Financial Advisor Pay

Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Romeoville, IL: $64,444 (2026)

Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Romeoville, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $64,444 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Romeoville's local price level (BEA RPP 97.13% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $66,369 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($111,111) within a few years of clinical practice.

$64,444
Starting Salary
$30.98/hr
Starting Hourly
$64,444
Entry Level
$111,111
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

Prospective financial advisors in Romeoville, IL, can realistically expect to begin their careers with an entry-level financial advisor salary of approximately $64,444 in 2026. This initial pay is notably lower than the city’s median salary of $111,111, emphasizing a significant gap that new graduates face as they start their professional journey. With a potential growth path throughout the first few years—from starting at $64,444 to potentially reaching $80,000 at the 25th percentile and eventually aiming for the median—early-career professionals should approach their earnings with strategic planning. Encouragingly, Romeoville's current market conditions appear favorable for new graduates, thanks to local job opportunities within the financial advisory landscape and a projected growth rate of 3.30% for the industry, providing a solid foundation for skill development and salary progression.

About the Romeoville Market

Salary estimated from Illinois average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Romeoville

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$64,444/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$80,000/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$111,111/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$142,221/yr

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

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Romeoville

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for financial advisors in Romeoville. The median salary is $111,111, compared to the national median of $108,537.$58.0K$88.7K$119.4K$150.1K$180.8K$64.4K10th Pctl$80.0K25th Pctl$111.1KMedian$142.2K75th Pctl$172.2K90th PctlUS Median$108.5K

Entry-level financial advisors in Romeoville, IL typically start between $64,444 and $80,000 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $107,778 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $111,1112.37% above the national median.

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

Return on Investment

$65,000
Avg IL Program Cost
$64,444
Starting Salary
100.86%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
1.0 yr
Payback Estimate

The average financial planning program cost in Illinois of $65,000 represents just 100.86% of the starting financial advisor pay ($64,444/year) in Romeoville. 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 Romeoville

  • 1Research the Romeoville market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $64,444 to $80,000, 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 Romeoville, 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 Romeoville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Romeoville'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 Romeoville is $107,778 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $64,444, experienced hygienists can earn up to $172,222.

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

2019 BLS Actual

$53,386

2025 BLS Actual

$62,385

2026 Current Est.

$64,444

2019–2027 Growth

+24.7%

Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Romeoville (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 Romeoville. Baseline $53,386 in 2025, projected to $66,570 by 2027.$50.7K$55.4K$60.0K$64.6K$69.2K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$53.4K$54.8K$59.1K$58.0K$60.6K$62.0K$62.4K$64.4K$66.6K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$53,386Actual
2020$54,815Actual
2021$59,128Actual
2022$58,047Actual
2023$60,570Actual
2024$61,991Actual
2025$62,385Actual
2026(current)$64,444Estimated
2027$66,570Projected

Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Romeoville, IL grew 16.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,386 in 2019 to $62,385 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $66,570. New graduates entering the Romeoville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

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

In Romeoville, several prominent employers actively recruit new financial advisors, including well-known insurance career agencies like Northwestern Mutual, Edward Jones, and MassMutual. These firms typically offer structured training programs that include a ramp-up phase, often coupled with commission bonuses, which can enhance starting compensation for new hires. Additionally, Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) are increasingly hiring associate advisors from the pool of CFP candidates, providing a path toward client relationship management and advisory roles. Obtaining credentials such as the Series 7 and Series 66 licenses significantly boosts a candidate's hiring potential and starting financial advisor salary in Romeoville. In an evolving industry landscape, the bifurcation of commission-based brokerage models and fee-only fiduciary approaches presents new advisors with varied compensation structures. While starting at an entry-level position may yield modest earnings, growth over the first three years can occur as professionals refine their skills, network within the industry, and potentially attain valuable designations like the CFP, which is highly regarded.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Entry-level financial advisors in Romeoville start at approximately $64,444/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 $30.98/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 Romeoville?

Most financial advisors in Romeoville progress from the entry-level salary of $64,444 to the area median of $111,111 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $172,222 (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 Romeoville?

With a starting salary of $64,444/year in Romeoville 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 Romeoville?

New financial planning graduates in Romeoville typically start near the 10th percentile at $64,444/year, or approximately $30.98/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 Illinois?

To become a licensed financial advisor in Illinois, 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 Illinois, 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 Illinois

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 Romeoville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Romeoville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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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