Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Akron, OH: $54,625 (2026)
Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Akron, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $54,625 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Akron's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $58,504 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($99,736) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Those entering the financial advising field in Akron, Ohio, can expect a starting financial advisor salary around $54,625 in 2026. This figure is significantly lower than the median annual salary of $99,736 for financial advisors in the city, revealing a notable gap that new graduates should be aware of as they navigate their first few years in the industry. Entry-level positions typically provide opportunities to develop skills and gain client experience, with potential growth to $66,825 (P25) as they build their practice and establish a client base. With the projected growth rate of 3.30% annually, early-career financial advisors have the chance to increase their earnings through diligent work and a commitment to professional development in a market that remains viable for new graduates.
Career Earnings Timeline in Akron
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 Akron
Entry-level financial advisors in Akron, OH typically start between $54,625 and $66,825 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $202,354 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $99,736 — 8.11% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average financial planning program cost in Ohio of $48,000 represents just 87.87% of the starting financial advisor pay ($54,625/year) in Akron. 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 Akron
- 1Research the Akron market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $54,625 to $66,825, 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 OH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Akron, 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 Akron for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Akron'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 Akron is $202,354 ( 370.44%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $54,625, experienced hygienists can earn up to $256,979.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,120
2025 BLS Actual
$52,880
2026 Current Est.
$54,625
2019–2027 Growth
+19.8%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Akron (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,625 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,428 | Projected |
Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Akron, OH grew 12.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $47,120 in 2019 to $52,880 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $56,428. New graduates entering the Akron job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Akron 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 Akron
In Akron, the landscape for new grad financial advisor pay in OH is largely influenced by the types of firms hiring entry-level advisors. Major players such as Northwestern Mutual, Edward Jones, and MassMutual actively recruit recent graduates, often offering structured ramp-up programs and bonuses tied to commission. Wirehouses may provide training, but their hiring practices are shifting towards an employee-based model, while Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) look to hire associate advisors from a pool of Certified Financial Planner (CFP) candidates. Credentials can significantly enhance a new advisor’s prospects; obtaining licenses like the Series 7 and Series 66, alongside a state insurance license, can not only elevate starting salaries but also open doors to broader career opportunities in wealth management. As RIAs favor fee-only structures and asset-based compensation models, understanding this division will be crucial for new advisors in their first three years, helping them strategize effectively as they seek to climb the salary ladder in an evolving industry.
More salary data for Akron, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Akron. 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