Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Boston, MA: $60,472 (2026)
Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Boston, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $60,472 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Boston's local price level (BEA RPP 108.3 — 8% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $55,855 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($130,705) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the financial advisory field in Boston, the starting financial advisor salary can be a crucial factor in their career choices. In 2026, entry-level positions are projected to offer salaries from as low as $60,472, indicating a starting point that is significantly lower than the city’s median salary of $130,705. This gap suggests that early-career professionals in finance can expect to earn about 46% less than the median during their initial years. However, those new advisors who navigate their first few years effectively may see their earning potential increase as they advance to the 25th percentile salary of $86,576, illustrating an upward trajectory that can be common in this profession. The Boston market is favorable for recent graduates, with numerous firms actively seeking emerging talent in a city known for its vibrant finance sector.
Career Earnings Timeline in Boston
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 Boston
Entry-level financial advisors in Boston, MA typically start between $60,472 and $86,576 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $442,279 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $130,705 — 20.42% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average financial planning program cost in Massachusetts of $88,000 represents just 145.52% of the starting financial advisor pay ($60,472/year) in Boston. 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 Boston
- 1Research the Boston market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $60,472 to $86,576, 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 MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Boston, 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 Boston for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Boston'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 Boston is $442,279 ( 731.38%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $60,472, experienced hygienists can earn up to $502,751.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,520
2025 BLS Actual
$58,540
2026 Current Est.
$60,472
2019–2027 Growth
+37.2%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Boston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,520 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,472 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,467 | Projected |
Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Boston, MA grew 28.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $45,520 in 2019 to $58,540 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $62,467. New graduates entering the Boston job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boston 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 Boston
In today’s competitive landscape, Boston has several key players hiring new graduates as financial advisors, including firms like Northwestern Mutual, Edward Jones, and MassMutual. These organizations typically have structured training programs that provide an essential ramp-up period along with potential bonuses, which can enhance new grad financial advisor pay in MA. Additionally, regional firms often require candidates to hold crucial credentials such as a bachelor’s degree, Series 7 and Series 66 licenses, and possibly the CFP credential, which is increasingly recognized as the gold standard for financial planning. Early-career advisors should be mindful of the shift in hiring practices within the industry; wirehouses are moving toward a compensation model that focuses on salaried advisors while RIAs are expanding their footprint. For those entering the field, realistic salary growth expectations in the first three years should reflect the bifurcation of models, with fee-based compensation likely offering more stability compared to commission-driven roles prevalent in some areas of the industry.
More salary data for Boston, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Boston. 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