Financial Advisor Pay

Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Lewiston, ME: $61,765 (2026)

Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Lewiston, ME job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $61,765 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lewiston's local price level (BEA RPP 99.60% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $62,013 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($106,492) within a few years of clinical practice.

$61,765
Starting Salary
$29.70/hr
Starting Hourly
$61,765
Entry Level
$106,492
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Financial Advisor Entry Level Salary in Lewiston, ME — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Lewiston, ME financial advisor entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, new graduates pursuing a career as entry-level financial advisors in Lewiston can expect a starting salary around $61,765, which sits at the lower end of the overall salary scale for the profession in the area. This amount represents a significant gap when compared to the median salary of $106,492 for all financial advisors in Lewiston. Newly minted advisors have the potential to experience strong salary growth over the first few years, moving from entry-level positions towards more competitive salaries as they gain experience and develop their clientele. Given these expectations, Lewiston can be considered a viable market for new graduates eager to step into the financial advising field, particularly with the anticipated growth rate of 3.30% annually over the next five years.

About the Lewiston Market

Salary estimated from Maine average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Lewiston

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$61,765/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$76,674/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$106,492/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$136,310/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lewiston

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for financial advisors in Lewiston. The median salary is $106,492, compared to the national median of $108,537.$55.6K$85.0K$114.5K$143.9K$173.3K$61.8K10th Pctl$76.7K25th Pctl$106.5KMedian$136.3K75th Pctl$165.1K90th PctlUS Median$108.5K

Entry-level financial advisors in Lewiston, ME typically start between $61,765 and $76,674 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $103,298 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $106,4921.88% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of financial advisor pay in the Lewiston metro area.

Return on Investment

$55,000
Avg ME Program Cost
$61,765
Starting Salary
89.05%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average financial planning program cost in Maine of $55,000 represents just 89.05% of the starting financial advisor pay ($61,765/year) in Lewiston. 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 Lewiston

  • 1Research the Lewiston market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $61,765 to $76,674, 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 ME often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Lewiston, 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 Lewiston for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Lewiston'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 Lewiston is $103,298 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $61,765, experienced hygienists can earn up to $165,063.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$51,167

2025 BLS Actual

$59,792

2026 Current Est.

$61,765

2019–2027 Growth

+24.7%

Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Lewiston (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for financial advisors in Lewiston. Baseline $51,167 in 2025, projected to $63,803 by 2027.$46.7K$51.7K$56.7K$61.7K$66.7K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$51.2K$49.5K$56.7K$55.6K$58.1K$52.4K$59.8K$61.8K$63.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$51,167Actual
2020$49,520Actual
2021$56,671Actual
2022$55,634Actual
2023$58,053Actual
2024$52,354Actual
2025$59,792Actual
2026(current)$61,765Estimated
2027$63,803Projected

Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Lewiston, ME grew 16.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $51,167 in 2019 to $59,792 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $63,803. New graduates entering the Lewiston job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lewiston metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Lewiston

Employers in Lewiston that actively recruit new financial advisors include well-known firms like Northwestern Mutual, Edward Jones, and MassMutual, which often implement structured training programs and offer bonuses to assist new hires in building their client bases. Additionally, registered investment advisors (RIAs) may look to associate advisors from the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) candidate pool to match their growing needs, while banks typically draw talent from MBA or CFA programs into wealth management roles. Aspiring financial advisors in Maine should consider obtaining licenses such as the Series 7 and Series 66, along with a state insurance license, as these credentials can enhance starting pay. The evolving landscape of the industry, marked by the shift towards a fiduciary model for RIAs and a more traditional commission-based structure for wirehouses, will influence salary trajectories, with RIA roles increasingly incorporating assets under management compensation models. First-year salaries can see gradual increases that reflect market conditions and individual performance, allowing recent graduates to build a sustainable career in financial management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for financial advisors in Lewiston in 2026?

Entry-level financial advisors in Lewiston start at approximately $61,765/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.30% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $29.69/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do financial advisor salaries grow in Lewiston?

Most financial advisors in Lewiston progress from the entry-level salary of $61,765 to the area median of $106,492 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $165,063 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is financial planning school worth it in Lewiston?

With a starting salary of $61,765/year in Lewiston and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new financial advisors recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new financial advisors make right out of school in Lewiston?

New financial planning graduates in Lewiston typically start near the 10th percentile at $61,765/year, or approximately $29.69/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a financial advisor in Maine?

To become a licensed financial advisor in Maine, you typically need bachelor's degree typically required (finance, economics, accounting, or business). career credentials: series 7 + series 65 or 66 (finra exams) for licensed advisors; cfp (certified financial planner) for fee-based planning; cfa (chartered financial analyst) for investment-focused work; chfc for insurance-focused. most paths require 2-3 years of supervised experience plus exam pass., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Maine, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some financial advisors pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Maine

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Sophia Martinez, CFAData verified by Ethan Wang, ChFC

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 Lewiston. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Lewiston is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

Last verified: