Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Hartford, CT: $60,771 (2026)
Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Hartford, CT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $60,771 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Hartford's local price level (BEA RPP 102.7 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $59,147 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($84,696) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates considering a career as a financial advisor in Hartford, CT should set realistic salary expectations. In 2026, the entry-level financial advisor salary is projected to start around $60,771, which is significantly below the city's median annual salary of $84,696. For new advisors entering the field, this gap highlights an initial earning potential that can grow substantially over the first few years. As they gain experience and skills, they can look forward to earning around $83,880, and possibly achieving the median salary as they establish themselves in the industry. Hartford remains a viable market for aspiring financial advisors, offering opportunities for growth and advancement despite the modest starting pay compared to the national average of $108,537.
Career Earnings Timeline in Hartford
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 Hartford
Entry-level financial advisors in Hartford, CT typically start between $60,771 and $83,880 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $110,067 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $84,696 — 21.97% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average financial planning program cost in Connecticut of $72,000 represents just 118.48% of the starting financial advisor pay ($60,771/year) in Hartford. 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 Hartford
- 1Research the Hartford market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $60,771 to $83,880, 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 CT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Hartford, 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 Hartford for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Hartford'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 Hartford is $110,067 ( 181.12%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $60,771, experienced hygienists can earn up to $170,838.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,020
2025 BLS Actual
$58,830
2026 Current Est.
$60,771
2019–2027 Growth
+33.5%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Hartford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,020 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,771 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,777 | Projected |
Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Hartford, CT grew 25.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $47,020 in 2019 to $58,830 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $62,777. New graduates entering the Hartford job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hartford 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 Hartford
Employers such as Northwestern Mutual, Edward Jones, and MassMutual frequently recruit entry-level advisors, focusing on structured programs that often include bonuses to commissions. Other financial institutions, especially wirehouses, may provide training programs for new hires, though these have scaled back recently. It's essential for new advisors to pursue key credentials that can enhance their initial compensation, such as obtaining the Series 7 and Series 66 licenses, as well as considering the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation, which is highly regarded in the industry. With the financial sector shifting towards a fee-only fiduciary model, where assets under management (AUM) dictate earnings, those affiliated with Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) are seeing quicker growth. First, to third-year salary growth in this environment, however, can fluctuate based on performance, networking, and the overall market dynamics of Hartford's financial landscape.
More salary data for Hartford, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for financial advisors in Hartford in 2026?
How fast do financial advisor salaries grow in Hartford?
Is financial planning school worth it in Hartford?
What do new financial advisors make right out of school in Hartford?
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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 Hartford. 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