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What Can You Do With a Financial Planning Degree? Jobs
Key takeaway: Financial planning is the client-facing version of [finance](/programs/finance): household cash flow, investments, retirement, insurance, taxes, and estate documents, assembled into a plan a person can actually follow. The bachelor's is commonly titled BS in Financial Planning or Financial Planning and Services (CIP 52.0804). It is not the same degree as corporate finance or investment banking. This degree does not license you to sell securities or insurance. Series 7, Series 66, state insurance licenses, and RIA registration are separate, employer-driven, and often required in the first 90 days on the job.
Calling yourself a Certified Financial Planner is illegal unless you hold CFP certification. The degree can satisfy the education requirement if the program is on the CFP Board’s registered list. Confirm that list against the specific catalog year, not a school’s marketing page.
Jobs you can get with a financial planning degree
| Occupation | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| Personal Financial Advisors | $105,070 |
| Financial Managers | $166,570 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $102,740 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $78,660 |
View the data behind this chart
| Occupation | Avg. annual openings |
|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | 124,200/yr |
| Financial Managers | 74,600/yr |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | 38,100/yr |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | 25,100/yr |
| Personal Financial Advisors | 24,100/yr |
| Loan Officers | 20,300/yr |
| Financial Examiners | 5,700/yr |
| Credit Counselors | 2,200/yr |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS national medians. Median means half of workers in the occupation earned more and half earned less.
Personal Financial Advisors. The national median annual wage was $105,070, with the 10th percentile at $50,190 and the 90th at $357,020 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS). Employment was 326,000 in 2024, projected to grow 9.6 percent through 2034, with 24,100 openings per year (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034). See how to become a personal financial advisor. Financial Managers. The national median annual wage was $166,570, with the 10th percentile at $94,310 and the 90th at $323,270 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS). Employment was 868,600 in 2024, projected to grow 14.8 percent through 2034, with 74,600 openings per year (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034). Financial and Investment Analysts. The national median annual wage was $102,740, with the 10th percentile at $63,720 and the 90th at $180,860 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS). Employment was 368,500 in 2024, projected to grow 5.7 percent through 2034, with 25,100 openings per year (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034). Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents. The national median annual wage was $78,660, with the 10th percentile at $48,040 and the 90th at $212,880 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS). Employment was 514,500 in 2024, projected to grow 3.3 percent through 2034, with 38,100 openings per year (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034).
The jobs this degree does not get you
This degree does not license you to sell securities or insurance. Series 7, Series 66, state insurance licenses, and RIA registration are separate, employer-driven, and often required in the first 90 days on the job.
What the degree level changes
The online bachelor’s in financial planning is the entry credential in this CIP. The online master’s in financial planning is the advancement or specialization credential. Compare finance, accounting, risk management before you enroll if those titles match the job you actually want.
Common questions
What jobs can you get with a financial planning degree?
Common occupations include personal financial advisors, financial managers, financial and investment analysts, securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents.
How much do financial planning majors make?
Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 OEWS national medians include $105,070 for personal financial advisors, $166,570 for financial managers, $102,740 for financial and investment analysts, $78,660 for securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents. Individual outcomes vary.
Data verified: September 7, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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