How Much Could You Earn as a Financial Planner?

If you’re thinking about a career as a financial planner, you’re probably wondering what your salary might be. You know that financial planning is rewarding work that enables you to make a difference in your clients’ lives, but you need to pay your bills!

CFP Board conducted research last year to determine the average annual compensation of financial planners and found that advisors could earn anywhere from $100,000 - $250,000, depending on their level of experience:

The research also found that CFP^® professionals earn, on average, 12% more than financial planners who have not earned certification. CFP^® certification is the standard for financial planning and signals expertise to employers, colleagues and clients.

In addition, the demand for personal financial advisors is growing; the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the job market to grow 13% through 2032. At the same time, many current financial planners are reaching the end of their careers and planning on retiring, leaving positions open for new advisors. Pursuing financial planning and CFP^® certification is a solid investment in your future.

If you want to get a sense of what your salary potential could be, based on your location, your education and your experience, play around with the Salary Calculator on CFP Board’s website. Powered by data from the compensation study, the calculator helps you understand what you could earn – and what you should be asking for when you pursue a new position!

Plus, explore the other findings from the compensation study to learn about typical CFP^® professionals’ employee benefits, job satisfaction and business structures.