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2026 Salary Data — Boston, MA
Updated April 28, 2026

Financial Planner Salary in Boston: $125K Median

Financial Planners in Boston, MA earn between $81K and $206K per year.

That's +30% above the US national median of $96,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Financial Planner salary in Boston, MA is $124,800 per year — +30% above the US national median of $96,000. Salaries range from $81,120 (entry, 25th percentile) to $205,920 (90th percentile). Financial Planners in Boston earned approximately $24,471 in 2025, representing 410.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$124,800
+410.0% YoY · $10,400/mo
Entry
$97,344
0–2 years
Experienced
$164,736
5+ years
Top 10%
$205,920
Senior/lead
Financial Planner Salary — Boston vs Nearby
Boston
$125K
San Diego
$113K
+10% vs Boston
Seattle
$127K
-2% vs Boston
Long Beach
$115K
+8% vs Boston

Free ATS scan · Boston employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Financial Planners in Boston

Financial planners help individuals and families plan for retirement, investments, taxes, and estate goals. CFP-track planners deliver holistic, fiduciary-grade advice.

Core Responsibilities

  • Build comprehensive financial plans
  • Advise on retirement and investment strategy
  • Manage client portfolios and rebalancing
  • Coordinate tax and estate planning
  • Build long-term client relationships

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree + CFP certification

In-demand certifications

Certified Financial Planner (CFP)ChFCCFASeries 7/65/66CPA/PFS

Boston Job Market

Premier biotech, healthcare, and education hub with major tech presence.

Population
692K
Cost of Living
162
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.4%
Median Home
$750K

Top Industries in Boston

HealthcareEducationBiotechTechFinance

Top Employers Hiring Financial Planners

Major employers active in Boston or hiring remotely from this metro.

Fidelity
Vanguard
Charles Schwab
Edward Jones
Merrill Lynch
Morgan Stanley
RIAs (independent)
Northwestern Mutual

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Financial Planner listings.

CFP designationtax planningestate planningfee-only RIA modelfinancial planning software (eMoney, RightCapital)behavioral finance

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

CFPfinancial planningretirement planninginvestment managementwealth managementfiduciarytax planningestate planningSeries 65client relationships
Career Outlook
+13% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Financial planner roles projected to grow 13% through 2034. Aging baby boomers and growing wealth transfer driving strong demand for CFPs.

Financial Planner Salary Breakdown — Boston

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$81,120$124,800$205,920
Monthly$6,760$10,400$17,160
Weekly$1,560$2,400$3,960
Hourly$39$60$99

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($96,000) adjusted for Boston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.30×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Financial Planner Take-Home Pay in Boston

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$89,717.8
Per month$7,476
Biweekly paycheck$3,451
Effective tax rate28.1%

Tax Breakdown on $124,800

Gross salary$124,800
Federal income tax−$19,295
Massachusetts state tax−$6,240
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$9,547.2
Take-home (net)$89,717.8

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Financial Planner Salary by Experience — Boston

Career-stage progression for Financial Planners in Boston.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$89,556
2–3 yr$97,344
4–6 yr$131,040
7–10 yr$164,736
11–15 yr$194,388
15+ yr$185,328

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Boston's 1.30× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+410.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$24,471
2026 median:$124,800
Change:+$100,329

Finance sector growth driven by demand for CFP designation and tax planning.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$77,037
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Financial Planner Salary in Boston

Walk-away anchor: $111,429 (offers below this are below market for Boston).

Leverage Points

  • Bonus targets and historical payout percentages (ask for last 3 years actual)
  • Profit-share, carry, or AUM-linked compensation for senior roles
  • CFA, CPA, or Series licenses materially shift base compensation
  • Buyout of unvested deferred comp from your current employer

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Guaranteed first-year bonus (especially in IB, PE, hedge funds)Sign-on / make-whole for forfeited deferred compCarried interest or profit-share at PE/HF/VC firmsCFA / Series exam fees and study time off401(k) match and deferred comp plan

What To Say

"I'm walking away from $X in unvested deferred compensation if I leave now. Can we structure the offer with a sign-on that makes me whole, plus a guaranteed first-year bonus floor?"

Anchor on $165K–$206K for experienced roles, citing Boston market data and your specific CFP designation/tax planning expertise.

Financial Planner Salary FAQ — Boston

What is the average Financial Planner salary in Boston, MA?
The average Financial Planner salary in Boston is $124,800 per year as of April 2026 — $10,400/month, $2,400/week, or about $60/hour. Salaries range from $81,120 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $205,920 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Boston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.30×).
Is $124,800 a good Financial Planner salary in Boston?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Boston's cost-of-living index is 162 (vs 100 nationally), giving $124,800 a real purchasing power of approximately $77,037 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $124,800 in Boston?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Boston specifically (median home price $750,000), a $124,800 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $124,800 enough for a single person in Boston?
A single adult in Boston typically needs ~$72,900 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $124,800 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $124,800 enough for a couple in Boston?
A couple (one earner) in Boston typically needs ~$116,640 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $124,800 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $124,800 each ($249,600 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $124,800 enough for a family of 4 in Boston?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Boston typically needs ~$178,200 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $124,800 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Boston. Childcare costs in Boston typically run $24K-$45K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Financial Planner in Boston?
On a $124,800 Financial Planner salary in Boston, MA, you take home approximately $89,717.8 per year ($7,476/month, $3,451 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $19,295, state $6,240, FICA $9,547.2. Effective tax rate: 28.1%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Financial Planners in Boston earn compared to the US average?
Financial Planners in Boston earn approximately 30% more than the US national median for this role ($96,000 nationally vs $124,800 in Boston). However, Boston's cost-of-living index of 162 means real purchasing power is approximately $77,037 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Financial Planner earn in Boston?
Entry-level Financial Planners in Boston typically start at around $97,344 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Financial Planners earn $164,736 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $205,920+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Financial Planner salaries in Boston increase in 2026?
Yes — Financial Planner salaries in Boston grew approximately 410.0% year-over-year, from $24,471 in 2025 to $124,800 in 2026 (+$100,329). This reflects the broader Finance sector's compensation trend, driven by CFP designation and tax planning demand.
What's the job outlook for Financial Planners in Boston?
Financial planner roles projected to grow 13% through 2034. Aging baby boomers and growing wealth transfer driving strong demand for CFPs. Boston's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Biotech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.4% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Financial Planners in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Financial Planners are: CFP designation, tax planning, estate planning, fee-only RIA model, financial planning software (eMoney, RightCapital), behavioral finance. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Boston.
Who are the top employers hiring Financial Planners in Boston?
Top employers hiring Financial Planners in or near Boston include: Fidelity, Vanguard, Charles Schwab, Edward Jones, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Financial Planner salary in Boston?
I'm walking away from $X in unvested deferred compensation if I leave now. Can we structure the offer with a sign-on that makes me whole, plus a guaranteed first-year bonus floor? Key leverage points for Finance negotiations: Bonus targets and historical payout percentages (ask for last 3 years actual); Profit-share, carry, or AUM-linked compensation for senior roles; CFA, CPA, or Series licenses materially shift base compensation. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Guaranteed first-year bonus (especially in IB, PE, hedge funds), Sign-on / make-whole for forfeited deferred comp, Carried interest or profit-share at PE/HF/VC firms, CFA / Series exam fees and study time off.
How can I increase my Financial Planner salary in Boston?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (CFP designation, tax planning, estate planning) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or ChFC). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Financial Planner in Boston?
Bachelor's degree + CFP certification is the typical path. However, Boston's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Finance roles.

Methodology & Sources

Financial Planner salary figures for Boston are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($96,000) by Boston's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.30× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (410.0%) reflects the Finance sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Boston

Financial Analyst →Accountant →Real Estate Agent →

Financial Planner Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$123KSeattle, WA$127KWashington, DC$125K

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