Personal Financial Advisors
Personal financial advisors help clients develop and implement financial plans by analyzing their assets, liabilities, income, and goals. They provide guidance on investments, tax strategies, insurance, and retirement planning. Most work for financial services firms, banks, or independently, meeting with clients in offices or remotely to review financial situations and recommend actionable strategies.
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A day in the work
A financial advisor typically spends time meeting with clients to review their financial situations, discussing goals, and recommending changes to investment portfolios or insurance coverage. Advisors research investment options, analyze tax implications, and prepare financial plans. They also handle administrative tasks like documenting client agreements and monitoring existing accounts. Some days involve more client meetings; others focus on analysis, market research, and compliance documentation.
Who this work suits
Holland code ECS. Enterprising work is leading, persuading and making decisions. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely enjoy this work if you're organized, detail-oriented, and motivated by helping clients achieve concrete financial outcomes. People who succeed here tend to be enterprising—building client relationships and sometimes their own practice—while also being conventional, appreciating structured processes, regulations, and clearly defined financial rules and standards.
What it takes
Preparation: Considerable preparation (most need a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience). Most people in this occupation hold a bachelor’s degree.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $102,080 | $166,400 | $282,050 | 21,550 |
| New Jersey | $102,930 | $158,570 | $269,310 | 9,300 |
| California | $83,860 | $130,330 | $195,420 | 32,200 |
| Connecticut | $81,990 | $129,720 | $165,850 | — |
| South Dakota | $101,200 | $128,720 | $204,320 | 620 |
| Massachusetts | $83,810 | $125,670 | $174,720 | — |
| Delaware | $74,100 | $125,050 | $161,680 | — |
| Oregon | $75,310 | $122,830 | $161,810 | 3,070 |
| Illinois | $73,010 | $120,130 | $175,680 | 9,760 |
| Wisconsin | $77,730 | $119,430 | $205,600 | 5,200 |
| Washington | $77,710 | $114,050 | $174,970 | 5,790 |
| Vermont | $79,560 | $110,020 | $177,820 | 520 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Credentialed Financial Advisor — Financial Advisor Training Institute
- Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) — Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
- Certified Financial Examiner - Financial Analyst (CFE-FA) — Society of Financial Examiners
- Certified Financial Technician (CFTe) — The International Federation of Technical Analysts Inc.
- Accredited Retirement Advisor (ARA) — Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation
- Certified Personal and Family Finance Educator (CPFFE) — American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
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Four short assessments and your background, scored against personal financial advisors and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 13-2052.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.