively, especially for advisors who can showcase a solid book of high net worth clients. The variation in financial advisor pay in Bristol, VA, largely hinges on factors like assets under management (AUM), the fee model chosen by clients, and the demand for fiduciary practices. Advisors focusing on AUM-based fees may find more lucrative opportunities, particularly when they secure significant client portfolios or transition from traditional wirehouse structures. For those entering the local financial advisory market, focusing on building strong client relationships, obtaining relevant credentials, and considering positions at firms that prioritize fiduciary services may enhance earning potential significantly.
More salary data for Bristol, VA:
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 $91,558 for financial advisorsin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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