Salary · Finance & Accounting
CFP (CFP Board) salary: what it pays (2026)
Indicative pay ranges for roles that commonly value CFP - broken down by role and by market. These are orientation figures, not a salary survey, so use them to compare and plan, then verify for your own city and year.
Indicative ranges for orientation only - not surveyed data, and not financial or career advice.
What CFP tends to pay
CFP professionals work in financial planning and advice, where pay varies widely by role, region, client base and whether compensation includes fees or commissions. The bands below are indicative for planning-oriented roles in the US, not precise figures, and senior or fee-heavy practices can sit well above them.
Pay by role (indicative)
| Financial Planner / Adviser | ~$70k-130k |
|---|---|
| Wealth Manager / Private Client Adviser | ~$90k-180k |
| Paraplanner (supporting role) | ~$55k-85k |
| Senior / Lead Financial Planner | ~$120k-200k+ |
Bands are indicative US figures unless stated. Actual pay depends on experience, employer, city and year.
Other markets (indicative)
| United States | ~$80k-180k |
|---|---|
| Canada | ~CA$60k-120k |
| Australia | ~A$80k-140k |
Jobs that often ask for it
- Financial Planner / Adviser
- Wealth Manager
- Retirement Planning Specialist
- Estate / Insurance Planning Adviser
- Paraplanner
Weigh the pay against the cost
Salary is only half the picture. Before you commit, check what CFP actually costs to sit and maintain, and where it can take you over a career.
- See the full fee breakdown in the CFP cost and overview (exam fee, retake, materials and renewal).
- Estimate your total spend, including a possible retake, with our exam cost calculator.