Financial Advisor Salary in Wausau, WI: $103,816 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time financial advisor in Wausau, WI earns a median $103,816/year (≈ $49.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2052). Once you factor in Wausau's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $112,051 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Financial advisors in Wausau, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary of $103,816 in 2026. This figure sits about 4.35% lower than the national median of $108,537. The salary range for these professionals is notable, with earnings spanning from $48,675 at the lower end to an impressive $393,862 for top earners. These projections are based on the 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflecting the ongoing dynamics in the job market. The Wausau financial sector is poised for growth, driven by an increasing demand for professional financial guidance as individuals and families in the region seek to enhance their wealth management strategies.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,675 | $23.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,618 | $34.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,816 | $49.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $181,199 | $87.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $393,862 | $189.36 |
Median Salary Position
4.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wausau
In Wausau, WI, the financial advisor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $345,187 (2026 est.). At $103,816, the local median is 4.35% below the national median of $108,537.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wausau: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Wausau Financial Advisor Pay Compares
Wausau median: $103,816/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wausau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $120,998 | -14.20% less |
| National Average | $108,537 | -4.35% less |
Financial Advisors in Wausau, WI earn a median of $103,816 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.35% lower than the national median of $108,537 and 14.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $120,998.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wausau has a cost of living 7.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wausau, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.651 (below the national average of 100). A financial advisor earning $103,816 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,051 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,290
2025 BLS Actual
$100,500
2026 Current Est.
$103,816
2019–2027 Growth
+37.0%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,816 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,242 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wausau metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew 28.4% from $78,290 (2019) to $100,500 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,242 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,952 (36.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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) | $48,675 – $71,618 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,618 – $103,816 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,816 – $181,199 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $181,199 – $393,862 |
CFP, FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual financial advisor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Financial Advisor Job Market in Wausau
As of now, there are approximately 70 financial advisors employed in Wausau, WI, indicating a stable job market for this profession. When evaluating financial advisor pay in Wausau, WI, the cost-of-living index (92.651) means that local professionals can enjoy a reasonable purchasing power despite lower salaries compared to the national average. Among local employers, firms such as Northwestern Mutual and Edward Jones are recognized for competitive compensation, particularly for advisors who cultivate high-net-worth client bases. Factors impacting income variability include the fee model—1% AUM at RIAs versus commissions at wirehouses—and the concentration of affluent clients. For those aiming to maximize their earnings in this market, obtaining CFP or CFA credentials can provide a significant edge, alongside leveraging opportunities from potential breakaway packages offered by wirehouses.
More salary data for Wausau, 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 $100,500 for financial advisorsin the Wausau 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