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Practice Management > Compensation and Fees

Here's How Much Financial Planners Were Paid in 2023

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The median total compensation for all financial planners was $192,000 in 2023, and certified financial planners earned 10% more than average, according to a new study by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. 

The researchers controlled for nine other factors, including job experience, education, type of company and geographic location.

Eighty-eight percent of study participants rated the stability of their job as good or excellent, while 82% said the same about work-life balance, as did 79% about career advancement and 74% about compensation.

Half of CFP professionals in the study said they had a very high sense of personal fulfillment in their careers, and another 35% said they had a somewhat high sense of personal fulfillment.

Nine in 10 CFP professionals said they plan to stay with their current firm for the next two years. Of those who are considering leaving their firm, 67% said they intend to remain in the profession.

“It’s no surprise that CFP professionals are extremely happy in their careers,” Kevin Keller, the CFP Board CEO, said in a statement. “The findings in the 2024 Compensation Study show that a career in financial planning is quite possibly the best job ever.” 

The online survey was conducted in April and May among both CFP professionals and financial planners who do not hold the certification. It received responses from 1,455 professionals.

Experience and Firm Type

Those who had worked more than 20 years in financial planning had a median 2023 total compensation of $325,000. 

For financial planners who supervise staff, compensation scales up significantly. In 2023, those who supervised one to five staff had a median total compensation of $231,000, while those supervising six or more staff reported a median total compensation of $400,000.

When looking at planner compensation by channel, those working for wirehouses and brokerages earned the most, at a median $230,500, followed by those at independent broker-dealers, earning $225,000. Median earnings in other channels were:

  • Hybrid RIA, $215,000
  • Bank, $200,000
  • RIA, $161,700

Other Benefits

Ninety-eight percent of respondents reported compensation packages that include defined contributions, 42% profit sharing, 17% stock options, 8% employee stock option plans and 6% pension plans.

Financial professionals enjoy a work-life balance that promotes overall health and wellness, job satisfaction and productivity, according to the study. CFP professionals reported a median 21 days of paid time off per year, and 27% have unlimited paid time off. 

More than three-quarters of respondents also said they had access to maternity leave, paternity leave and family medical leave.


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