Financial Advisor: Career Overview

Official government data · Updated April 2026

Financial Advisors earn a national median of $102,140/yr with 9.6% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Customer and Personal Service, Economics and Accounting, English Language.

Median Salary

$102,140

National · 2024

10-Year Growth

9.6%

Faster than average

Employed Nationally

270,480

2024 data

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree

Entry-level

What Employers Expect From a Financial Advisor

These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Financial Advisor candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:

1 Reading Comprehension 2 Active Listening 3 Speaking 4 Writing 5 Critical Thinking 6 Mathematics 7 Social Perceptiveness 8 Service Orientation 9 Complex Problem Solving 10 Judgment and Decision Making

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge domains most important for Financial Advisor performance, based on verified occupational data.

Customer and Personal Service Economics and Accounting English Language Mathematics Psychology

Tools & Technologies

High-demand tools and technologies for Financial Advisor roles.

Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Access Microsoft Dynamics Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Project Microsoft SQL Server Microsoft Visual Basic Microsoft Word

Job Outlook: 2024–2034

Employment is projected to grow 9.6% for Financial Advisor roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's faster than average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.

Current Employment
270,480
Projected Growth
9.6%
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Financial Advisor do?
Financial Advisors apply expertise in Customer and Personal Service, Economics and Accounting, English Language to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Writing.
How much does a Financial Advisor make?
The national median salary for a Financial Advisor is $102,140 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
Is Financial Advisor a good career in 2026?
Employment for Financial Advisor roles is projected to grow 9.6% over the 2024–2034 decade — faster than average compared to all occupations. There are currently 270,480 workers in this occupation nationally.
What education do you need to become a Financial Advisor?
The typical entry-level education for a Financial Advisor is Bachelor's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
What skills do Financial Advisors need?
The most important skills for Financial Advisor roles based on verified occupational data: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Writing, Critical Thinking, Mathematics, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making. Key tools and technologies include: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Dynamics.

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Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.