Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Bartlesville, OK: $54,904 (2026)
Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Bartlesville, OK job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $54,904 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Bartlesville's local price level (BEA RPP 88.9 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $61,759 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($94,662) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

The starting financial advisor salary in Bartlesville for 2026 is projected at $54,904, significantly lower than the median annual salary of $94,662 for this role in the city. This $39,758 gap highlights the realities new graduates may face as they embark on their careers in financial advising. However, there is growth potential in the field, with many entry-level professionals expected to increase their earnings quickly as they gain experience. Entry-level advisors can potentially advance to earn $68,156, or even approach the city median within the first three to five years of service. Overall, Bartlesville presents itself as a promising market for fresh graduates, balancing a moderate starting pay with opportunities for upward mobility in the finance sector.
About the Bartlesville Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Bartlesville
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 Bartlesville
Entry-level financial advisors in Bartlesville, OK typically start between $54,904 and $68,156 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $91,822 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $94,662 — 12.78% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average financial planning program cost in Oklahoma of $38,000 represents just 69.21% of the starting financial advisor pay ($54,904/year) in Bartlesville. 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 Bartlesville
- 1Research the Bartlesville market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $54,904 to $68,156, 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 OK often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Bartlesville, 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 Bartlesville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Bartlesville'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 Bartlesville is $91,822 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $54,904, experienced hygienists can earn up to $146,726.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,483
2025 BLS Actual
$53,150
2026 Current Est.
$54,904
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Bartlesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,483 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,701 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,375 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,454 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,604 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,904 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,716 | Projected |
Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Bartlesville, OK grew 16.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $45,483 in 2019 to $53,150 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $56,716. New graduates entering the Bartlesville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bartlesville 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 Bartlesville
In Bartlesville, various employers are actively seeking new graduates to fill financial advisor positions. Major firms such as Northwestern Mutual, Edward Jones, and MassMutual often hire new advisors and provide structured training programs, bonuses on commissions, and a pathway toward becoming established in the industry. Additionally, Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) tend to have a growing demand for associate advisors, especially those from the CFP candidate pool. To enhance starting pay in Oklahoma, candidates should consider obtaining credentials like the Series 7 and Series 66 licenses, as well as the highly regarded CFP designation. These qualifications can help new advisors navigate the emerging landscape, which is bifurcating between commission-based wirehouses and fee-only RIAs. The anticipated growth rate of 3.30% suggests that new advisors with the right credentials can see significant salary increases within the crucial first few years, making a strategic focus on education and licensing critical in shaping their careers.
More salary data for Bartlesville, OK:
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 Bartlesville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bartlesville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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