Salary for Certification: Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

What is the Salary of a Financial Planner?

Financial planning salaries can range from less than $20,000 to well over $200,000 annually. Why the huge difference in salary? Factors such as experience level, employer type, location and certification can all have a big impact on the salary of a financial planner. To become a certified financial planner, required education and training must be completed along with an examination. To pass the test, financial planners must show that they have extensive knowledge or financial planning including risk management, taxes and retirement planning, estate planning and more. Certified financial planners must also follow a strict code of ethics. While earning a CFP credential is not required for some positions, the certification may lead to greater career opportunities and could boost salary potential.

According to PayScale’s financial planner salary data, earning potential for this field is relatively high, but it might take a few years to earn top salaries for certain jobs. Comparing median Certified Financial Planner Salaries by Experience shows that salaries can increase dramatically after 10 and 20 years of experience. To get an idea of how CFP salaries compare with different employers, take a look at the chart showing median Financial Planning Salaries by Employer. If you’re applying for jobs at any of the companies listed, be sure to do more research into salaries for your specific position so that you’re prepared to successfully negotiate salary offers.