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25 of the Highest Paying Financial Planner Jobs in 2024

The best Financial Planner jobs can pay up to $155,000 per year.

A financial planner is an advisor who works with and individual or organization to plan and manage long-term finance goals. As a financial planner, you meet with your clients for multiple consultation sessions, which are designed to identify a client's current financial situation and determine a realistic goal for which to aim. You then recommend various strategies and practices to help your client make progress towards their goals. Generally, these recommendations revolve around investment strategies, but you may outline budgetary duties as well. Knowledge of current market trends is crucial, as is experience in business or wealth management.

To become a financial planner, you need at least a bachelor's degree in finance, economics, business or a related field. Many employers may require a master's degree, as developing wealth management skills takes time. Experience in the finance industry is a must, so students should consider taking an internship while obtaining their degree. Since financial planners can specialize in specific areas, such as retirement planning or estate planning, you may want to consider getting a concentration in one of these areas of study. However, there is a market for general planners as well. You can also earn a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) title from the CFP Board. While this certification is not mandatory, it may be among the preferred qualifications for some employers.

High Paying Financial Planner Jobs

  • Investment Consultant

    An investment consultant advises clients on how to invest their money. Your clients may be individuals, particularly for money managers, or institutions for other types of consultants. As an advisor, your duties are to perform research and analysis on market trends, create financial forecasts, assess the goals of their clients, and suggest possible investment opportunities that will increase their profits and provide them with financial stability. You must cultivate long-term relationships with your clients and gain their trust so that they feel comfortable taking your advice. You make money by charging fees or earning a commission on investments.

  • Senior Wealth Advisor

    The majority of Senior Wealth Advisor salaries across the United States currently range between $112,000 (25th percentile) and $147,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Senior Wealth Advisor job market in the United States is active, with some companies hiring.

  • Financial Advisor

    Financial advisors manage clients’ financial goals, such as how much money is needed to save for retirement, paying off debt or mortgage loans, and saving for college or buying a vacation home. An advisor also helps with future planning to grow wealth and advise clients on the best route for investing.

  • Portfolio Manager

    A portfolio manager manages funds and investment strategies on behalf of a client. They may research and develop strategies for individuals or institutional investors, such as pension funds, or governmental entities, such as states municipalities. Although a portfolio manager has some sales duties, their primary responsibilities are as a financial research analyst, as they determine the amount of risk to which a client is willing to be exposed. This position is commonly found at investment banks or similar financial institutions. Qualifications to become a portfolio manager include a bachelor’s degree in statistics, economics, finance, or a related field as well as any relevant professional licenses.

  • Private Wealth Advisor

    A private wealth advisor oversees the finances of individuals or families. As a private wealth advisor, you manage your client's investment portfolio and assets and provide advice. You work with your client to develop a wealth management plan to meet their goals. You advise your clients about major financial decisions, such as selling a business. Especially for clients with a high net worth, you are often part of your client’s finance team and work with their attorneys, bankers, and accountants. You should be very well informed about market performance and economic news.

  • Certified Financial Planner

    A certified financial planner (CFP) recommends different short- and long-term investment opportunities to a client based on their current income, budgetary constraints, future earnings potential, retirement plans, financial goals, and numerous other factors. As a CFP, you take the information from the client and analyze it to determine which types of investment strategies can help them achieve their goal. These strategies may include investing in property, a retirement plan, purchasing stocks, or investing in mutual funds. You then give advice to your client and recommend other finance experts who can help carry out the advice.

  • Financial Planning Consultant

    The majority of Financial Planning Consultant salaries across the United States currently range between $75,000 (25th percentile) and $110,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Financial Planning Consultant job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

  • Pension Consultant

    A pension consultant provides information and advice on retirement options. As a pension consultant, your primary responsibilities are to analyze client requirements, offer recommendations, and discuss retirement plan opportunities such as 401(k), pensions, investments, and savings. Your duties include managing current portfolios, determining client needs, presenting retirement plan materials, providing recommendations based on specific cases, and working with other departments to ensure customer satisfaction. You help customers understand benefits, decide contribution, weigh the pros and cons of available options, and make informed decisions. In addition to working with clients on a one-on-one basis, you may present webinars and conferences for mass education.

  • Associate Financial Planner

    The job duties of an associate financial planner revolve around working to assist and support a more senior financial planner as they offer advice to clients. Your responsibilities in this career may include providing analysis about financial options, using data to make projections, helping the advisor or planner prepare for clients, meeting with clients to get their initial information, and assisting with recommendations. You may need to deal with subjects such as investment portfolio management or retirement planning. You may also perform office administration tasks such as filing paperwork and scheduling appointments.

  • Retirement Administrator

    Salary range: $48,000-$97,500 per year

    A retirement administrator or pension administrator is in charge of managing the day-to-day processes associated with a retirement plan for a business or multiple businesses. In this role, your responsibilities revolve around running the plan, with specific duties like ensuring funds are administered within the guidelines of IRS regulations, making the correct investment with plan assets, overseeing the financial efficiency of the 401k or pension plan, and ensuring benefits are being delivered correctly and promptly to employees or their beneficiaries. Although a retirement administrator may perform additional duties, your main focus is on ensuring the money within is properly allocated.

  • Investment Advisor

    An investment advisor works with clients to build a portfolio of financial assets. As an investment advisor, you first determine your client’s current economic state, then you discuss their short- and long-term financial goals and risk tolerance. Your responsibilities also involve researching and tracking different stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds. This research enables you to give your clients good advice about which securities they should buy, hold, or sell.

  • Wealth Management Consultant

    The majority of Wealth Management Consultant salaries across the United States currently range between $74,500 (25th percentile) and $95,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Wealth Management Consultant job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

  • Stock Plan Administrator

    A stock plan administrator determines how to manage stock options for employees of a company. As a stock plan administrator, your main job duties are to research and write reports about the appropriate ways to compensate employees with stock options and other financial tools. You may be asked to recommend other services to the business or connect a company to outside brokers or stock advisors, depending on the size of the company and its specific goals. A stock plan administrator also prepares documents for the CEO and makes recommendations based on regulatory and accounting practices.

  • Retirement Plan Specialist

    A retirement plan specialist works with individuals to plan out their financial needs for retirement. Financial-planning is essential throughout life, but it becomes increasingly crucial in retirement when you aren't taking in the funds that you were during your working life. Retirement plans are often benefits of working for a specific company, so when an employee retires or move to another company, they need the help of a retirement plan specialist to take their money with them. As a retirement plan specialist, you help clients set goals, get them set up in the right programs, and ensure their investing meets the proper qualifications for retirement.

  • Personal Financial Advisor

    A personal financial advisor provides clients with financial advice about a variety of financial services, such as insurance and investment options, mortgage or refinancing opportunities, estate or retirement planning, and other ways to grow their clients’ wealth. As a personal financial advisor, your primary responsibilities include meeting with clients and determining their short- and long-term financial goals. Your duties include analyzing clients’ current finances, giving advice on services that align with reaching their goals, and educating them regarding the risks of various investments and taking on debt.

  • Retirement Consultant

    A retirement consultant works with individuals or organizations to offer guidance on retirement plans and related financial products. Your responsibilities are to consult with each client to learn more about their future financial goals and needs. You then suggest retirement plans that can help them reach their goals, and help them implement those plans and products into their lifestyle and budget. As a retirement consultant for an organization, your duties include suggesting which retirement plans and benefits they should offer employees. You may also assist employees with choosing retirement plans that fit their needs.

  • Investment Specialist

    The majority of Investment Specialist salaries across the United States currently range between $52,500 (25th percentile) and $78,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Investment Specialist job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.

  • Retirement Sales Consultant

    Salary range: $48,000-$75,500 per year

    The job of a retirement sales consultant is to advise clients, such as individuals or organizations, on retirement planning. Your duties include planning benefits packages, providing investment advice, and researching IRA funds or other options that help to provide pension and retirement assistance to workers. Your responsibilities also include providing market research reports highlighting strong investment strategies that are cost-efficient and provide an individual or a company and its employees with appropriate options for long-term financial planning.

  • Paraplanner

    A paraplanner works as a junior member of a financial planning team and helps clients develop financial plans to reach their goals. As a paraplanner, your job duties include gathering and reviewing client financial records, modeling possible financial scenarios, and using software to prepare documents with charts, graphs, and other visual aids. You also support financial advisors by helping prepare for meetings, performing research, and making planning recommendations. Some paraplanners work virtually outside of the office.

  • Pre Planning Advisor

    The majority of Pre Planning Advisor salaries across the United States currently range between $57,500 (25th percentile) and $72,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Pre Planning Advisor job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

  • Senior Stock Plan Administrator

    A senior stock plan administrator manages employee stock or investment plans on behalf of an organization. Their responsibilities including determining the eligibility of participants, explaining the process of joining, and auditing information. At larger organizations, they typically supervise a team managing employee investment plans. The qualifications for becoming a senior stock plan administrator often include a bachelor’s or master’s degree in finance, accounting, or a similar field. Strong communication skills and experience with specialized equity software are important for this position.

  • Pension Administrator

    As a pension administrator, you help new clients enroll in pension funds and maintain pension accounts for existing clients. For new enrollees, you work with your clients to complete pension applications accurately and answer any questions or concerns they may have about the plan. Once the pension plans are established, you keep a database of information related to funds so you can answer clients’ questions quickly and resolve any tax issues or IRS audits that may arise from their account. Pension administrators need to keep up-to-date on the most recent laws and regulations and how they affect specific pension plans and client interests.

  • Portfolio Administrator

    A portfolio administrator is a financial analyst, usually for a bank, insurance company, or securities firm. Job duties include planning and overseeing how a client’s investments are organized into a financial portfolio. Career qualifications typically include a bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field as well as professional licensure. A portfolio administrator needs the skills to keep up with the financial market as well as to analyze current events that may affect company investments.

  • Financial Advisor Trainee

    A financial advisor trainee is an entry-level employee in a financial services company. The position is similar to an apprenticeship; the trainee works under the supervision of a financial advisor to learn how to determine the client’s needs and objectives for their investments. As a financial advisor trainee, you also cultivate your own client relationships and eventually transition to become a full-time financial advisor. Though you can perform your duties without direct supervision, most companies require you to follow strict guidelines and report to a supervisor during your training period. Financial advisor trainees typically earn a base salary, commission on sales, and performance bonuses.

  • Financial Counselor

    Financial counselors are most commonly found in health care organizations. In this role, you meet with patients and their families to discuss their out-of-pocket costs for their recommended treatments and determine payment plans and other financial accommodations to pay for those treatments. Your primary goal is to enable patients to receive the treatment they need while paying off the fees within a reasonable timeframe. You may also follow up with the patients if they need to adjust the terms of their payment plan. Other types of financial counselors are found at post-secondary institutions, financial planning firms, and in human resources departments.