90% OFF - $9.99
11:59:59
Claim Lifetime Deal
2026 Salary Data — San Francisco, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Financial Planner Salary in San Francisco: $149K Median

Financial Planners in San Francisco, CA earn between $97K and $246K per year.

That's +55% above the US national median of $96,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Financial Planner salary in San Francisco, CA is $148,800 per year — +55% above the US national median of $96,000. Salaries range from $96,720 (entry, 25th percentile) to $245,520 (90th percentile). Financial Planners in San Francisco earned approximately $29,176 in 2025, representing 410.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$148,800
+410.0% YoY · $12,400/mo
Entry
$116,064
0–2 years
Experienced
$196,416
5+ years
Top 10%
$245,520
Senior/lead
Financial Planner Salary — San Francisco vs Nearby
San Francisco
$149K
Los Angeles
$123K
+21% vs San Francisco
San Diego
$113K
+31% vs San Francisco
Fresno
$91K
+63% vs San Francisco

Free ATS scan · San Francisco employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Financial Planners in San Francisco

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

San Francisco Job Market

Global tech capital with highest tech salaries in the US, especially AI/ML.

Population
873K
Cost of Living
244
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$1300K

Top Industries in San Francisco

Tech (FAANG, AI)FinanceBiotechTourism

Top Employers Hiring Financial Planners

Major employers active in San Francisco 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 — San Francisco

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$96,720$148,800$245,520
Monthly$8,060$12,400$20,460
Weekly$1,860$2,862$4,722
Hourly$47$72$118

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($96,000) adjusted for San Francisco's cost-of-living multiplier (1.55×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Financial Planner Take-Home Pay in San Francisco

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$104,177.8
Per month$8,681
Biweekly paycheck$4,007
Effective tax rate30.0%

Tax Breakdown on $148,800

Gross salary$148,800
Federal income tax−$25,055
California state tax−$8,184
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$11,383.2
Take-home (net)$104,177.8

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 — San Francisco

Career-stage progression for Financial Planners in San Francisco.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$106,779
2–3 yr$116,064
4–6 yr$156,240
7–10 yr$196,416
11–15 yr$231,771
15+ yr$220,968

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for San Francisco's 1.55× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+410.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$29,176
2026 median:$148,800
Change:+$119,624

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

Is This A Good Salary?

Livable middle-class

Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$60,984
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 San Francisco

Walk-away anchor: $132,857 (offers below this are below market for San Francisco).

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 $196K–$246K for experienced roles, citing San Francisco market data and your specific CFP designation/tax planning expertise.

Financial Planner Salary FAQ — San Francisco

What is the average Financial Planner salary in San Francisco, CA?
The average Financial Planner salary in San Francisco is $148,800 per year as of April 2026 — $12,400/month, $2,862/week, or about $72/hour. Salaries range from $96,720 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $245,520 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for San Francisco's cost-of-living multiplier (1.55×).
Is $148,800 a good Financial Planner salary in San Francisco?
Livable middle-class. Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline. San Francisco's cost-of-living index is 244 (vs 100 nationally), giving $148,800 a real purchasing power of approximately $60,984 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 $148,800 in San Francisco?
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 San Francisco specifically (median home price $1,300,000), a $148,800 salary supports a moderate lifestyle with careful budgeting.
Is $148,800 enough for a single person in San Francisco?
A single adult in San Francisco typically needs ~$109,800 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $148,800 salary is above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with reasonable budgeting.
Is $148,800 enough for a couple in San Francisco?
A couple (one earner) in San Francisco typically needs ~$175,680 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $148,800 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most couples at this level need both partners working or significant lifestyle adjustments. Two earners at $148,800 each ($297,600 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $148,800 enough for a family of 4 in San Francisco?
A family of 4 (one earner) in San Francisco typically needs ~$268,400 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $148,800 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 San Francisco. Childcare costs in San Francisco typically run $37K-$68K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Financial Planner in San Francisco?
On a $148,800 Financial Planner salary in San Francisco, CA, you take home approximately $104,177.8 per year ($8,681/month, $4,007 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $25,055, state $8,184, FICA $11,383.2. Effective tax rate: 30.0%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Financial Planners in San Francisco earn compared to the US average?
Financial Planners in San Francisco earn approximately 55% more than the US national median for this role ($96,000 nationally vs $148,800 in San Francisco). However, San Francisco's cost-of-living index of 244 means real purchasing power is approximately $60,984 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Financial Planner earn in San Francisco?
Entry-level Financial Planners in San Francisco typically start at around $116,064 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Financial Planners earn $196,416 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $245,520+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Financial Planner salaries in San Francisco increase in 2026?
Yes — Financial Planner salaries in San Francisco grew approximately 410.0% year-over-year, from $29,176 in 2025 to $148,800 in 2026 (+$119,624). 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 San Francisco?
Financial planner roles projected to grow 13% through 2034. Aging baby boomers and growing wealth transfer driving strong demand for CFPs. San Francisco's top industries include Tech (FAANG, AI), Finance, Biotech, 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 San Francisco.
Who are the top employers hiring Financial Planners in San Francisco?
Top employers hiring Financial Planners in or near San Francisco 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 San Francisco?
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 San Francisco?
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 San Francisco?
Bachelor's degree + CFP certification is the typical path. However, San Francisco'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 San Francisco are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($96,000) by San Francisco's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.55× — 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 San Francisco

Financial Analyst →Accountant →Real Estate Agent →

Financial Planner Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$123KSan Diego, CA$113KFresno, CA$91KSacramento, CA$104KLong Beach, CA$115KOakland, CA$134K

Land a $149K+ Financial Planner Role in San Francisco

Knowing the salary is step one. Step two: getting past the ATS. CVCraft scans your resume, finds missing keywords, and fixes formatting issues in 60 seconds.

Scan My Resume Free

No signup required · Works for all Finance roles