Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Burlington, VT: $60,069 (2026)
Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Burlington, VT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $60,069 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Burlington's local price level (BEA RPP 100.9 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $59,504 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($134,228) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, Vermont, the starting financial advisor salary is projected at $60,069 in 2026. This figure represents the lower end of the pay spectrum for entry-level positions, significantly trailing the city’s median salary of $134,228. For new graduates entering the field, there is a noticeable gap between initial pay and the median, highlighting the steep growth trajectory that can be expected over the first few years. As entry-level advisors gain experience and develop their client base, they can realistically anticipate moving toward the 25th percentile salary of $82,185 and eventually approaching the median salary within three to five years. With the local financial landscape showing a steady annual growth rate of 3.30%, Burlington presents a favorable job market for recent graduates interested in pursuing careers in financial advising.
Career Earnings Timeline in Burlington
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 Burlington
Entry-level financial advisors in Burlington, VT typically start between $60,069 and $82,185 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $162,098 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $134,228 — 23.67% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average financial planning program cost in Vermont of $58,000 represents just 96.56% of the starting financial advisor pay ($60,069/year) in Burlington. 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 Burlington
- 1Research the Burlington market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $60,069 to $82,185, 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 VT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Burlington, 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 Burlington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Burlington'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 Burlington is $162,098 ( 269.85%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $60,069, experienced hygienists can earn up to $222,167.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,440
2025 BLS Actual
$58,150
2026 Current Est.
$60,069
2019–2027 Growth
+14.0%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,069 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,051 | Projected |
Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Burlington, VT grew 6.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $54,440 in 2019 to $58,150 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $62,051. New graduates entering the Burlington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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 Burlington
In Burlington, major employers actively recruit new graduates into financial advisor roles, including well-known insurance firms like Northwestern Mutual, Edward Jones, and MassMutual, which offer structured career paths complete with bonuses on commissions. Additionally, regional investment advisors (RIAs) are increasingly seeking candidates from the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) candidate pool for positions as associate advisors, catering to those who prefer a fee-only fiduciary model, which is currently gaining traction in the industry. To enhance their marketability and starting pay in Vermont, new financial advisors should consider obtaining relevant credentials, such as the Series 7 and Series 66 licenses, and potentially pursuing additional qualifications like the CFP designation. Given the ongoing bifurcation in the industry between commission-based and fee-based compensation models, aspiring financial advisors may find that those affiliated with RIAs typically earn on an assets under management (AUM) basis, paying around 1% of managed assets, while wirehouses continue to focus on commission-based structures. As new graduates build their competencies and client relationships, they can expect meaningful salary growth in their early years within the Burlington financial services market.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
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 Burlington. 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