How much does a personal financial advisor make?
The median personal financial advisor in the United States earns $102,140 per year, about $49.11 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all personal financial advisors earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 13-2052.
Personal financial advisor salary range
Pay for personal financial advisors spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $49,990 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $239,200+. The average (mean) wage of $160,210 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49,990 | $24.03 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $70,620 | $33.95 | |
| Median (50th) | $102,140 | $49.11 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $172,540 | $82.95 | |
| 90th percentile | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for personal financial advisors (SOC 13-2052), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Personal financial advisor salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Personal financial advisors earn the most in New York at $167,970 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $65,150. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $167,970 | 28,820 |
| Idaho | $136,440 | 930 |
| California | $128,650 | 34,070 |
| Delaware | $128,170 | 600 |
| New Jersey | $123,690 | 6,830 |
| South Dakota | $123,380 | 500 |
| Maryland | $122,510 | 5,560 |
| Wisconsin | $115,680 | 5,240 |
| Washington | $112,020 | 6,510 |
| Connecticut | $107,030 | 3,990 |
| Illinois | $104,310 | 10,410 |
| Pennsylvania | $103,290 | 12,370 |
| Indiana | $101,670 | 5,370 |
| Massachusetts | $101,320 | 7,410 |
| Rhode Island | $100,880 | 1,290 |
| District of Columbia | $100,840 | 650 |
| Kansas | $100,810 | 3,130 |
| Virginia | $99,990 | 5,560 |
| North Dakota | $98,990 | 480 |
| South Carolina | $98,900 | 2,070 |
| Michigan | $98,830 | 6,030 |
| Georgia | $98,490 | 7,540 |
| Montana | $96,670 | 480 |
| Minnesota | $94,420 | 6,360 |
| Tennessee | $89,390 | 4,350 |
| Florida | $88,040 | 21,230 |
| Colorado | $85,580 | 5,930 |
| Arizona | $85,150 | 7,190 |
| Missouri | $84,040 | 4,860 |
| New Hampshire | $82,530 | 1,710 |
| Texas | $82,180 | 17,570 |
| Ohio | $82,100 | 10,210 |
| Nevada | $81,940 | 1,430 |
| Iowa | $81,790 | 2,400 |
| Vermont | $81,360 | 480 |
| Oregon | $80,190 | 2,120 |
| Alabama | $79,600 | 2,320 |
| Kentucky | $79,100 | 1,870 |
| Louisiana | $78,150 | 1,280 |
| West Virginia | $77,790 | 730 |
| New Mexico | $77,710 | 570 |
| Hawaii | $75,680 | 610 |
| Arkansas | $75,150 | 1,250 |
| Nebraska | $74,040 | 1,670 |
| Oklahoma | $73,020 | 1,340 |
| Utah | $67,210 | 2,620 |
| Mississippi | $65,150 | 870 |
State median wages for personal financial advisors (SOC 13-2052), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for personal financial advisors
The BLS projects employment of personal financial advisors to grow 1.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 299,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 303,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 17,100 openings a year for personal financial advisors. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a personal financial advisor
The typical entry-level education for personal financial advisors is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a personal financial advisor earns
Firm size, industry, certifications, and years of experience drive the spread. Large firms and major financial centers pay well above small-town or entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New York, $167,970) and the lowest (Mississippi, $65,150) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 270,480 people work as personal financial advisors in the United States. At $102,140 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Personal financial advisor salary FAQ
How much does a personal financial advisor make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a personal financial advisor is $49.11. The middle half of personal financial advisors earn between $33.95 and $82.95 per hour.
What is the highest personal financial advisor salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of personal financial advisors earn more than $239,200+ per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a personal financial advisor make a year?
The median annual salary for a personal financial advisor is $102,140. The average (mean) wage of $160,210 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a personal financial advisor a well paid job?
At $102,140 a year, a personal financial advisor earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 270,480 people work as personal financial advisors in the United States.
Which state pays personal financial advisors the most?
New York has the highest median salary for personal financial advisors at $167,970 a year. Idaho ($136,440) and California ($128,650) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a personal financial advisor a good career?
Employment of personal financial advisors is projected to grow 1.4% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 17,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a personal financial advisor?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for personal financial advisors as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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