Financial Advisor Pay

Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Jacksonville, FL: $61,040 (2026)

Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Jacksonville, FL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $61,040 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Jacksonville's local price level (BEA RPP 99.51% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $61,357 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($104,829) within a few years of clinical practice.

$61,040
Starting Salary
$29.35/hr
Starting Hourly
$61,040
Entry Level
$104,829
Career Median Target

Official BLS data · View source

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

In 2026, new graduates entering the field of financial advising in Jacksonville, Florida, can expect a starting financial advisor salary Jacksonville of around $61,040. This figure represents the lower end of the salary range for entry-level positions and is a significant gap compared to the city’s median annual salary of $104,829. However, fresh graduates should be optimistic as there is potential for growth in their early career, with earnings likely to improve to about $78,136 after gaining experience within the first few years. Considering the projected annual growth rate of 3.30%, Jacksonville presents a favorable market for new financial advisors eager to establish their careers and transition from entry-level salaries toward more competitive pay.

Career Earnings Timeline in Jacksonville

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$61,040/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$78,136/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$104,829/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$175,600/yr

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

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jacksonville

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for financial advisors in Jacksonville. The median salary is $104,829, compared to the national median of $108,537.$54.9K$142.1K$229.3K$316.5K$403.7K$61.0K10th Pctl$78.1K25th Pctl$104.8KMedian$175.6K75th Pctl$384.5K90th PctlUS Median$108.5K

Entry-level financial advisors in Jacksonville, FL typically start between $61,040 and $78,136 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $323,422 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $104,8293.42% below the national median.

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

Return on Investment

$40,000
Avg FL Program Cost
$61,040
Starting Salary
65.53%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average financial planning program cost in Florida of $40,000 represents just 65.53% of the starting financial advisor pay ($61,040/year) in Jacksonville. 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 Jacksonville

  • 1Research the Jacksonville market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $61,040 to $78,136, 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 FL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Jacksonville'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 Jacksonville is $323,422 ( 529.85%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $61,040, experienced hygienists can earn up to $384,462.

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

2019 BLS Actual

$40,710

2025 BLS Actual

$59,090

2026 Current Est.

$61,040

2019–2027 Growth

+54.9%

Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Jacksonville (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 Jacksonville. Baseline $40,710 in 2025, projected to $63,054 by 2027.$32.4K$41.4K$50.3K$59.2K$68.2K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$40.7K$37.5K$39.2K$38.4K$59.8K$56.9K$59.1K$61.0K$63.1K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$40,710Actual
2020$37,550Actual
2021$39,160Actual
2022$38,400Actual
2023$59,780Actual
2024$56,930Actual
2025$59,090Actual
2026(current)$61,040Estimated
2027$63,054Projected

Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Jacksonville, FL grew 45.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $40,710 in 2019 to $59,090 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $63,054. New graduates entering the Jacksonville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville

Employers in Jacksonville actively recruit new financial advisors, primarily through insurance firms like Northwestern Mutual and Edward Jones, which offer structured ramp-up programs and bonus incentives. Additionally, registered investment advisors (RIAs) and wirehouses often seek candidates who have completed the Series 7 and Series 66 exams for securities licensing, and some consider those pursuing the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) credential as particularly appealing. To enhance starting financial advisor pay in FL, credentials such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and licenses for life and health insurance can be beneficial. Aspiring advisors should strategically position themselves to thrive in this bifurcated industry, gravitating towards firms that prioritize fiduciary practices, as RIAs continue to expand while traditional wirehouses adopt a more employee-centric model. Realistically, new financial advisors should expect steady salary growth of approximately 10-15% during their first three years, aligning with industry trends and the demand for fiduciary-based advisory services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for financial advisors in Jacksonville in 2026?

Entry-level financial advisors in Jacksonville start at approximately $61,040/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 $29.35/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 Jacksonville?

Most financial advisors in Jacksonville progress from the entry-level salary of $61,040 to the area median of $104,829 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $384,462 (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 Jacksonville?

With a starting salary of $61,040/year in Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville?

New financial planning graduates in Jacksonville typically start near the 10th percentile at $61,040/year, or approximately $29.35/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 Florida?

To become a licensed financial advisor in Florida, 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 Florida, 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

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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 Jacksonville. 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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