Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Salt Lake City, UT: $52,115 (2026)
Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Salt Lake City, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $52,115 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Salt Lake City's local price level (BEA RPP 100.9 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $51,667 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($80,564) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Salt Lake City, new graduates pursuing a career as financial advisors can expect to start their journey with a salary around $52,115, which marks the entry-level threshold for this profession in 2026. This starting financial advisor salary in Salt Lake City is substantially below the city’s median annual salary of $80,564, highlighting the gap that entry-level professionals will need to bridge as they gain experience. Realistically, those entering the field can anticipate incremental salary growth over the first few years, with an increase to approximately $63,922, as they generally move toward the median salary within three to five years. Overall, Salt Lake City appears to be a favorable market for new graduates, particularly given its competitive pay relative to national standards, as graduates can strategically work toward enhancing their earning potential and gaining valuable experience in the field.
Career Earnings Timeline in Salt Lake City
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 Salt Lake City
Entry-level financial advisors in Salt Lake City, UT typically start between $52,115 and $63,922 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $173,007 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $80,564 — 25.77% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average financial planning program cost in Utah of $42,000 represents just 80.59% of the starting financial advisor pay ($52,115/year) in Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City
- 1Research the Salt Lake City market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $52,115 to $63,922, 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 UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Salt Lake City, 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 Salt Lake City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Salt Lake City'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 Salt Lake City is $173,007 ( 331.97%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $52,115, experienced hygienists can earn up to $225,122.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$35,000
2025 BLS Actual
$50,450
2026 Current Est.
$52,115
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,115 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,835 | Projected |
Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Salt Lake City, UT grew 44.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $35,000 in 2019 to $50,450 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $53,835. New graduates entering the Salt Lake City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City
In the Salt Lake City area, several prominent employers actively recruit new financial advisors, making them key players in the local job market. Agencies like Northwestern Mutual, Edward Jones, and MassMutual offer structured onboarding for new hires, often including bonuses tied to initial performance. Additionally, regional independent registered investment advisors (RIAs) are increasingly seeking fresh talent, particularly those with certifications such as the CFP. Pursuing credentials like the Series 7 and Series 66 securities licenses along with a state insurance license can significantly enhance earning prospects. For new financial advisors, the first 1-3 years should be focused on building a client base and understanding the industry dynamics, especially as the market shifts more towards fee-only RIA models versus traditional commission-based structures. Realistic salary growth during this phase could lead to earnings in the range of $63,922 to higher tiers within the local market, driven by industry experience and credentialing efforts.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for financial advisors in Salt Lake City in 2026?
How fast do financial advisor salaries grow in Salt Lake City?
Is financial planning school worth it in Salt Lake City?
What do new financial advisors make right out of school in Salt Lake City?
How do I become a financial advisor in Utah?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Utah
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 Salt Lake City. 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