Personal Financial Advisors
O*NET 13-2052.00 · SOC 13-2052
Personal Financial Advisor is a solid career choice. Median pay is $105k a year with +1.4% projected growth through 2035 (slower than average) and about 17,100 openings a year. AI exposure: Elevated.
Bureau of Labor Statistics projections 2025–2035 · Data updated 2026-07-27
What You'd Actually Do
- →Assess client financial goals and risk tolerance
- →Develop personalized investment and savings strategies
- →Review and rebalance client portfolios regularly
- →Advise on tax planning, retirement, and estate strategies
- →Build and maintain long-term client relationships
Education & How to Get In
A bachelor's degree is the standard entry point for Personal Financial Advisor roles. Related majors and internship experience during college significantly improve your chances. Many employers also value relevant certifications or project portfolios alongside the degree.
Get Started Learning
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Work Environment
Leadership, offices, client meetings, or hybrid
Collaborative, frequent interaction with teams, clients, or patients
A Day in the Life
While every role varies by employer and specialization, a typical day as a Personal Financial Advisor involves a mix of core responsibilities:
Personality Fit (RIASEC)
Who Thrives as Personal Financial Advisor?
Based on the interests and work style this role actually demands, these personality types tend to fit it best. Salary and growth tell you if a career is worth entering; personality fit tells you whether you'll still want it in five years.
Not sure which you are? Take the 7-minute quiz →
See Open Personal Financial Advisor Roles
Browse live openings to get a feel for requirements and pay in your area.
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Job Outlook
Employment of Personal Financial Advisors is projected to grow 1.4% from 2025 to 2035, slower than average for all occupations. The BLS flags this as a Bright Outlook occupation.
Will AI Replace This Job?
- ·38% routine cognitive tasks, high automation target
- ·41% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace
- ·Industry sector with high AI adoption trajectory
Scored from the mix of routine, creative, physical and social tasks the role involves, adjusted for sector and projected growth. An estimate, not a forecast.
Common Questions
How much does a Personal Financial Advisor make?
The median Personal Financial Advisor earns $105k a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. Half earn more than that and half earn less, and pay varies considerably by state, industry and experience.
Will AI replace Personal Financial Advisor jobs?
Our model puts Personal Financial Advisor at 47 out of 100 for automation exposure, which is elevated disruption risk. The main drivers: 38% routine cognitive tasks, high automation target; 41% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace.
Is Personal Financial Advisor a growing field?
Employment is projected to grow 1.4% between 2025 and 2035, which is slower than average. That works out to roughly 17,100 openings a year, counting both new positions and people leaving the occupation.
What degree do you need to be a Personal Financial Advisor?
A bachelor's degree is the standard entry point for Personal Financial Advisor roles, and relevant internships matter as much as the subject.
How long does it take to become a Personal Financial Advisor?
Typically about four years, typically a bachelor's degree. O*NET classes this role as Job Zone 4 of 5, which describes how much preparation people in it usually have.
Is a Personal Financial Advisor career right for you?
Your personality, values, and strengths matter as much as the job market. Take the quiz to see your personalized Future-Fit Score for this career and hundreds more.
Take the assessment →Free to take · Matches $9 · No account required · 7 minutes