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Financial Examiners vs Personal Financial Advisors: Salary Comparison

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025).

National Salary Overview

Financial Examiners

Median Salary
$89,292
Average (Mean)
$98,738
Employed Nationwide
66,530
VS

Personal Financial Advisors

Median Salary
$99,081
Average (Mean)
$140,962
Employed Nationwide
246,870
Personal Financial Advisors earns $9,788 more (11.0%)
Financial Examiners vs Personal Financial Advisors national median (BLS 2025)Ranked horizontal bars comparing 2 entries.Financial ExaminersFinancial ExaminersFinancial Examiners: $89,293$89,293Personal Financial AdvisorsPersonal Financial AdvisorsPersonal Financial Advisors: $99,081$99,081

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $89,292 $99,081
Average (Mean) Salary $98,738 $140,962
Total Employment 66,530 246,870
States with Higher Pay 14 33

Salary by State: Financial Examiners vs Personal Financial Advisors

Showing 47 states where both occupations have BLS data. Financial Examiners pays more in 14 states; Personal Financial Advisors pays more in 33.

State Financial Examiners Personal Financial Advisors Difference
Alaska $90,530
$78,690
+$11,840
Arizona $80,260
$96,950
$-16,690
Arkansas $57,590
$79,420
$-21,830
California $106,000
$130,330
$-24,330
Colorado $99,610
$89,280
+$10,330
Connecticut $120,530
$129,720
$-9,190
Delaware $92,390
$125,050
$-32,660
District of Columbia $198,720
$104,990
+$93,730
Florida $76,230
$100,970
$-24,740
Georgia $77,710
$101,450
$-23,740
Hawaii $62,720
$76,070
$-13,350
Idaho $85,260
$94,370
$-9,110
Illinois $93,150
$120,130
$-26,980
Indiana $81,300
$87,710
$-6,410
Iowa $80,370
$92,310
$-11,940
Kansas $80,420
$102,530
$-22,110
Kentucky $76,260
$67,150
+$9,110
Maryland $102,980
$99,880
+$3,100
Massachusetts $111,110
$125,670
$-14,560
Michigan $71,050
$77,930
$-6,880
Minnesota $104,260
$102,660
+$1,600
Mississippi $85,430
$63,300
+$22,130
Missouri $79,990
$99,930
$-19,940
Montana $80,970
$97,450
$-16,480
Nebraska $74,460
$93,280
$-18,820
Nevada $84,650
$92,720
$-8,070
New Hampshire $80,810
$96,780
$-15,970
New Jersey $106,410
$158,570
$-52,160
New Mexico $67,950
$94,270
$-26,320
New York $128,920
$166,400
$-37,480
North Carolina $100,730
$96,880
+$3,850
North Dakota $82,640
$76,870
+$5,770
Ohio $69,040
$90,990
$-21,950
Oklahoma $80,760
$68,670
+$12,090
Oregon $94,630
$122,830
$-28,200
Pennsylvania $78,500
$105,200
$-26,700
Rhode Island $94,130
$80,200
+$13,930
South Carolina $86,440
$96,330
$-9,890
South Dakota $88,690
$128,720
$-40,030
Tennessee $87,110
$84,160
+$2,950
Texas $78,140
$99,160
$-21,020
Utah $92,000
$77,390
+$14,610
Vermont $74,680
$110,020
$-35,340
Virginia $104,060
$102,640
+$1,420
Washington $113,700
$114,050
$-350
West Virginia $60,590
$80,010
$-19,420
Wisconsin $86,320
$119,430
$-33,110

Explore This Comparison by State

Dive deeper — see how Financial Examiners vs Personal Financial Advisors salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Financial Examiners or Personal Financial Advisors?
On average across all states, a Personal Financial Advisors earns more than a Financial Examiners. The national median salary difference is $9,788 (11.0%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Financial Examiners earn more than a Personal Financial Advisors?
A Financial Examiners earns a higher median salary than a Personal Financial Advisors in 14 out of 47 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Personal Financial Advisors pays more in 33 states.
What is the median salary for a Financial Examiners vs Personal Financial Advisors?
The national median salary for a Financial Examiners is $89,292 per year, compared to $99,081 for a Personal Financial Advisors, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Financial Examiners or Personal Financial Advisors?
There are more people employed as Personal Financial Advisors. BLS reports approximately 66,530 Financial Examiners positions and 246,870 Personal Financial Advisors positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Financial Examiners or Personal Financial Advisors?
Both Financial Examiners and Personal Financial Advisors are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.

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