💼 Business & Finance ↑ 13% growth · Much faster than average

Financial Advisor / Financial Planner

Financial advisors help individuals and families plan for retirement, invest wisely, and protect their wealth — building long-term client relationships that generate recurring income. Top advisors earn well into six figures, and the CFP credential opens doors to the most trusted and lucrative client relationships.

$95,390 Median Salary

330K US Jobs

4–6 years Training

$15,000–$50,000 Typical Cost

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💰 Salary & Earning Potential

Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures represent national averages — local wages vary by state, city, and employer.

New financial advisors at wirehouses or independent broker-dealers often earn a modest base salary of $40,000–$60,000 while building their book of business. Once a client base is established, advisor income is primarily fee- or commission-based — experienced advisors with $50 million or more in assets under management typically earn $150,000–$400,000+. Fee-only RIA advisors at established firms earn $90,000–$200,000 in salary-plus-bonus structures. The top 10% of advisors with large books and high AUM earn well above $500,000. Building a book of business typically takes five to seven years of consistent prospecting and relationship development.

Entry Level

$50,000

Median

$95,390

Experienced

$200,000

Want your state's salary? Select a state below to see local wage data, demand, and training programs.

📈 Job Outlook

13%

Projected Growth (10yr)

Much faster than average

330K

Total US Jobs

Active positions nationwide

CFP

Required Credential

CFP (Certified Financial Planner) + Series 65 or 66

Financial advisors benefit from an enormous and growing wealth management market — tens of millions of baby boomers approaching and entering retirement need guidance on drawdown strategies, Social Security optimization, and legacy planning. The BLS projects faster-than-average employment growth. Fee-only RIA (Registered Investment Advisor) firms are growing fastest as investors become more skeptical of commission-based advice models. The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER designation is increasingly viewed as the industry standard credential, and advisors with CFP certification report strong market credibility. Technology is enabling more advisor capacity per client, but the relational aspects of wealth management remain fundamentally human.

🎓 Training & Education

Typical Program

Bachelor's in Finance + CFP Certification

Program Length

4–6 years

Typical Tuition

$15,000–$50,000

Work Setting

Wirehouses, independent RIAs, banks, insurance companies

Financial advisors typically hold a bachelor's degree in finance, economics, business, or accounting. Licensing requirements depend on the type of advice provided: Series 65 or 66 for investment advisory, Series 7 for securities brokerage. The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) designation — requiring a bachelor's degree, 6,000 hours of professional experience, completion of an approved CFP coursework program, and passing a comprehensive exam — is the most respected credential in personal financial planning. Many advisors also obtain the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation for investment management specialization. Continuing education is required to maintain CFP and licensing in good standing.

🏆 Credential Required: CFP (Certified Financial Planner) + Series 65 or 66

☀️ Day in the Life

A Financial Advisor begins the morning reviewing the market performance dashboard and checking any client-related news — an earnings release for a stock a client holds, a Fed announcement affecting bond portfolios. Client meetings occupy most of the day: a retirement planning review with a 55-year-old couple, a college funding strategy consultation for a young family, and an estate planning discussion with an older client receiving an inheritance. Between appointments, they review prospectus documents for a new fund being considered for client portfolios, update financial planning software models with revised tax law inputs, and prepare a quarterly performance report for a client reviewing their portfolio progress. New business development is a constant priority — advisors call referrals, send quarterly market commentary newsletters, and follow up with prospects met at a community event. CRM updates and compliance documentation fill the end of each day.

⚖️ Pros & Cons

Pros

Very high income ceiling with established client base: Financial advisors with large AUM — $100 million or more — earn among the highest incomes of any professional services career.
Meaningful help to clients during critical life decisions: Guiding clients through retirement planning, estate decisions, and financial crises provides genuine professional fulfillment.
Growth from massive wealth transfer to boomers: The largest intergenerational wealth transfer in history is underway — advisors who work with high-net-worth families are positioned for substantial growth.
Professional autonomy in client relationship management: Experienced advisors manage their own schedules, client relationships, and investment philosophy with significant independence.
CFP designation provides strong professional differentiation: The CFP mark is increasingly recognized by consumers as a meaningful credential — advisors with CFP certification report stronger client trust and referral rates.

Cons

Building a book of business takes years of patient prospecting: The first three to five years of an advisor career involve intense new business development with modest income — a significant barrier that causes many to leave the industry.
Market volatility creates client anxiety management demands: Bear markets and market corrections generate difficult client conversations requiring calm, rational communication when emotions run high.
Compliance and regulatory burden: The regulatory framework governing investment advice — FINRA, SEC, state regulators — creates ongoing compliance obligations and supervision costs.
Fiduciary liability and professional risk: Advisors bear professional liability for investment recommendations — litigation from unsatisfied clients represents a career risk that requires professional insurance and documentation discipline.

🗺️ Financial Advisor / Financial Planner by State

See local salary data, licensing requirements, and schools in your state:

📍 Turnersville, NJ

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