Financial Advisor.
Birmingham.
$71,000
median salary, 19% below the national average
$50,000 to $101,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what Financial Advisors actually make in Birmingham: $50,000 at the 25th percentile, $71,000 at the median, and $101,000 at the 75th. That is 19% below the national average. Birmingham is Alabama's largest metro, anchored by a major medical center, banking, and a growing innovation district. The number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $64,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$46,000
to $57,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$60,000
to $75,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$78,000
to $92,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$89,000
to $110,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $16,000 to the total package.
Base
$71,000
Equity
$9,000
Bonus
$6,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $87,000
How Birmingham compares
Birmingham, AL
$71,000
Cost of living: 16% below average
National Average
$88,000
Birmingham is $17,000 below
Financial Advisor salary by city
Salary by role in Birmingham
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Financial Advisor offer in Birmingham, understand the terrain. Birmingham is Alabama's largest metro, anchored by a major medical center, banking, and a growing innovation district. UAB is one of the state's largest employers and a driver of biomedical research jobs. The extremely low cost of living makes Birmingham a strong value for professionals in healthcare and finance. 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 Birmingham, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 16% 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: alabama's top state income tax rate is 5%. Birmingham has no city income tax. The low rate combined with very affordable housing creates excellent take home pay ratios. When someone quotes you $71,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage UAB and the medical corridor when negotiating. Healthcare and biotech roles command nationally competitive salaries even in this low cost market. The range for Financial Advisors in Birmingham runs from $50,000 to $101,000. 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
Considering a related role?
- A Registered Nurse in Birmingham earns $72,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Birmingham is Chief AI Officer at $263,000
Common questions.
Financial Advisor salary in other cities
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