2026 Salary — North Carolina
Updated April 29, 2026
Financial Planner Salary in North Carolina: $93K Median
Financial Planners in North Carolina earn between $61K and $154K per year.
That's -3% below the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Financial Planner salary in North Carolina is $93,120 per year — -3% below the US national median of $96,000. Salaries range from $60,528 (entry, 25th percentile) to $153,648 (90th percentile). North Carolina's cost-of-living index is 95. State income tax applies.
Median
$93,120
+410.0% YoY
Entry
$72,634
Experienced
$122,918
Top 10%
$153,648
About Financial Planners in North Carolina
Financial planners help individuals and families plan for retirement, investments, taxes, and estate goals. CFP-track planners deliver holistic, fiduciary-grade advice.
Hot 2026 Skills
CFP designationtax planningestate planningfee-only RIA modelfinancial planning software (eMoney, RightCapital)behavioral finance
ATS Keywords
CFPfinancial planningretirement planninginvestment managementwealth managementfiduciarytax planningestate planningSeries 65client relationships
How to Negotiate Your Financial Planner Salary in North Carolina
Walk-away anchor: $83,143.
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
Negotiate Beyond Base
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
Financial Planner Salary FAQ — North Carolina
What is the average Financial Planner salary in North Carolina?
The average Financial Planner salary in North Carolina is $93,120 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $60,528 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $153,648 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Financial Planner pay in North Carolina compare to the US average?
Financial Planners in North Carolina earn approximately 3% less than the US national median ($96,000 nationally vs $93,120 in North Carolina). North Carolina's cost-of-living index of 95 is close to the national average.
Did Financial Planner salaries in North Carolina increase in 2026?
Yes — Financial Planner salaries in North Carolina grew approximately 410.0% year-over-year, from $18,259 in 2025 to $93,120 in 2026. This reflects the broader Finance sector's wage growth, driven by CFP designation and tax planning demand.
Which North Carolina cities pay Financial Planners the most?
Top-paying North Carolina metros for Financial Planners: Charlotte ($98K), Raleigh ($101K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Financial Planners in North Carolina?
Financial planner roles projected to grow 13% through 2034. Aging baby boomers and growing wealth transfer driving strong demand for CFPs. North Carolina's top industries include Finance/Banking, Tech (Research Triangle), Pharmaceuticals, and the state's unemployment rate is 3.6% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
Does North Carolina have state income tax?
Yes, North Carolina has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $93,120, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.
What skills are most in demand for Financial Planners in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: CFP designation, tax planning, estate planning, fee-only RIA model, financial planning software (eMoney, RightCapital), behavioral finance. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with North Carolina employers.
How can I increase my Financial Planner salary in North Carolina?
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? Beyond base, negotiate: 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. Walk-away anchor for North Carolina: $83,143.
Methodology
North Carolina Financial Planner salary is the BLS national median ($96,000) adjusted by North Carolina's state multiplier (0.97×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Financial Planner Salary in Other States
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