Business & Banking
Financial Advisor
Help individuals invest, plan retirement, and grow wealth. Commission-based; top advisors earn $250k+.
high-payself-employmenthigh-growth
68
ROI · Strong
Investment vs return
Cost · time · demand normalized 0–100
Salary progression
What you'll earn over your career
$55k
$95k
$175k
Entry
Mid-career
Senior
10-yr outlook
+13%
+13% (Much faster than avg)
Open positions
24,000
Estimated nationwide
Entry paths
How to get here
Multiple paths lead to this career. Compare time, cost, online vs in-person delivery, and program links.
Fastest ROI
Certification Online
Series 7 + 66 + CFP
Time
6–18 months
Cost
$2,500 – $8,000
Top programs
Sponsoring firm pays for Series exams.
Degree Hybrid
BS Finance + certifications
Time
4 years
Cost
$40,000 – $130,000
Top programs
Degree opens corporate / RIA paths.
Affiliate disclosure: Some of the program links above may be affiliate partnerships. If you enroll, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only link to programs we have actually reviewed against our methodology. See our methodology for how we evaluate schools.
Quick math
If you took the fastest path…
You'd train for
6–18 months
You'd spend (avg)
$5,250
Starting salary
$55,000
Mid-career
$95,000
Read more
Articles & resources
Sources: BLS OOH 2024 · CFP Board