How Many Financial Advisors Are in the U.S.?

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Written by True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

Reviewed by Subject Matter Experts

Updated on March 15, 2024

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Financial Advisors in the U.S. Overview

Financial advisors are professionals who help clients manage their finances. According to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, there are around 330,300 financial advisors employed in the country.

The latest available demographics and statistics of such profession show the following:

  • There are more men than women in the financial advisor profession.
  • An employed financial advisor is 44 years old on average.
  • The most dominant ethnicity among them is white.
  • The average salary is $94,170 per year or $45.27 per hour.
  • Finance advisors are 48% more likely to work for a private company than a public company.
  • The highest-paying states for financial advisors are New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, the District of Columbia, and Virginia.
  • It is estimated that 35% of Americans consult with a financial advisor.

Understanding the current landscape of financial advisors in the U.S. can help make informed decisions when finding financial advice. Financial advisors are valuable assets in the management of personal and business finances.

Gender Statistics for Financial Advisors

According to Zippia, 72% of financial advisors are male, and 28% are female.

Data also show that males earn higher than females in this profession.

The average annual income of female financial advisors is $58,316. In comparison, that of male financial advisors is $68,662.

Gender_Statistics_for_Financial_Advisors

Race Statistics for Financial Advisors

White is the most prevalent ethnicity among financial advisors, accounting for 76.5% of the population. In comparison, 8.6% are Asian, and 7.6% are Hispanic or Latino, followed by African Americans comprising 5.1%.

The minority comprises unrecognized ethnicities, American Indians, and Alaska Natives.

Race_Statistics_for_Financial_Advisors

There is a considerable wage gap among different ethnic backgrounds. Financial advisors from an unknown racial background have the average highest salaries, earning $68,312 per year.

Following closely in the statistics are the Asians at $67,128 per year and white advisors at $65,983. African Americans earn at least $53,785 annually.

Race_Statistics_for_Financial_Advisors_(2)

Average Age of a Financial Advisor

The average age of financial advisors in the United States is 44 years old, with the 62% majority being above 40 years old.

Financial advisors aged 30 to 40 represent 27% of the population, and young financial advisors aged 20 to 30 make up 10%.

Average_Age_for_Financial_Advisors

Financial Advisors by Education

Most financial advisors hold a bachelor's degree as their highest level of education, with 74% obtaining one. In addition, 12% have a master's degree, and the rest possess an associate degree, high school diploma, and other kinds of degrees.

The level of education affects a financial advisor’s overall cost. The higher the level of education, the higher the salary. Those with a doctorate earn the most at $86,634 annually, followed by those with a master's degree at $76,666.

Financial_Advisors_By_Education

Statistics on Financial Advisor Employment

Most financial advisors work in securities, commodity contracts, other financial investments, and related activities in industry accounting. Such accounts for 19.98% of industry employment

The next most significant sector, far behind at 2.2%, is credit intermediation and related activities.

The rest of the financial advisors work in agencies, brokerages, other insurance, and related activities.

Financial_Advisor_Employment

Statistics on Financial Advisor Turnover and Unemployment

A review of 33,322 financial advisor resumés by BLS indicated that 42% of financial advisors stay at their job for approximately 1-2 years. 20% of financial advisors look for another job in less than a year. Only 6% were employed in the same place for more than 11 years.

Statistics_on_Financial_Advisor_Turnover_(1)

Generally, the trend of unemployment for financial advisors has been decreasing. The trend indicates an increase in job opportunities for financial advisors. In 2010, the unemployment rate was 3.85%, and data from 2019 shows that it is at 1.59%.

Statistics_on_Financial_Advisor_Unemployment

Average Annual Salary of a Financial Advisor

The latest available data shows that the average annual salary of a financial advisor in the U.S. is $94,170. The highest 10% earning financial advisor receives more than $208,000, while the lowest 10% earns less than $47,570.

Average_Annual_Salary_of_a_Financial_Advisor_(1)

The top-paying industry is where most financial advisors are employed. Most are engaged in securities, commodity contracts, other financial investments, and related activities. The average annual wage is $99,970.

Average_Annual_Salary_of_a_Financial_Advisor

Financial Advisor Job Outlook

The job outlook for financial advisors is positive. The projected growth rate for financial advisors from 2022 to 2032 is 13%, much higher than the average of all occupations. This indicates that more financial advisors will be needed to serve a growing population.

Over the next decade, the average number of opportunities for personal financial advisors is expected to be around 30,500. The anticipated growth can result from the need to replace people who change occupations or leave the labor force, such as retiring.

Final Thoughts

Financial advisors are professionals who help clients manage their finances. There is a growing demand for the profession. The Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that more than 330,300 financial advisors are employed in the United States.

Statistics show that they came from different backgrounds regarding gender, age, race, and education. The trend of turnover and unemployment and the diversity of financial advisors is encouraging as it opens many job opportunities.

Given the increase in demand, financial advisors can expect to have many opportunities in the near future. The latest available average salary is $94,170, and the job outlook for this profession is expected to be positive in the upcoming years with a 15% growth rate.

The number of financial advisors will continue to increase as people become more aware of the importance of managing their finances and the industry continues to expand. With the proper guidance, investors can make sound decisions and grow their wealth.

How Many Financial Advisors Are in the U.S.? FAQs

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About the Author

True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.

True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.

To learn more about True, visit his personal website or view his author profiles on Amazon, Nasdaq and Forbes.

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