Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Peoria, IL: $64,759 (2026)
Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Peoria, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $64,759 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Peoria's local price level (BEA RPP 91.2 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $70,984 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($112,525) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the financial advisory field in Peoria, IL, the starting financial advisor salary is projected at $64,759 in 2026. This figure is a substantial consideration against the median annual salary for financial advisors in the area, which stands at $112,525, highlighting a notable gap for entry-level positions. Over the first few years, new advisors can expect steady growth in their earnings, progressing from entry-level pay toward the 25th percentile mark of $76,959 as they accumulate experience and develop their client base. With a projected growth rate of 3.30%, Peoria offers a favorable environment for new financial advisors; the potential for salary advancement, paired with a cost of living index below the national average, makes it an attractive market for recent graduates entering this profession.
Career Earnings Timeline in Peoria
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 Peoria
Entry-level financial advisors in Peoria, IL typically start between $64,759 and $76,959 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $240,792 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $112,525 — 3.67% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average financial planning program cost in Illinois of $65,000 represents just 100.37% of the starting financial advisor pay ($64,759/year) in Peoria. 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 Peoria
- 1Research the Peoria market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $64,759 to $76,959, 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 IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Peoria, 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 Peoria for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Peoria's below-average 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 Peoria is $240,792 ( 371.83%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $64,759, experienced hygienists can earn up to $305,551.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,140
2025 BLS Actual
$62,690
2026 Current Est.
$64,759
2019–2027 Growth
+19.2%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Peoria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,759 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,896 | Projected |
Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Peoria, IL grew 11.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $56,140 in 2019 to $62,690 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $66,896. New graduates entering the Peoria job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Peoria 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 Peoria
In Peoria, several key employers actively recruit new graduates for their financial advisory roles, including well-established firms like Northwestern Mutual, Edward Jones, and MassMutual. These companies typically offer structured training programs with ramp-up periods and bonuses tied to commission structures. Conversely, wirehouses have scaled back traditional training programs, focusing more on onboarding employees within a support framework. Alternatively, registered investment advisors (RIAs) tend to hire associate advisors from a pool of candidates who are pursuing CFP certification, emphasizing a client-service path that promotes fiduciary responsibilities. To increase starting pay in Illinois, obtaining specific credentials such as a Bachelor’s degree, Series 7 and Series 66 licenses, and potentially the CFP designation can be vital. The financial advisory sector is shifting toward a fee-only model, emphasizing AUM-based compensation, while wirehouses are adapting to the evolving landscape by employing newer compensation structures. Realistic salary growth expectations within the first few years in this evolving market often hinge on performance, network growth, and advancing industry qualifications.
More salary data for Peoria, IL:
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 Peoria. 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