Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Lawrence, KS: $61,897 (2026)
Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Lawrence, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $61,897 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lawrence's local price level (BEA RPP 90.2 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $68,589 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($94,809) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the financial advisory field in Lawrence, Kansas, the expected starting financial advisor salary in 2026 is estimated to be around $61,897 annually. This figure stands in contrast to the city’s median salary for experienced financial advisors, which is projected at $94,809, highlighting a significant gap that entry-level positions face. For early-career professionals, salaries can climb through various growth milestones; estimates predict reaching $81,049 within the first few years, paving the way potentially to the city’s median salary as experience and client bases grow. Lawrence presents a viable market for fresh graduates, particularly given the city's competitive yet promising environment for new advisors, allowing them opportunities for hands-on experience and industry growth.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lawrence
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 Lawrence
Entry-level financial advisors in Lawrence, KS typically start between $61,897 and $81,049 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $143,608 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $94,809 — 12.65% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average financial planning program cost in Kansas of $38,000 represents just 61.39% of the starting financial advisor pay ($61,897/year) in Lawrence. 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 Lawrence
- 1Research the Lawrence market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $61,897 to $81,049, 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 KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Lawrence, 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 Lawrence for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lawrence'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 Lawrence is $143,608 ( 232.01%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $61,897, experienced hygienists can earn up to $205,505.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$21,010
2025 BLS Actual
$59,920
2026 Current Est.
$61,897
2019–2027 Growth
+204.3%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $22,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,177 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,897 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,940 | Projected |
Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Lawrence, KS grew 185.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $21,010 in 2019 to $59,920 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $63,940. New graduates entering the Lawrence job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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 Lawrence
In Lawrence, institutions such as Northwestern Mutual, Edward Jones, and MassMutual actively recruit new financial advisors and implement structured training programs that often include bonuses based on commissions. Conversely, wirehouses have restructured their recruiting strategies, favoring extensive training for new hires but tightening their onboarding processes. Registered investment advisors (RIAs) represent another opportunity, typically hiring associate advisors who are CFP candidates, providing them with a more client-focused service path. Credentials play a vital role, with a bachelor’s degree often serving as the entry point, while licensing through the Series 7 and Series 66 exams can significantly boost initial earning potential. Advising new entrants to concentrate on acquiring CFP certification could notably enhance both their credibility and income as the industry leans increasingly toward fiduciary fee models. Realistic expectations for salary growth within the first few years indicate that dedicated advisors may see their income rise beyond initial expectations with a proactive strategy in networking and client development.
More salary data for Lawrence, KS:
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 Lawrence. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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