Financial Advisor Pay

Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Colorado Springs, CO: $60,596 (2026)

Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Colorado Springs, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $60,596 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Colorado Springs's local price level (BEA RPP 100.71% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $60,171 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($74,820) within a few years of clinical practice.

$60,596
Starting Salary
$29.13/hr
Starting Hourly
$60,596
Entry Level
$74,820
Career Median Target

Official BLS data · View source

Financial Advisor Entry Level Salary in Colorado Springs, CO — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Colorado Springs, CO financial advisor entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, new graduates seeking entry-level financial advisory positions in Colorado Springs can expect a starting salary around $60,596. This figure represents the 10th percentile of the salary range, highlighting a significant gap when compared to the city's median annual salary of $74,820. However, as early career professionals gain experience and build their client bases, they can anticipate progressive salary growth. New advisors might see salaries rise to $64,232 within a few years, eventually reaching the median as they develop their skills and reputation in the field. Colorado Springs currently presents an attractive job market for new graduates, offering potential for both professional growth and financial stability in the realm of financial advising.

Career Earnings Timeline in Colorado Springs

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$60,596/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$64,232/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$74,820/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$106,027/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Colorado Springs

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for financial advisors in Colorado Springs. The median salary is $74,820, compared to the national median of $108,537.$54.5K$69.4K$84.3K$99.1K$114.0K$60.6K10th Pctl$64.2K25th Pctl$74.8KMedian$106.0K75th Pctl$106.0K90th PctlUS Median$108.5K

Entry-level financial advisors in Colorado Springs, CO typically start between $60,596 and $64,232 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $45,431 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $74,82031.06% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of financial advisor pay in the Colorado Springs metro area.

Return on Investment

$58,000
Avg CO Program Cost
$60,596
Starting Salary
95.72%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average financial planning program cost in Colorado of $58,000 represents just 95.72% of the starting financial advisor pay ($60,596/year) in Colorado Springs. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.

Program cost estimates cover bachelor's degree tuition plus licensing exam fees (Series 7, 63/66) and optional CFP certification program costs. Continuing education is required for license maintenance.

CFP, FA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Colorado Springs

  • 1Research the Colorado Springs market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $60,596 to $64,232, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
  • 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the financial planning field — employers in CO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Colorado Springs, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
  • 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Colorado Springs for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Colorado Springs's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.

Financial Advisor Compensation Range

The financial advisor wage spread in Colorado Springs is $45,431 ( 74.97%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $60,596, experienced hygienists can earn up to $106,027.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$37,800

2025 BLS Actual

$58,660

2026 Current Est.

$60,596

2019–2027 Growth

+65.6%

Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Colorado Springs (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for financial advisors in Colorado Springs. Baseline $37,800 in 2025, projected to $62,595 by 2027.$31.3K$40.4K$49.5K$58.7K$67.8K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$37.8K$36.5K$48.1K$46.5K$46.0K$56.7K$58.7K$60.6K$62.6K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$37,800Actual
2020$36,500Actual
2021$48,060Actual
2022$46,490Actual
2023$45,980Actual
2024$56,730Actual
2025$58,660Actual
2026(current)$60,596Estimated
2027$62,595Projected

Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Colorado Springs, CO grew 55.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $37,800 in 2019 to $58,660 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $62,595. New graduates entering the Colorado Springs job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado Springs metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.30% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.

Starting Your financial planning Career in Colorado Springs

Multiple employers in Colorado Springs actively recruit entry-level financial advisors, with firms like Northwestern Mutual, Edward Jones, and MassMutual leading the charge. These organizations typically provide structured training programs along with bonus opportunities that can enhance initial earnings. Additionally, registered investment advisers (RIAs) are increasingly seeking candidates from the certified financial planner (CFP) pipeline, offering well-defined career paths in client services. For those aiming to maximize starting pay, earning a bachelor's degree, obtaining securities licenses (such as Series 7 and 66), and pursuing certifications like CFP can make candidates more marketable. As the industry shifts towards fee-based fiduciary models, there is a growing emphasis on certifications and ongoing education to navigate this new landscape. Realistically, entry-level advisors might expect modest salary increases as they gain experience, aligning closer to the median salaries available in the Colorado Springs market.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for financial advisors in Colorado Springs in 2026?

Entry-level financial advisors in Colorado Springs start at approximately $60,596/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.30% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $29.13/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do financial advisor salaries grow in Colorado Springs?

Most financial advisors in Colorado Springs progress from the entry-level salary of $60,596 to the area median of $74,820 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $106,027 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is financial planning school worth it in Colorado Springs?

With a starting salary of $60,596/year in Colorado Springs and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new financial advisors recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new financial advisors make right out of school in Colorado Springs?

New financial planning graduates in Colorado Springs typically start near the 10th percentile at $60,596/year, or approximately $29.13/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a financial advisor in Colorado?

To become a licensed financial advisor in Colorado, you typically need bachelor's degree typically required (finance, economics, accounting, or business). career credentials: series 7 + series 65 or 66 (finra exams) for licensed advisors; cfp (certified financial planner) for fee-based planning; cfa (chartered financial analyst) for investment-focused work; chfc for insurance-focused. most paths require 2-3 years of supervised experience plus exam pass., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Colorado, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some financial advisors pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Colorado

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, CFP

Career Analyst

Jordan has over 10 years of experience in financial planning. They specialize in retirement planning for individuals. They work at a financial services firm in New York City.

Clinically reviewed by Sophia Martinez, CFAData verified by Ethan Wang, ChFC

Methodology & Data Source

Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new financial planning graduates. A 3.30% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Colorado Springs. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.

2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.30%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for financial advisors (SOC 13-2052).

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CFP, a licensed financial advisor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov

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