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2026 Salary Data — Houston, TX
Updated April 28, 2026

Financial Planner Salary in Houston: $101K Median

Financial Planners in Houston, TX earn between $66K and $166K per year.

That's +5% above the US national median of $96,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Financial Planner salary in Houston, TX is $100,800 per year — +5% above the US national median of $96,000. Salaries range from $65,520 (entry, 25th percentile) to $166,320 (90th percentile). Financial Planners in Houston earned approximately $19,765 in 2025, representing 410.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$100,800
+410.0% YoY · $8,400/mo
Entry
$78,624
0–2 years
Experienced
$133,056
5+ years
Top 10%
$166,320
Senior/lead
Financial Planner Salary — Houston vs Nearby
Houston
$101K
San Antonio
$89K
+13% vs Houston
Dallas
$101K
+0% vs Houston
Austin
$110K
-9% vs Houston

Free ATS scan · Houston employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Financial Planners in Houston

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

Houston Job Market

Energy capital with massive medical center and growing tech presence.

Population
2320K
Cost of Living
96
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$320K

Top Industries in Houston

Energy/Oil & GasHealthcareAerospace (NASA)Manufacturing

Top Employers Hiring Financial Planners

Major employers active in Houston 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 — Houston

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$65,520$100,800$166,320
Monthly$5,460$8,400$13,860
Weekly$1,260$1,938$3,198
Hourly$32$48$80

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($96,000) adjusted for Houston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Financial Planner Take-Home Pay in Houston

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$79,210.8
Per month$6,601
Biweekly paycheck$3,047
Effective tax rate21.4%

Tax Breakdown on $100,800

Gross salary$100,800
Federal income tax−$13,878
Texas state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,711.2
Take-home (net)$79,210.8

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 — Houston

Career-stage progression for Financial Planners in Houston.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$72,334
2–3 yr$78,624
4–6 yr$105,840
7–10 yr$133,056
11–15 yr$157,006
15+ yr$149,688

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Houston's 1.05× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+410.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$19,765
2026 median:$100,800
Change:+$81,035

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
$105,000
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 Houston

Walk-away anchor: $90,000 (offers below this are below market for Houston).

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 $133K–$166K for experienced roles, citing Houston market data and your specific CFP designation/tax planning expertise.

Financial Planner Salary FAQ — Houston

What is the average Financial Planner salary in Houston, TX?
The average Financial Planner salary in Houston is $100,800 per year as of April 2026 — $8,400/month, $1,938/week, or about $48/hour. Salaries range from $65,520 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $166,320 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Houston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×).
Is $100,800 a good Financial Planner salary in Houston?
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. Houston's cost-of-living index is 96 (vs 100 nationally), giving $100,800 a real purchasing power of approximately $105,000 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 $100,800 in Houston?
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 Houston specifically (median home price $320,000), a $100,800 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $100,800 enough for a single person in Houston?
A single adult in Houston typically needs ~$43,200 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $100,800 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $100,800 enough for a couple in Houston?
A couple (one earner) in Houston typically needs ~$69,120 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $100,800 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $100,800 each ($201,600 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $100,800 enough for a family of 4 in Houston?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Houston typically needs ~$105,600 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $100,800 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 Houston. Childcare costs in Houston typically run $14K-$27K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Financial Planner in Houston?
On a $100,800 Financial Planner salary in Houston, TX, you take home approximately $79,210.8 per year ($6,601/month, $3,047 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $13,878, state $0, FICA $7,711.2. Effective tax rate: 21.4%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Financial Planners in Houston earn compared to the US average?
Financial Planners in Houston earn approximately 5% more than the US national median for this role ($96,000 nationally vs $100,800 in Houston). However, Houston's cost-of-living index of 96 means real purchasing power is approximately $105,000 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Financial Planner earn in Houston?
Entry-level Financial Planners in Houston typically start at around $78,624 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Financial Planners earn $133,056 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $166,320+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Financial Planner salaries in Houston increase in 2026?
Yes — Financial Planner salaries in Houston grew approximately 410.0% year-over-year, from $19,765 in 2025 to $100,800 in 2026 (+$81,035). 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 Houston?
Financial planner roles projected to grow 13% through 2034. Aging baby boomers and growing wealth transfer driving strong demand for CFPs. Houston's top industries include Energy/Oil & Gas, Healthcare, Aerospace (NASA), 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 Houston.
Who are the top employers hiring Financial Planners in Houston?
Top employers hiring Financial Planners in or near Houston 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 Houston?
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 Houston?
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 Houston?
Bachelor's degree + CFP certification is the typical path. However, Houston'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 Houston are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($96,000) by Houston's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.05× — 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 Houston

Financial Analyst →Accountant →Real Estate Agent →

Financial Planner Salary in Other Cities

Chicago, IL$101KPhiladelphia, PA$100KSan Antonio, TX$89KDallas, TX$101KAustin, TX$110KFort Worth, TX$98KCharlotte, NC$98KEl Paso, TX$82K

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