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2026 Salary Data — Cleveland, OH
Updated April 28, 2026

Financial Planner Salary in Cleveland: $88K Median

Financial Planners in Cleveland, OH earn between $57K and $146K per year.

That's -8% below the US national median of $96,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Financial Planner salary in Cleveland, OH is $88,320 per year — -8% below the US national median of $96,000. Salaries range from $57,408 (entry, 25th percentile) to $145,728 (90th percentile). Financial Planners in Cleveland earned approximately $17,318 in 2025, representing 410.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$88,320
+410.0% YoY · $7,360/mo
Entry
$68,890
0–2 years
Experienced
$116,582
5+ years
Top 10%
$145,728
Senior/lead
Financial Planner Salary — Cleveland vs Nearby
Cleveland
$88K
Columbus
$93K
-5% vs Cleveland
Oklahoma City
$84K
+5% vs Cleveland
Louisville
$87K
+1% vs Cleveland

Free ATS scan · Cleveland employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Financial Planners in Cleveland

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

Cleveland Job Market

Major medical hub anchored by Cleveland Clinic.

Population
372K
Cost of Living
88
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$175K

Top Industries in Cleveland

Healthcare (Cleveland Clinic)FinanceManufacturingTechEducation

Top Employers Hiring Financial Planners

Major employers active in Cleveland 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 — Cleveland

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$57,408$88,320$145,728
Monthly$4,784$7,360$12,144
Weekly$1,104$1,698$2,802
Hourly$28$42$70

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($96,000) adjusted for Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier (0.92×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Financial Planner Take-Home Pay in Cleveland

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$66,015.12
Per month$5,501
Biweekly paycheck$2,539
Effective tax rate25.3%

Tax Breakdown on $88,320

Gross salary$88,320
Federal income tax−$11,132.4
Ohio state tax−$2,208
Cleveland local tax−$2,208
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,756.48
Take-home (net)$66,015.12

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 — Cleveland

Career-stage progression for Financial Planners in Cleveland.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$63,379
2–3 yr$68,890
4–6 yr$92,736
7–10 yr$116,582
11–15 yr$137,567
15+ yr$131,155

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Cleveland's 0.92× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+410.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$17,318
2026 median:$88,320
Change:+$71,002

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

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$100,364
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Financial Planner Salary in Cleveland

Walk-away anchor: $78,857 (offers below this are below market for Cleveland).

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 $117K–$146K for experienced roles, citing Cleveland market data and your specific CFP designation/tax planning expertise.

Financial Planner Salary FAQ — Cleveland

What is the average Financial Planner salary in Cleveland, OH?
The average Financial Planner salary in Cleveland is $88,320 per year as of April 2026 — $7,360/month, $1,698/week, or about $42/hour. Salaries range from $57,408 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $145,728 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier (0.92×).
Is $88,320 a good Financial Planner salary in Cleveland?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Cleveland's cost-of-living index is 88 (vs 100 nationally), giving $88,320 a real purchasing power of approximately $100,364 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $88,320 in Cleveland?
Median local pay typically supports a single-earner family of four with a starter home, modest college savings, and standard healthcare costs covered. Stay under 25% of pre-tax income on rent. In this market, that is realistic on most professional salaries and leaves room for retirement contributions. For Cleveland specifically (median home price $175,000), a $88,320 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $88,320 enough for a single person in Cleveland?
A single adult in Cleveland typically needs ~$39,600 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $88,320 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $88,320 enough for a couple in Cleveland?
A couple (one earner) in Cleveland typically needs ~$63,360 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $88,320 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $88,320 each ($176,640 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $88,320 enough for a family of 4 in Cleveland?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Cleveland typically needs ~$96,800 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $88,320 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 Cleveland. Childcare costs in Cleveland typically run $13K-$25K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Financial Planner in Cleveland?
On a $88,320 Financial Planner salary in Cleveland, OH, you take home approximately $66,015.12 per year ($5,501/month, $2,539 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $11,132.4, state $2,208, local $2,208, FICA $6,756.48. Effective tax rate: 25.3%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Financial Planners in Cleveland earn compared to the US average?
Financial Planners in Cleveland earn approximately 8% less than the US national median for this role ($96,000 nationally vs $88,320 in Cleveland). However, Cleveland's cost-of-living index of 88 means real purchasing power is approximately $100,364 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Financial Planner earn in Cleveland?
Entry-level Financial Planners in Cleveland typically start at around $68,890 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Financial Planners earn $116,582 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $145,728+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Financial Planner salaries in Cleveland increase in 2026?
Yes — Financial Planner salaries in Cleveland grew approximately 410.0% year-over-year, from $17,318 in 2025 to $88,320 in 2026 (+$71,002). 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 Cleveland?
Financial planner roles projected to grow 13% through 2034. Aging baby boomers and growing wealth transfer driving strong demand for CFPs. Cleveland's top industries include Healthcare (Cleveland Clinic), Finance, Manufacturing, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
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 Cleveland.
Who are the top employers hiring Financial Planners in Cleveland?
Top employers hiring Financial Planners in or near Cleveland 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 Cleveland?
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 Cleveland?
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 Cleveland?
Bachelor's degree + CFP certification is the typical path. However, Cleveland'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 Cleveland are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($96,000) by Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.92× — 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 Cleveland

Financial Analyst →Accountant →Real Estate Agent →

Financial Planner Salary in Other Cities

San Antonio, TX$89KJacksonville, FL$88KColumbus, OH$93KIndianapolis, IN$89KDetroit, MI$89KMemphis, TN$84KOklahoma City, OK$84KLas Vegas, NV$91K

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