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Financial consultant: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$78,660median pay per year, or $37.82 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $48,040lowest 10% earn less
  2. $56,54025th percentile
  3. $78,660median
  4. $129,95075th percentile
  5. $212,880top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[2]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[3]

The median pay for securities, commodities and financial services sales agents, a group that includes financial consultants, was $78,660 a year in May 2025[1]. Pay spreads widely, and the top 10% earned more than $212,880[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+1.4%[4]
Openings per year
35,100[5]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[6]

How much do financial consultants make?

BLS counts financial consultants in the category Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents[7]. In May 2025, the median was $78,660 a year, or $37.82 an hour[1]. The average was $109,150 a year, or $52.48 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[3].

The range is wide:

Point in the range Annual Hourly
10th percentile[2][9] $48,040 $23.10
25th percentile[2][9] $56,540 $27.18
Median[1] $78,660 $37.82
75th percentile[2][9] $129,950 $62.48
90th percentile[2][9] $212,880 $102.35

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $48,040 a year[2]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes no starting salary[10].

These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses and the cost of benefits[11]. About 6% of these workers were self-employed in 2025[12].

Pay by state and city

New York had the highest state median at $168,340[13]. Massachusetts ($100,310), Illinois ($99,840) and Connecticut ($98,560) followed[13]. Mississippi had the lowest listed median at $46,680[13].

California had the most jobs at 55,860[14]. New York (55,630), Florida (42,600), Texas (41,640) and Illinois (27,920) came next[14].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ had the highest median at $167,890[15]. Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT ($133,530) and Glens Falls, NY ($107,070) followed[15]. The New York area also had the most jobs at 59,450[16].

Show median pay in 47 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
New York[13]$168,34055,630
Massachusetts$100,31014,510
Illinois$99,84027,920
Connecticut$98,5605,730
Vermont$88,280240
South Dakota$86,780730
Delaware$83,7502,300
Minnesota$83,3508,820
Nebraska$82,5602,150
New Jersey$82,42015,230
California$79,73055,860
New Hampshire$78,9301,530
Missouri$78,5008,770
Texas$78,47041,640
Oregon$76,7102,900
Alaska$76,360260
Oklahoma$76,0802,310
Kansas$75,8102,310
Washington$75,5108,770
Arizona$74,84014,600
North Carolina$74,04021,890
Wisconsin$74,0105,980
Michigan$73,4807,160
Ohio$73,30013,520
District of Columbia$72,0101,500
Pennsylvania$71,84015,510
Indiana$68,2906,460
Colorado$67,01012,360
Utah$64,6604,520
Idaho$64,6201,690
Iowa$64,2902,300
North Dakota$63,670740
Virginia$62,91011,320
Florida$62,77042,600
Maryland$61,6608,420
Nevada$61,4903,140
New Mexico$60,8501,690
Georgia$59,99014,950
Maine$59,970690
Kentucky$59,1105,340
Tennessee$58,05011,370
Hawaii$57,590420
South Carolina$55,3907,230
Arkansas$54,6602,330
West Virginia$50,050930
Alabama$49,2304,710
Louisiana$48,0404,130
Mississippi$46,6801,950

How to become a financial consultant

BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education. It lists no related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training[6].

Some employers require or prefer an MBA[20]. An MBA may help with advancement[21]. Employers often recommend certification, which may improve the chances of advancement[22].

In an ONET survey of 86 workers, 55% said a bachelor's degree was the education required and 27% said a high school diploma or equivalent[23]. ONET places the job in Job Zone Four, which means considerable preparation is needed[24].

What financial consultants do

O*NET describes the work as buying and selling securities or commodities, or providing financial services to businesses and individuals. It may include advising customers on stocks, bonds, mutual funds and market conditions[25]. Common tasks include:

Job titles that workers report include broker, financial advisor, investment representative and equity trader[7].

Where they work

These workers typically work in an office. Travel may be needed for work with companies elsewhere in the country or abroad[27]. Credit intermediation and related activities was the largest employer group at 54%[28].

BLS says the job involves many hours under stressful conditions. The pace is fast, and commissions and advancement are tied to sales[29]. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours a week[30]. Schedules can include evenings and weekends[30].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 1.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 531,000 to 538,500 jobs[4]. For all occupations, BLS projects 3.5% growth[31]. BLS names technology that lets workers analyze data more efficiently as a factor that lowers the share of jobs[32].

About 35,100 openings are projected each year[5]. Openings include jobs that come open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 2.4% of workers leave the labor force and 4.1% move to a different occupation[33].

The OEWS count in May 2025 was about 489,570 jobs[34]. The projection count is higher. It comes from a different measure and includes self-employed workers[4].

Is it a good fit?

Median pay is well above the all-occupations median, and the top end is high[1][2][3]. Entry usually takes a bachelor's degree and employer training[6][18]. Growth is slower than the all-occupations rate[4][31]. BLS also describes long hours, a fast pace and pay tied to sales[29]. The facts suggest it suits someone comfortable with that kind of pressure.

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[35].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a financial consultant make?
BLS lists them with securities, commodities and financial services sales agents. The median was $78,660 a year in May 2025[1].
How much does a financial consultant make an hour?
The median was $37.82 an hour[1].
What degree do you need to be a financial consultant?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education[6]. Business is a common field[17].
Do you need a license?
Generally yes for selling financial products or services, though it may apply only to some positions. Most licenses need employer sponsorship, so they are not expected before starting[19].
What is the highest paying state for financial consultants?
New York, with a median of $168,340[13]. Massachusetts was next at $100,310[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents in the US was $78,660 per year and $37.82 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents: 10th percentile $48,040, 25th percentile $56,540, 75th percentile $129,950, 90th percentile $212,880. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents is projected to grow 1.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 531,000 to 538,500 jobs (a change of +7,500). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 35,100 openings for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. O*NET 41-3031.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Broker, Commodities Broker, Equity Trader, Financial Advisor, Financial Consultant, Investment Representative, Investments Advisor, Investments Specialist. O*NET OnLine
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents was $109,150 per year and $52.48 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents: 10th percentile $23.10, 25th percentile $27.18, 75th percentile $62.48, 90th percentile $102.35. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS Employment Projections: 6% of Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  13. Median annual wage for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents jobs: California 55,860; New York 55,630; Florida 42,600; Texas 41,640; Illinois 27,920. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents (areas with at least 100 jobs): New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $167,890; Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $133,530; Glens Falls, NY $107,070; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $102,290; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $101,200; Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $100,760; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $100,030; Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $97,670. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 59,450 (median $167,890); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 24,080 (median $100,760); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 21,050 (median $78,160); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 15,370 (median $86,740); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 14,190 (median $63,790); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 12,220 (median $77,780). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 41-3031.00 survey of workers (86 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 55%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 27%, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate 6%, Some College Courses 6% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET 41-3031.00: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET description of Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents. O*NET OnLine
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents in 2025: Credit intermediation and related activities 54%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  32. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents: Productivity change - share decreases as technology allows workers to analyze data more efficiently. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents: 2.4% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 489,570 people were employed as Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  35. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.