How does company size affect Financial Advisor pay in Salt Lake City?

Large enterprises in Salt Lake City pay Financial Advisors 10 to 20% more in base, but startups compensate with equity. The range of $61,000 to $123,000 spans both.

What does total compensation look like for a Financial Advisor in Salt Lake City?

Fee-based advisors earn 0. Base salaries in Salt Lake City range from $61,000 to $123,000.

What skills drive the highest Financial Advisor salaries?

Assets under management (AUM) and client acquisition ability are the dominant pay factors. In Salt Lake City, compensation ranges from $61,000 to $123,000.

Financial Advisor.

Q: What is the average Financial Advisor salary in Salt Lake City?

The average Financial Advisor salary in Salt Lake City, UT is $86,000 in 2026. The 25th percentile is $61,000 and the 75th percentile is $123,000.

Salt Lake City.

$86,000

median salary, 2% below the national average

$61,000 to $123,000. Updated for 2026.

Get your playbook

The numbers.

Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.

If you are evaluating a Financial Advisor offer in Salt Lake City, UT, here is the reality: $61,000 to $123,000, with $86,000 as the midpoint. 2% below the national average. Assets under management (AUM) and client acquisition ability are the dominant pay factors. Do not accept the first number.

Salary range

25th Percentile

$61,000

per year

Median

$86,000

per year

75th Percentile

$123,000

per year

Tap to place your salary

$61,000$123,000

How Salt Lake City compares

Salt Lake City, UT

$86,000

Cost of living: 2% below average

National Average

$88,000

Salt Lake City is $2,000 below

What you should know

Here is what the Financial Advisor market actually looks like in Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City anchors the Silicon Slopes tech corridor, home to companies like Qualtrics, Pluralsight, and Domo. The region has attracted significant venture investment and tech relocations. Utah's business friendly environment, young educated workforce, and outdoor lifestyle make it a rising destination for tech professionals seeking affordability without sacrificing career growth. 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 Salt Lake City, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.

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: utah has a flat 4.65% state income tax. Salt Lake City imposes no additional city income tax. The moderate rate combined with affordable living costs results in strong net compensation. When someone quotes you $86,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.

On negotiation: Reference Silicon Slopes growth when negotiating. Local employers are increasingly matching 85 to 95% of Seattle or Bay Area salaries to compete for tech talent. The range for Financial Advisors in Salt Lake City runs from $61,000 to $123,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.

Top industries in Salt Lake City

Technology & SaaSHealthcareFinancial ServicesOutdoor RecreationAerospace

Negotiating in Salt Lake City

Reference Silicon Slopes growth when negotiating. Local employers are increasingly matching 85 to 95% of Seattle or Bay Area salaries to compete for tech talent.

Common questions.

Most financial advisors need three to five years to build a book of business generating sustainable income above $80,000. The first two years are often subsidized by the firm's training salary. Advisors who survive the ramp period typically see compounding growth as referrals and AUM accumulate.

The CFP (Certified Financial Planner) designation is strongly correlated with higher earnings, with certified advisors earning 20 to 30% more than non-certified peers. It signals comprehensive planning competence, increases client trust, and is increasingly required for senior roles at major firms.

In 2026, the average Financial Advisor salary in Salt Lake City, UT is $86,000. The 25th percentile sits at $61,000 and the 75th percentile reaches $123,000. Where you land depends on your experience, the company's size, and the specific skills you bring.

In Salt Lake City, large enterprises typically pay Financial Advisors 10 to 20% more in base salary than small companies, but startups often compensate with equity that can exceed base salary value. Fee-based advisors earn 0. The $61,000 to $123,000 range reflects this entire spectrum.

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. In Salt Lake City's market, the base range of $61,000 to $123,000 is just the starting point for negotiation.

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. In Salt Lake City, these factors can push compensation from the 25th percentile of $61,000 to the 75th percentile of $123,000 or beyond.