Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Raleigh, NC: $51,402 (2026)
Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Raleigh, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $51,402 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Raleigh's local price level (BEA RPP 98.2 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $52,367 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($108,238) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, graduates entering the financial advisor profession in Raleigh, North Carolina, can expect a starting financial advisor salary of approximately $51,402. This entry-level pay reflects a considerable gap when compared to the median annual salary of $108,238 for financial advisors in the city. New graduates have a growth trajectory ahead of them, with potential salaries climbing from the entry-level position to around $76,928 within their first few years, and potentially reaching the city median as they gain experience. Given Raleigh's favorable job market and a projected growth rate of 3.30%, this city presents an attractive opportunity for those launching their careers in financial advising.
Career Earnings Timeline in Raleigh
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 Raleigh
Entry-level financial advisors in Raleigh, NC typically start between $51,402 and $76,928 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $525,270 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $108,238 — 0.28% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average financial planning program cost in North Carolina of $42,000 represents just 81.71% of the starting financial advisor pay ($51,402/year) in Raleigh. 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 Raleigh
- 1Research the Raleigh market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $51,402 to $76,928, 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 NC often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Raleigh, 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 Raleigh for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Raleigh'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 Raleigh is $525,270 ( 1021.89%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $51,402, experienced hygienists can earn up to $576,672.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,330
2025 BLS Actual
$49,760
2026 Current Est.
$51,402
2019–2027 Growth
+12.2%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,402 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,098 | Projected |
Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Raleigh, NC grew 5.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $47,330 in 2019 to $49,760 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $53,098. New graduates entering the Raleigh job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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 Raleigh
Many employers in Raleigh actively seek out new graduates for financial advisor roles, particularly well-known insurance agencies like Northwestern Mutual and Edward Jones, which often structured ramp-up programs and bonuses to help with early earnings. Additionally, wirehouses have traditionally hired through training programs, although these practices are changing. For those interested in working with Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs), there is a growing demand for associate advisors, particularly among candidates with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. To enhance their starting salaries, new graduates should consider obtaining credentials such as the Series 7 and Series 66 licenses, in addition to seeking the CFP designation for its strong reputation in the field. In this evolving industry, understanding the bifurcation between commission-based models and fee-only advising through RIAs will be vital for shaping one's career path and anticipating realistic salary growth during the first few years in the profession.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
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 Raleigh. 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