Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Milwaukee, WI: $66,959 (2026)
Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Milwaukee, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $66,959 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Milwaukee's local price level (BEA RPP 96.9 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $69,075 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($129,962) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For graduates stepping into the financial advisory profession in Milwaukee in 2026, expectations should be tempered with an understanding of the market. While the overall median annual salary for financial advisors in the city reaches $129,962, starting salaries at entry-level positions are significantly lower. With a projected 2026 salary starting at $66,959, new financial advisors can expect to bridge the gap to the median over time, advancing towards the P25 salary of $100,728 within their initial years. The financial advisory field in Milwaukee presents a favorable environment for new entrants, particularly given the city's moderate cost of living and growing opportunities within both commission-based and fee-only advisory firms.
Career Earnings Timeline in Milwaukee
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 Milwaukee
Entry-level financial advisors in Milwaukee, WI typically start between $66,959 and $100,728 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $336,190 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $129,962 — 19.74% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average financial planning program cost in Wisconsin of $45,000 represents just 67.21% of the starting financial advisor pay ($66,959/year) in Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee
- 1Research the Milwaukee market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $66,959 to $100,728, 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 Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Milwaukee'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 Milwaukee is $336,190 ( 502.08%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $66,959, experienced hygienists can earn up to $403,149.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,930
2025 BLS Actual
$64,820
2026 Current Est.
$66,959
2019–2027 Growth
+25.9%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,959 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,169 | Projected |
Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Milwaukee, WI grew 18.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $54,930 in 2019 to $64,820 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $69,169. New graduates entering the Milwaukee job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee
In terms of employment opportunities, several organizations in Milwaukee are eager to recruit new graduates for financial advisory roles. Companies like Northwestern Mutual and Edward Jones often bring in entry-level advisors through structured training programs that blend base salaries with commission potential. On the other hand, registered investment advisors (RIAs) may seek candidates with a focus on client service and a foundation in client-facing roles, especially those pursuing advanced certifications like the CFP. In Wisconsin, holding certain credentials, such as the Series 7 and Series 66 licenses, can significantly enhance starting pay, given the industry's competitive nature. As the financial advisory industry bifurcates, new graduates may find that pursuing the CFP certification aligns them with the increasingly recognized gold standard for financial planners, which is particularly valuable for securing positions at RIAs. Throughout the first few years, realistic salary growth may anticipate movement toward commission- or AUM-based compensation structures, establishing a solid financial future for those entering the Milwaukee market.
More salary data for Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee. 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