Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Wichita, KS: $53,158 (2026)
Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Wichita, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $53,158 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wichita's local price level (BEA RPP 88.9 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $59,764 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($83,880) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wichita, Kansas, the starting financial advisor salary for entry-level positions is projected to begin at $53,158 in 2026. New graduates aiming to enter the field need to realistically assess this starting point in relation to the city's median annual salary of $83,880, which highlights a significant gap of $30,722. Aspiring financial advisors should also anticipate growth opportunities as they gain experience, with salaries potentially rising to $64,294 within the first few years as they sharpen their skills and build their client base. Given the projected annual growth rate of 3.30% in this profession and the favorable cost of living index in Wichita, it remains a promising market for recent graduates entering the financial advisory space.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wichita
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 Wichita
Entry-level financial advisors in Wichita, KS typically start between $53,158 and $64,294 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $222,013 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $83,880 — 22.72% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average financial planning program cost in Kansas of $38,000 represents just 71.49% of the starting financial advisor pay ($53,158/year) in Wichita. 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 Wichita
- 1Research the Wichita market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $53,158 to $64,294, 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 Wichita, 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 Wichita for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wichita'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 Wichita is $222,013 ( 417.65%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $53,158, experienced hygienists can earn up to $275,171.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,037
2025 BLS Actual
$51,460
2026 Current Est.
$53,158
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Wichita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,037 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,963 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,460 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,158 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,912 | Projected |
Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Wichita, KS grew 16.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $44,037 in 2019 to $51,460 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $54,912. New graduates entering the Wichita job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita 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 Wichita
When considering employment opportunities in Wichita, several key players actively recruit new grads in the financial advisory sector. Notable firms such as Northwestern Mutual, Edward Jones, and MassMutual often create structured ramp-up programs designed to support entry-level advisors through initial commissions and bonuses. Additionally, registered investment advisers (RIAs) are increasingly hiring candidates from the CFP candidate pool, emphasizing a client-service path that can lead to further career development. To enhance earning potential, new advisors should pursue relevant credentials, including Series 7 and Series 66 licensure as prerequisites, and consider obtaining the CFP designation for long-term growth. Strategies for the first few years in this field should align with the ongoing transition from a commission-based model toward a fiduciary approach in RIAs, which often offers AUM-based compensation, further illustrating the evolving landscape of financial advisory roles in Wichita.
More salary data for Wichita, 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 Wichita. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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