Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Pawtucket, RI: $63,197 (2026)
Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Pawtucket, RI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $63,197 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Pawtucket's local price level (BEA RPP 100.5 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $62,883 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($108,961) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Emerging financial professionals ready to launch their careers in Pawtucket, RI, can expect an entry level financial advisor salary that starts at approximately $63,197 for 2026. While this figure is significantly lower than the city’s median annual salary of $108,961, new graduates should remain optimistic about their growth potential. Within the first three to five years, individuals in this field often see their earnings rise from the entry-level salary to around $78,452 at the 25th percentile, and many eventually reach or exceed the median. Given these projections, Pawtucket presents a relatively favorable job market for fresh graduates, with a robust growth rate of 3.30% annually, providing a solid foundation for aspiring financial advisors.
About the Pawtucket Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Pawtucket
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 Pawtucket
Entry-level financial advisors in Pawtucket, RI typically start between $63,197 and $78,452 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $105,692 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $108,961 — 0.39% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average financial planning program cost in Rhode Island of $65,000 represents just 102.85% of the starting financial advisor pay ($63,197/year) in Pawtucket. 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 Pawtucket
- 1Research the Pawtucket market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $63,197 to $78,452, 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 RI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Pawtucket, 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 Pawtucket for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Pawtucket'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 Pawtucket is $105,692 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $63,197, experienced hygienists can earn up to $168,889.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,353
2025 BLS Actual
$61,178
2026 Current Est.
$63,197
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Pawtucket (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,353 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,755 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,984 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,924 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,398 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,885 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,178 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,197 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,282 | Projected |
Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Pawtucket, RI grew 16.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,353 in 2019 to $61,178 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $65,282. New graduates entering the Pawtucket job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pawtucket 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 Pawtucket
Potential employers in Pawtucket that actively seek entry-level financial advisors include well-established insurance agencies such as Northwestern Mutual and MassMutual, which often offer structured ramp-up periods alongside commission bonuses to foster new talent. Additionally, registered investment advisors (RIAs) are increasingly hiring associate advisors from the Certified Financial Planner candidate pool, offering detailed client service paths. For those entering the profession, essential credentials such as a Bachelor's degree, Series 7 and Series 66 licensing, and potential CFP certification can markedly elevate starting financial advisor pay in RI. As the industry continues to polarize between commission-based models at wirehouses and fee-only structures at RIAs, early-career professionals should strategize around this shift. Real estate growth opportunities remain promising, as advisors typically earn compensation based on a percentage of assets under management in fee-only practices, ensuring that motivated individuals can see significant salary increases within their first few years in the field.
More salary data for Pawtucket, RI:
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 Pawtucket. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pawtucket is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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