What Do Certified Financial Planners Earn?

Individuals with the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation enjoy an above-average salary range as well as promising current and future job availability. The salary range for a certified financial planner should be viewed in a broad context including experience, length of time in the field, and geographic location.

As with many professional designations, the average income of those who have earned the CFP will vary. This overview article offers current national and regional average salaries for a certified financial planner.

Requirements for CFP Designation

To put the salary data into context, it's helpful to explore the minimum credentials for this profession. The CFP designation is achieved through an individual's education, work experience, and examination scores. This designation is governed by the CFP Board. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree, specialized financial planning coursework, and three years of experience are prerequisites to becoming a CFP.

After meeting the minimum criteria, the CFP candidate must take the CFP certification examination, which measures the applicant’s proficiency in financial planning scenarios and professional ethics.

Experience Affects CFP Salary

The national salaries of CFPs are largely impacted by an individual's level of experience. According to payscale.com, a crowd-sourced salary information provider, an entry-level CFP with one to four years of experience averages approximately $67,560 per year. At the other end of the spectrum, the late-career CFP with more than 20 years of experience garners an average income of $102,000.

The CFP is one of the fastest-growing and highly compensated fields, with employment opportunities expected to grow by 5% annually from 2020 to 2030. The primary driver of growth for CFP employment is the aging population. Large numbers of baby boomers are expected to approach retirement in the next decade, which will likely create a need for additional planning advice from financial advisors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that during the 2020 to 2030 time period, the field can expect to see 12,600 new workers.

The Bottom Line

When combining above-average salaries with high levels of job satisfaction and growing job availability, the certified financial planner is a standout career path for the financially-minded individual. The CFP Board website provides in-depth coverage of the certified financial planner designation and instructions regarding entry into the profession.