Salary & Stats
Financial planners are in high demand. In today's economy, people are increasingly partnering with financial planners to ensure a confident financial future.
By achieving the CFP® certification, you can propel your career to the next level by better serving your clients and unlocking additional earning potential.
Earn more with CFP® certification
A career in financial planning is an investment that will impact your income for years to come.
CFP® professionals could earn even more.1
The median income for a financial planner with 5 to 10 years of experience.1
The median income for a financial planner with 10-20 years of experience.1
The median income for a financial planner with over 20 years of experience.1
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Salary Calculator
Check out our salary calculator to see what you can earn as a CFP® professional.
Start your journey as a CFP® Professional
Join the ranks of more than 100,000 CFP® professionals who are enjoying the rewards that come with getting certified. Create your free account to access valuable resources and track you progress.
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How are financial planners compensated?
Two of the compensation methods for financial planners are salaries and payouts.
- Some companies compensate their financial planners as salaried employees.
- Other companies compensate their financial planners based on a percentage of the revenue they generate. This payout method rewards productivity and business development success.
- For new advisors, most companies offer some period of time where compensation is guaranteed through salaries.2
CFP® CERTIFICATION SETS YOU APART
Anyone can call themselves a financial advisor. Only those who have met CFP Board's high standards for certification can call themselves a CFP® professional.
FINANCIAL ADVISOR WITHOUT CERTIFICATION | CFP® PROFESSIONAL |
---|---|
Anyone can call themselves a financial advisor | Meets requirements established by CFP Board |
May not have committed to act as a fiduciary | Committed to CFP Board to fiduciary duty to act in clients’ best interests |
72% client satisfaction | 87% client satisfaction |
Lower compensation on average | Earns 12% more than other financial planners ¹ |
Sources
- CFP Board, 2023 Compensation Study Highlights
- CFP Board, Guide to Careers in Financial Planning
- U.S. News & World Report, “What is a financial advisor?”
Start your journey to CFP® Certification
- Track your progress with the CFP® Certification Tracker
- Post your resume at the Career Center
- Connect with a mentor who can guide you
- Register and prepare for the exam
- Find career and financial support
- Connect with other candidates at our online forum