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 99.5 — 1% 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.
Official BLS data · View source

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
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 Jacksonville
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 $104,829 — 3.42% below the national median.
Return on Investment
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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,040 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,054 | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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 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.
More salary data for Jacksonville, FL:
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 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