Financial Advisor.
Billings.
$81,000
median salary, 8% below the national average
$57,000 to $116,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Financial Advisor pay in Billings ranges from $57,000 to $116,000 in 2026. The median is $81,000, 8% below the national average. Billings is Montana's largest city and economic hub, driven by energy, agriculture, and healthcare. Every dollar in that range is negotiable if you come prepared.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $73,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$53,000
to $65,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$69,000
to $85,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$89,000
to $105,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$101,000
to $126,000
Salary trend
+7% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $20,000 to the total package.
Base
$81,000
Equity
$11,000
Bonus
$7,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $101,000
How Billings compares
Billings, MT
$81,000
Cost of living: 11% below average
National Average
$88,000
Billings is $7,000 below
Financial Advisor salary by city
Salary by role in Billings
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Financial Advisor roles in Billings, here is what you are walking into. Billings is Montana's largest city and economic hub, driven by energy, agriculture, and healthcare. The city serves as a regional center for the Northern Plains. Remote work has brought a wave of tech professionals seeking Montana's quality of life, gradually diversifying the local job market. Assets under management (AUM) and client acquisition ability are the dominant pay factors. Advisors managing $50 million or more in AUM earn substantially more through fee-based compensation. The wirehouse versus independent RIA distinction matters: wirehouses offer higher base salaries, while independent advisors have higher long-term earnings potential.
Associate advisors earn $50,000 to $70,000 during training. Advisors with established books earn $80,000 to $130,000. Senior advisors managing $50 million or more in AUM reach $150,000 to $250,000. Partners and principals at RIA firms with large AUM can earn $300,000 to $1 million or more. In Billings, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 11% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Fee-based advisors earn 0.5 to 1.5% of AUM annually, making a $100 million book worth $500,000 to $1.5 million in annual revenue before firm payout. Commission-based advisors earn front-end loads and trailing commissions. Production bonuses and retention bonuses add 10 to 30% at wirehouses. And on the tax side: montana has a top income tax rate of 5.9% but no state sales tax. Billings has no city income tax. The no sales tax benefit helps offset the state income tax. When someone quotes you $81,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Negotiate remote work arrangements. Billings employers are increasingly open to remote and hybrid setups to attract talent from larger metros. The range for Financial Advisors in Billings runs from $57,000 to $116,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
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