Question 1

How much does a Financial Advisor make?

Accepted Answer

The national median salary for a Financial Advisor is $105,070, with a typical range from $50,190 (entry level, 10th percentile) to $357,020 (top earners, 90th percentile). Actual pay varies by city, industry, employer size, and experience.

Question 2

What is the entry-level salary for a Financial Advisor?

Accepted Answer

Entry-level Financial Advisor positions typically pay around $50,190 to $81,955, depending on metro, industry, and degree. New graduates can expect the lower end of this range; those with relevant internships or in-demand specializations often start higher.

Question 3

How much does a senior Financial Advisor earn?

Accepted Answer

Senior Financial Advisor professionals earn approximately $141,845 on average, with top performers and those at large employers exceeding $357,020. Senior pay is driven by scope, leadership, technical depth, and employer choice.

Question 4

Which cities pay the most for a Financial Advisor?

Accepted Answer

Financial Advisor pay is highest in major metros — typically San Francisco, New York, Seattle, Boston, Toronto, and Vancouver. After adjusting for cost of living, however, mid-tier metros often deliver higher purchasing power. Use the SalaryScope city tools to compare apples-to-apples.

Question 5

What education is required to become a Financial Advisor?

Accepted Answer

The typical education path for a Financial Advisor is Bachelor's degree. Relevant certifications, portfolios, and demonstrated skills can sometimes substitute for traditional credentials, especially in technical and trades roles.

Question 6

Is Financial Advisor a growing career?

Accepted Answer

The 10-year employment outlook for Financial Advisor is rated Faster than average. SalaryScope combines federal projections with industry, automation-risk, and demand signals to produce a more precise Workforce Opportunity Score for this role.

Question 7

How can I increase my pay as a Financial Advisor?

Accepted Answer

The highest-leverage ways to increase your Financial Advisor pay are: (1) developing in-demand specializations that command a premium, (2) earning ROI-positive certifications, (3) switching employers strategically every 3-5 years, (4) negotiating every offer and review, and (5) considering geographic moves to higher-pay or lower-cost metros.

Question 8

What is the total compensation for a Financial Advisor?

Accepted Answer

Total compensation for a Financial Advisor includes base salary ($105,070 at median), an annual bonus (typically 5-25% of base), and at many employers equity (RSUs or options). Total comp can range from 1.05x to 1.5x of base depending on industry, level, and employer.

Percentile	What it means	Salary
10th percentile	1 in 10 earn less than this	$50,190
25th percentile	1 in 4 earn less than this	$72,440
Median	Half earn more, half earn less	$105,070
75th percentile	1 in 4 earn more than this	$176,790
90th percentile	1 in 10 earn more than this	$357,020

City	COL	Median	p90
New York, NY	187	$170,050	$420,630
Los Angeles, CA	176	$124,490	$285,090
Chicago, IL	107	$113,210	$322,440
Houston, TX	96	$98,930	$323,990
Phoenix, AZ	104	$103,680	$216,280
Philadelphia, PA	101	$116,560	$392,260
San Antonio, TX	90	$101,430	$314,400
San Diego, CA	160	$130,330	$405,540
Dallas, TX	103	$105,070	$357,020
San Jose, CA	202	$136,820	$482,130
Austin, TX	119	$95,990	$410,600
Jacksonville, FL	93	$101,480	$372,180

Education level	Estimated salary	vs Bachelor's
High School	$74,000	-30%
Associate Degree	$86,000	-18%
Bachelor's Degree	$105,000	—
Master's Degree	$131,000	25%
Doctorate / Professional	$163,000	55%
Professional Certifications	$118,000	12%

Financial Advisor — Career & Salary Intelligence

Career overview

What the job pays nationally

Salary by location

Salary by education

10-year career growth forecast

Certifications that increase earnings

Career Opportunity Score breakdown

Frequently asked questions about Financial Advisor