Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Madison, WI: $54,222 (2026)
Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Madison, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $54,222 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Madison's local price level (BEA RPP 97.3 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $55,734 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($130,158) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Madison, Wisconsin, new graduates entering the financial advising field can expect an entry-level financial advisor salary that starts at around $54,222 in 2026. Although this may seem modest compared to the city’s median salary of $130,158, it reflects the initial barriers many face in building a career in financial services. Over the first few years, those starting at the lower end of the pay scale can realistically look forward to progressing toward the 25th percentile salary of $80,305 as they gain experience and build their client base. Madison remains a favorable market for new graduates; the region's economic stability and demand for financial advisory services yield promising opportunities for growth and advancement in this profession.
Career Earnings Timeline in Madison
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 Madison
Entry-level financial advisors in Madison, WI typically start between $54,222 and $80,305 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $469,809 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $130,158 — 19.92% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average financial planning program cost in Wisconsin of $45,000 represents just 82.99% of the starting financial advisor pay ($54,222/year) in Madison. 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 Madison
- 1Research the Madison market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $54,222 to $80,305, 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 WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Madison, 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 Madison for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Madison'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 Madison is $469,809 ( 866.45%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $54,222, experienced hygienists can earn up to $524,031.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$55,410
2025 BLS Actual
$52,490
2026 Current Est.
$54,222
2019–2027 Growth
+1.1%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,490 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,222 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,012 | Projected |
Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Madison, WI grew -5.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $55,410 in 2019 to $52,490 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $56,012. New graduates entering the Madison job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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 Madison
Employers in Madison actively seeking to hire new graduates for financial advisor roles include established firms like Northwestern Mutual, Edward Jones, and MassMutual, which typically offer structured ramp-up programs and performance bonuses to bolster starting salaries. Additionally, Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) increasingly hire associate advisors from the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) candidate pool, focusing on a client-service path. For aspiring advisors, acquiring relevant credentials is essential to boost starting financial advisor pay in WI. Obtaining licenses such as the Series 7 and Series 66, along with a state insurance license, is crucial. Further credentials like CFP or CFA can set candidates apart in a competitive job market. As the industry continues to evolve, those entering this field should anticipate realistic salary growth in the first few years, ultimately finding particular advantage in the RIA sector where AUM-based compensation is becoming increasingly prevalent.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
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 Madison. 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