Financial Planner Salary in 2026
Financial planners help individuals and families create comprehensive financial strategies including retirement, investment, tax, and estate planning. They build long-term wealth management plans.
Median Salary
$94,000
$7,833/mo
Entry Level
$56,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$128,000
experienced
Job Growth
+15%
10-yr outlook
Financial Planner Overview
Financial planners help individuals and families create comprehensive financial strategies including retirement, investment, tax, and estate planning. They build long-term wealth management plans.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-5 years
Industry
Finance
Total Jobs (US)
280K
5-Year Growth
+15%
Category
Finance
Hourly Rate
$45.19/hr
Monthly Pay
$7,833
Financial Planner Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Financial Planner salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Financial Planner Salary
$104,000
$8,667/month · $4,000/biweekly · $50.00/hr
Financial Planner Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Financial Planner field.
Entry-level Financial Planners earn around $56,000, while the top 10% earn $154,500 or more.
Top Paying States for Financial Planners
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $111,000 | +$17,000 |
| New York | $108,000 | +$14,000 |
| Massachusetts | $105,000 | +$11,000 |
| Florida | $92,000 | $-2,000 |
| Texas | $92,000 | $-2,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Financial Planners
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $118,000 | +$24,000 |
| New York | $111,000 | +$17,000 |
| Boston | $105,000 | +$11,000 |
| Miami | $96,000 | +$2,000 |
| Dallas | $94,000 | $0 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Financial Planner Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Financial Planner from entry level to expert.
$56,000
0-2 years
$92,000
3-7 years
$128,000
8-14 years
$181,000
15+ years
Related Finance Jobs
Financial Planner Salary FAQ
How much does a Financial Planner make in 2026?
The median salary for a Financial Planner in the United States is $94,000 per year in 2026. Entry-level positions start around $56,000, while senior professionals earn up to $128,000. Top earners in the field can make $181,000 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Financial Planner?
A Financial Planner typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 2-5 years of experience. Key skills include Retirement Planning, Tax Planning, Investment Management. Relevant certifications such as CFP or ChFC can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Financial Planners?
The job market for Financial Planners is projected to grow by 15% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 280K Financial Planner positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 15%, reflecting strong demand for this role.
Which states pay Financial Planners the most?
The highest-paying states for Financial Planners include New York, California, Florida. In New York, the median salary is approximately $108,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Financial Planner salary?
To increase your Financial Planner salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Retirement Planning and Tax 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 $56,000 to $128,000 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources — Financial Planner Salary
How we calculate Financial Planner salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $94,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Financial Planner in the Finance sector.
- Entry-level ($56,000) and senior-level ($128,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +15% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 280K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 15% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Finance sector wages.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $94,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Financial Planner compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Financial Planner 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 Planner salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Retirement Planning, Tax Planning, Investment Management), 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 Brazora Monk · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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