Personal Financial Advisors Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $126,530 +23.9% vs national
Median hourly $60.83
10th percentile $64,540
90th percentile —
Employed locally 100
National median $102,140

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Personal Financial Advisors
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $64,540
    25th
    $78,630
    50th (median)
    $126,530
    75th
    $173,190

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Personal Financial Advisors salary vs area income 116% Median Personal Financial Advisors salary is 16% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Personal Financial Advisors

    Metro areaMedian salary
    East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area $169,520
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $168,350
    New York $167,970
    Boise City, ID $167,940
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $157,510
    Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC $155,950

    Nearby metros — Personal Financial Advisors salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $157,510
    Utica-Rome, NY $129,930
    California $128,650
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $128,400
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $128,370
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $126,690

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Accountants and Auditors $83,070
    Business Operations Specialists, All Other $78,770
    Management Analysts $101,930
    Project Management Specialists $102,160
    Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists $76,440
    Human Resources Specialists $81,280

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Personal Financial Advisors make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Personal Financial Advisors in Santa Cruz, CA is $60.83, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $130.67 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Personal Financial Advisors salaries?

    The median Personal Financial Advisors salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 23.9% above the national median of $102,140. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Personal Financial Advisors in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Personal Financial Advisors (10th percentile) earn around $64,540 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $78,630.