Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Greeley, CO: $64,480 (2026)
Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Greeley, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $64,480 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Greeley's local price level (BEA RPP 100.2 — 0% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $64,367 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($106,027) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the financial advisory field in Greeley, Colorado, can expect an entry-level financial advisor salary around $64,480 as they begin their careers in 2026. This figure represents a significant gap compared to the city’s median salary of $106,027, reflecting the common disparities between starting and experienced pay in the industry. Over the first three to five years, early-career advisors have a clear growth trajectory, with potential earnings reaching $72,300 as they gain experience and build their client base. Greeley remains a promising market for new graduates, particularly as the local demand for financial planning services rises amidst an increasingly competitive landscape, suggesting ample opportunities for those willing to invest in their development.
Career Earnings Timeline in Greeley
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Greeley
Entry-level financial advisors in Greeley, CO typically start between $64,480 and $72,300 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $103,548 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $106,027 — 2.31% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average financial planning program cost in Colorado of $58,000 represents just 89.95% of the starting financial advisor pay ($64,480/year) in Greeley. 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 Greeley
- 1Research the Greeley market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $64,480 to $72,300, 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 Greeley, 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 Greeley for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Greeley'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 Greeley is $103,548 ( 160.59%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $64,480, experienced hygienists can earn up to $168,028.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,416
2025 BLS Actual
$62,420
2026 Current Est.
$64,480
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Greeley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,416 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,846 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,162 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,480 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,608 | Projected |
Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Greeley, CO grew 16.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,416 in 2019 to $62,420 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $66,608. New graduates entering the Greeley job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greeley metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 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 Greeley
In Greeley, several employers actively recruit new financial advisors, with firms like Northwestern Mutual, Edward Jones, and MassMutual focusing on new talent through structured training programs and commission-based models. On the other hand, Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) offer promising career paths for candidates holding certifications like the CFP, while some banks seek graduates from MBA or CFA backgrounds for wealth management roles. Earning a bachelor’s degree opens doors, but obtaining licenses such as Series 7 and 66, along with a state insurance license, can significantly enhance starting pay in Colorado. As the industry bifurcates, recent graduates should prepare to adapt to the evolving landscape, where RIAs are trending toward fee-only structures and advisory roles at wirehouses are changing. With realistic salary growth anticipated in the early years, new advisors can expect gradual increases in their earnings as they build their networks and hone their skills in this dynamic field.
More salary data for Greeley, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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 Greeley. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-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