Entry-Level Financial Advisor Salary in Lake Stevens, WA: $58,315 (2026)
Quick Answer:New financial advisors entering the Lake Stevens, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $58,315 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2052, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lake Stevens's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $54,297 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($100,543) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting compensation for new financial advisors in Lake Stevens is projected to be around $58,315 in 2026, which sets a solid foundation for recent graduates entering the field. This starting financial advisor salary in Lake Stevens is notably lower than the city’s median of $100,543, highlighting the typical growth trajectory early in a career. However, advisors can expect significant salary advancements within their first few years, with earnings moving toward the $72,602 mark at the 25th percentile and eventually approaching the city’s median. Currently, Lake Stevens presents a favorable job market for new graduates pursuing financial advisory roles, primarily due to the area's growing demand for financial planning services and a supportive community of established firms.
About the Lake Stevens Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lake Stevens
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 Lake Stevens
Entry-level financial advisors in Lake Stevens, WA typically start between $58,315 and $72,602 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $97,526 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $100,543 — 7.37% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average financial planning program cost in Washington of $58,000 represents just 99.46% of the starting financial advisor pay ($58,315/year) in Lake Stevens. 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 Lake Stevens
- 1Research the Lake Stevens market: entry-level financial advisor pay ranges from $58,315 to $72,602, 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 WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Lake Stevens, 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 Lake Stevens for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lake Stevens'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 Lake Stevens is $97,526 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $58,315, experienced hygienists can earn up to $155,841.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$48,309
2025 BLS Actual
$56,452
2026 Current Est.
$58,315
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Lake Stevens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,309 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,602 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,505 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,527 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,091 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,452 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,315 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,239 | Projected |
Entry-level financial advisor compensation (10th percentile) in Lake Stevens, WA grew 16.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $48,309 in 2019 to $56,452 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $60,239. New graduates entering the Lake Stevens job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Stevens 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 Lake Stevens
In Lake Stevens, entry-level opportunities primarily arise from well-known insurance agencies like Northwestern Mutual, Edward Jones, and MassMutual. These employers often actively seek new graduates, offering structured onboarding programs that may include bonuses against commissions for the early stages in the industry. Meanwhile, registered investment advisors (RIAs) also welcome entry-level candidates, particularly those pursuing a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) credential, as they value a client-service-focused approach. For those entering the profession, obtaining licenses like Series 7 and Series 66 significantly enhances starting salaries, along with credentials such as a CFA or CPA. Over the first three years, new advisors can realistically expect their earnings to align with the changing landscape of the financial industry, which is increasingly shifting toward a fee-only model at RIAs, compared to the traditional commission-based structure at wirehouses. This shift suggests strategic career planning should align with these trends, as gaining experience in asset management can lead to salary increases that reflect the expected industry growth rate of 3.30% annually.
More salary data for Lake Stevens, WA:
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 Lake Stevens. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lake Stevens 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