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Why Get Certified
Salary & Stats
Financial planners are in high demand. In today's economy, people are increasingly partnering with financial planners to ensure a confident financial future.
By achieving the CFP® certification, you can propel your career to the next level by better serving your clients and unlocking additional earning potential.
Earn More With CFP® Certification
A career in financial planning is an investment that will impact your income for years to come.
CFP® professionals could earn even more.1
5-10 Years
$149K
The median income for a financial planner with 5 to 10 years of experience.1
11–20 Years
$239k
The median income for a financial planner with 10-20 years of experience.1
20+ Years
$359k
The median income for a financial planner with over 20 years of experience.1
Salary Calculator
Check out our salary calculator to see what you can earn as a CFP® professional.
Start Your Journey as a CFP® Professional
Join the ranks of more than 100,000 CFP® professionals who are enjoying the rewards that come with getting certified. Create your free account to access valuable resources and track you progress.
How Are Financial Planners Compensated?
Two of the compensation methods for financial planners are salaries and payouts.
- Some companies compensate their financial planners as salaried employees.
- Other companies compensate their financial planners based on a percentage of the revenue they generate. This payout method rewards productivity and business development success.
- For new advisors, most companies offer some period of time where compensation is guaranteed through salaries.2
Justin on the Value of CFP® Certification
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My career would not be where it is without the CFP® [certification]... because it instills so much trust in the relationships I have with my clients and even my colleagues trust me more."
Justin Sullivan
CFP® Professional
CFP® Certification Sets You Apart
Anyone can call themselves a financial advisor. Only those who have met CFP Board's high standards for certification can call themselves a CFP® professional.
| Financial Advisor without certification | CFP® Professional |
|---|---|
| Anyone can call themselves a financial advisor | Meets requirements established by CFP Board |
| May not have committed to act as a fiduciary | Committed to CFP Board to fiduciary duty to act in clients’ best interests |
| 72% client satisfaction | 87% client satisfaction |
| Lower compensation on average | Earns 13% more than other financial planners ¹ |
Sources
- CFP Board, 2025 Compensation Study Highlights
- CFP Board, Guide to Careers in Financial Planning
- U.S. News & World Report, “What is a financial advisor?”
Start Your Journey to CFP® Certification
- Track your progress with the CFP® Certification Tracker
- Post your resume at the Career Center
- Connect with a mentor who can guide you
- Register and prepare for the exam
- Find career and financial support
- Connect with other candidates at our online forum