Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Sioux City, IA: $43,954 (2026)
Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Sioux City, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $43,954 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Sioux City's local price level (BEA RPP 86.5 — 14% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $50,841 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($101,441) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Entering the financial advisory field in Sioux City, Iowa, presents a promising opportunity for recent graduates. The projected entry-level financial advisor salary for 2026 is approximately $43,954, which can serve as a realistic starting point for new entrants in the industry. This amount is notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $101,441, illustrating a substantial gap that early-career advisors can aim to bridge in just a few years. As entry-level professionals gain experience and skills, they can expect their earnings to grow significantly, with numerous pathways to advance into higher earnings brackets, such as the 25th percentile at $62,156 and the median by the end of their first three to five years. Overall, Sioux City offers a viable job market for aspiring financial advisors, making it a strategic location for new graduates looking to establish their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Sioux City
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 Sioux City
Entry-level financial advisors in Sioux City, IA typically start between $43,954 and $62,156 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $558,915 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $101,441 — 6.54% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average financial planning program cost in Iowa of $42,000 represents just 95.55% of the starting financial advisor pay ($43,954/year) in Sioux City. 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 Sioux City
- 1Research the Sioux City market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $43,954 to $62,156, 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 Sioux City, 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 Sioux City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Sioux City'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 Sioux City is $558,915 ( 1271.59%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $43,954, experienced hygienists can earn up to $602,869.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$36,930
2025 BLS Actual
$42,550
2026 Current Est.
$43,954
2019–2027 Growth
+22.9%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Sioux City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,954 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,405 | Projected |
Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Sioux City, IA grew 15.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $36,930 in 2019 to $42,550 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $45,405. New graduates entering the Sioux City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux City 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 Sioux City
In Sioux City, several key employers actively seek to onboard new financial advisors. Agencies like Northwestern Mutual, Edward Jones, and MassMutual often hire early-career advisors, offering structured ramp-up programs combined with bonuses linked to commissions. Additionally, regional investment advisors (RIAs) typically recruit candidates from a pool of Certified Financial Planner (CFP) aspirants for associate roles, where a focus on client service is emphasized. To enhance starting financial advisor pay in IA, obtaining credentials such as the Series 7 and Series 66 licenses is crucial, along with possibly pursuing the CFP designation, which is recognized as the gold standard in financial planning. With the industry evolving towards a fee-based fiduciary model, particularly among RIAs, new advisors can expect to be compensated based on assets under management—often around 1% of client assets—compared to the commission-based environment prevalent in wirehouses. Realistic salary growth expectations in the first few years suggest that, as advisors build their client base and refine their skills, they may expect to exceed entry-level rates significantly.
More salary data for Sioux City, 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 Sioux City. 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