Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Davenport, IA: $63,808 (2026)
Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Davenport, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $63,808 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Davenport's local price level (BEA RPP 89.1 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $71,631 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($128,650) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Graduates entering the financial advisory field in Davenport, IA, can expect to start their careers with a salary around $63,808, according to projections for 2026. While this figure may seem low compared to the median annual salary of $128,650 in the area, it's essential for newcomers to consider the growth potential within the profession. Entry-level employees often realize significant salary increases in their early years, moving from the starting range to the 25th percentile at $75,264 within a few years on the job. Given Davenport’s demand for financial advisory services and the favorable hiring environment, particularly with the shift towards fee-only fiduciary models, it's an opportune moment for new graduates to embark on their careers in finance.
Career Earnings Timeline in Davenport
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 Davenport
Entry-level financial advisors in Davenport, IA typically start between $63,808 and $75,264 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $427,456 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $128,650 — 18.53% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average financial planning program cost in Iowa of $42,000 represents just 65.82% of the starting financial advisor pay ($63,808/year) in Davenport. 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 Davenport
- 1Research the Davenport market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $63,808 to $75,264, 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 IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Davenport, 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 Davenport for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Davenport'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 Davenport is $427,456 ( 669.91%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $63,808, experienced hygienists can earn up to $491,264.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$35,080
2025 BLS Actual
$61,770
2026 Current Est.
$63,808
2019–2027 Growth
+87.9%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Davenport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,330 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,808 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,914 | Projected |
Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Davenport, IA grew 76.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $35,080 in 2019 to $61,770 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $65,914. New graduates entering the Davenport job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davenport 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 Davenport
In Davenport, a variety of firms actively recruit new grads for financial advisory roles. Insurance agencies such as Northwestern Mutual and Edward Jones frequently employ individuals entering the profession, offering structured training alongside commission-based incentives. Additionally, Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) are increasingly hiring entry-level associate advisors, particularly those with ambitions to obtain their Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. To enhance their starting financial advisor pay in IA, new professionals are encouraged to obtain vital credentials like the Series 7 and Series 66 licenses and consider pursuing advanced qualifications such as CFP or CFA. With projections indicating a favorable job market and a solid growth trajectory, those entering the industry can anticipate realistic salary increases in their first three years as they build their client base and adapt to the evolving compensation structures in a bifurcated industry.
More salary data for Davenport, IA:
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 Davenport. 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