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2026 Salary Data — Denver, CO
Updated April 28, 2026

Financial Planner Salary in Denver: $106K Median

Financial Planners in Denver, CO earn between $69K and $174K per year.

That's +10% above the US national median of $96,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Financial Planner salary in Denver, CO is $105,600 per year — +10% above the US national median of $96,000. Salaries range from $68,640 (entry, 25th percentile) to $174,240 (90th percentile). Financial Planners in Denver earned approximately $20,706 in 2025, representing 410.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$105,600
+410.0% YoY · $8,800/mo
Entry
$82,368
0–2 years
Experienced
$139,392
5+ years
Top 10%
$174,240
Senior/lead
Financial Planner Salary — Denver vs Nearby
Denver
$106K
Colorado Springs
$96K
+10% vs Denver
Baltimore
$106K
+0% vs Denver
Austin
$110K
-4% vs Denver

Free ATS scan · Denver employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Financial Planners in Denver

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

Denver Job Market

Growing tech and aerospace hub with strong outdoor lifestyle appeal.

Population
716K
Cost of Living
115
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.6%
Median Home
$575K

Top Industries in Denver

AerospaceTechEnergyFinanceTourism

Top Employers Hiring Financial Planners

Major employers active in Denver 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 — Denver

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$68,640$105,600$174,240
Monthly$5,720$8,800$14,520
Weekly$1,320$2,031$3,351
Hourly$33$51$84

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($96,000) adjusted for Denver's cost-of-living multiplier (1.10×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Financial Planner Take-Home Pay in Denver

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$77,941.2
Per month$6,495
Biweekly paycheck$2,998
Effective tax rate26.2%

Tax Breakdown on $105,600

Gross salary$105,600
Federal income tax−$14,934
Colorado state tax−$4,646.4
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,078.4
Take-home (net)$77,941.2

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 — Denver

Career-stage progression for Financial Planners in Denver.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$75,779
2–3 yr$82,368
4–6 yr$110,880
7–10 yr$139,392
11–15 yr$164,483
15+ yr$156,816

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Denver's 1.10× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+410.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$20,706
2026 median:$105,600
Change:+$84,894

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
$91,826
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Financial Planner Salary in Denver

Walk-away anchor: $94,286 (offers below this are below market for Denver).

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 $139K–$174K for experienced roles, citing Denver market data and your specific CFP designation/tax planning expertise.

Financial Planner Salary FAQ — Denver

What is the average Financial Planner salary in Denver, CO?
The average Financial Planner salary in Denver is $105,600 per year as of April 2026 — $8,800/month, $2,031/week, or about $51/hour. Salaries range from $68,640 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $174,240 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Denver's cost-of-living multiplier (1.10×).
Is $105,600 a good Financial Planner salary in Denver?
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. Denver's cost-of-living index is 115 (vs 100 nationally), giving $105,600 a real purchasing power of approximately $91,826 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $105,600 in Denver?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Denver specifically (median home price $575,000), a $105,600 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $105,600 enough for a single person in Denver?
A single adult in Denver typically needs ~$51,750 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $105,600 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $105,600 enough for a couple in Denver?
A couple (one earner) in Denver typically needs ~$82,800 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $105,600 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $105,600 each ($211,200 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $105,600 enough for a family of 4 in Denver?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Denver typically needs ~$126,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $105,600 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 Denver. Childcare costs in Denver typically run $17K-$32K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Financial Planner in Denver?
On a $105,600 Financial Planner salary in Denver, CO, you take home approximately $77,941.2 per year ($6,495/month, $2,998 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $14,934, state $4,646.4, FICA $8,078.4. Effective tax rate: 26.2%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Financial Planners in Denver earn compared to the US average?
Financial Planners in Denver earn approximately 10% more than the US national median for this role ($96,000 nationally vs $105,600 in Denver). However, Denver's cost-of-living index of 115 means real purchasing power is approximately $91,826 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Financial Planner earn in Denver?
Entry-level Financial Planners in Denver typically start at around $82,368 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Financial Planners earn $139,392 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $174,240+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Financial Planner salaries in Denver increase in 2026?
Yes — Financial Planner salaries in Denver grew approximately 410.0% year-over-year, from $20,706 in 2025 to $105,600 in 2026 (+$84,894). 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 Denver?
Financial planner roles projected to grow 13% through 2034. Aging baby boomers and growing wealth transfer driving strong demand for CFPs. Denver's top industries include Aerospace, Tech, Energy, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.6% — 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 Denver.
Who are the top employers hiring Financial Planners in Denver?
Top employers hiring Financial Planners in or near Denver 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 Denver?
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 Denver?
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 Denver?
Bachelor's degree + CFP certification is the typical path. However, Denver'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 Denver are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($96,000) by Denver's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.10× — 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 Denver

Financial Analyst →Accountant →Real Estate Agent →

Financial Planner Salary in Other Cities

Austin, TX$110KPortland, OR$106KBaltimore, MD$106KSacramento, CA$104KColorado Springs, CO$96KMinneapolis, MN$106K

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