Financial Advisor Salary in Milwaukee, WI: $129,962 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Milwaukee, WI earns a median $129,962/year (≈ $62.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Milwaukee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $134,069 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the expected median annual salary for financial advisors in 2026 is projected to reach $129,962, which stands significantly above the national median of $108,537. This represents a compelling 19.74% premium for local advisors. Salaries in this role vary widely, ranging from $66,959 at the 10th percentile up to an impressive $403,149 at the 90th percentile, according to official BLS OEWS surveys. This discrepancy highlights a competitive market driven by the growing prominence of fee-only fiduciary firms and the increasing demand for Certified Financial Planner (CFP) professionals. Milwaukee's job market reflects this trend, establishing a robust environment for financial advising.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,959 | $32.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,728 | $48.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,962 | $62.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $213,438 | $102.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $403,149 | $193.82 |
Median Salary Position
19.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, WI, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $336,190 (2026 est.). At $129,962, the local median is 19.74% above the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milwaukee: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Milwaukee Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Milwaukee median: $129,962/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $120,895 | +7.50% more |
| National Average | $108,537 | +19.74% more |
Financial Advisors in Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $129,962 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.74% higher than the national median of $108,537 and 7.50% above the Wisconsin state average of $120,895.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukee has a cost of living 3.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 96.937 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $129,962 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,069 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,290
2025 BLS Actual
$125,810
2026 Current Est.
$129,962
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $106,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $121,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,962 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,250 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 39.3% from $90,290 (2019) to $125,810 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,250 by 2027 — a total increase of $43,960 (48.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukee 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) | $66,959 – $100,728 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,728 – $129,962 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,962 – $213,438 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $213,438 – $403,149 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Milwaukee
The financial advisor job market in Milwaukee is robust, with around 2,150 professionals actively employed. Despite the local cost-of-living index sitting below the national average at 96.937, the financial compensation remains attractive. High-paying employers in the area include wirehouses such as Morgan Stanley and UBS, as well as notable Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) like Northwestern Mutual and Edward Jones. The variance in salaries within the city stems from factors including assets under management (AUM), fee structures, and credentialing, with CFP and CFA designations significantly influencing pay levels. To maximize financial advisor pay in Milwaukee, candidates should focus on building a strong client base, improving their qualifications, and strategically considering opportunities within high-performing firms that prioritize fiduciary models and value AUM-based compensation.
More salary data for Milwaukee, WI:
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 $125,810 for financial advisorsin the Milwaukee 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