How to Become a Personal Financial Advisor
Help individuals plan investments, retirement, taxes, and insurance so their money supports the life they want. It typically requires a bachelor's degree, with a median salary of $105,070 per year and much faster than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$105,070/yr
Job growth
7%
Openings / yr
24,100
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Financial Planning
- Investment Strategy
- Client Relationships
- Active Listening
- Communication
Helpful certifications
- CFP (Certified Financial Planner)
- Series 7 and 66
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
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Work-life balance
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Stress level
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Satisfaction
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Related careers
- Financial Manager$166,570 median
- Actuary$130,000 median
- Financial Analyst$102,740 median
- Management Consultant$101,860 median
- Financial Examiner$94,160 median
- Budget Analyst$91,640 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Personal Financial Advisor make?
The median pay for a Personal Financial Advisor is $105,070 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). Actual pay varies with experience, location, and employer.
What degree do you need to become a Personal Financial Advisor?
The usual entry point is a bachelor's degree. Common majors are Finance, Economics, Business Administration, and Accounting.
Is Personal Financial Advisor a growing field?
The BLS projects much faster than average demand for this role, about 7% over the decade, with roughly 24,100 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Personal Financial Advisor use most?
Common skills for this role are Financial Planning, Investment Strategy, Client Relationships, Active Listening, and Communication.
Planning to become a Personal Financial Advisor?
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Take the major quizSalary and job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034). National figures; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.