Financial Advisor Salary in 2026
Provide personalized financial guidance to individuals and families on investments and planning.
Median Salary
$105,070
$8,756/mo
Entry Level
$54,800
starting pay
Senior Level
$177,000
experienced
Job Growth
+4%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Personal Financial Advisors (SOC 13-2052) at a national median of $105,070 per year (mean $156,670), or $50.51 per hour, with 266,800 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Financial Advisor Overview
Provide personalized financial guidance to individuals and families on investments and planning.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-5 years
Industry
Finance
Total Jobs (US)
267K
5-Year Growth
+15%
Category
Finance
Hourly Rate
$50.51/hr
Monthly Pay
$8,756
Financial Advisor Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Financial Advisor salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Financial Advisor Salary
$135,000
$11,250/month · $5,192/biweekly · $64.90/hr
Financial Advisor Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Financial Advisor field.
Entry-level Financial Advisors earn around $54,800, while the top 10% earn $231,250 or more.
Top Paying States for Financial Advisors
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $124,000 | +$18,930 |
| New York | $121,000 | +$15,930 |
| Illinois | $109,000 | +$3,930 |
| Florida | $103,000 | $-2,070 |
| Texas | $103,000 | $-2,070 |
Top Paying Cities for Financial Advisors
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $131,000 | +$25,930 |
| New York | $124,000 | +$18,930 |
| Los Angeles | $118,000 | +$12,930 |
| Chicago | $110,000 | +$4,930 |
| Miami | $107,000 | +$1,930 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Financial Advisor Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Financial Advisor from entry level to expert.
$54,800
0-2 years
$116,000
3-7 years
$177,000
8-14 years
$285,500
15+ years
Related Finance Jobs
Financial Advisor Salary FAQ
How much does a Financial Advisor make in 2026?
The median salary for a Financial Advisor in the United States is $105,070 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Personal Financial Advisors (SOC 13-2052); the mean is $156,670. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $54,800, senior professionals around $177,000, and top earners at $285,500 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Financial Advisor?
A Financial Advisor typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 2-5 years of experience. Key skills include Investment Planning, Retirement Planning, Tax Strategy. Relevant certifications such as CFP or Series 7/66 can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Financial Advisors?
The job market for Financial Advisors is projected to grow by 4% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 267K Financial Advisor positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 15%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Financial Advisors the most?
The highest-paying states for Financial Advisors include California, New York, Florida. In California, the median salary is approximately $124,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Financial Advisor salary?
To increase your Financial Advisor salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Investment Planning and Retirement Planning. Pursue certifications such as CFP. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 2-5 years of experience, you can progress from $54,800 to $177,000 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Financial Advisor Salary
How we calculate Financial Advisor salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Personal Financial Advisors (SOC 13-2052), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $105,070, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Personal Financial Advisors; BLS mean $156,670; BLS hourly median $50.51.
- Entry-level ($54,800) and senior-level ($177,000) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +4% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 266,800 Personal Financial Advisors jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 15% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Finance sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $105,070; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Financial Advisor compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Financial Advisor job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Finance
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Financial Advisor salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Investment Planning, Retirement Planning, Tax Strategy), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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