Financial Consultant: career path and pay in the US
Where a Financial Consultant goes next, what each step typically pays in the United States, and how exposed the path is to AI replacement. 3 steps, from Financial Consultant to Senior Financial Consultant / Principal / Partner.
Also for the United Kingdom: Financial Consultant in the UK
The path
Step 1 · 0 to 3 years
Financial Consultant
$95K to $140K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Financial Consulting Certification (optional) - Global, CFA (in progress) - Global, CPA (optional) - US, ACCA (in progress) - UK/EU.
Step 2 · 3 to 7 years
Financial Consultant / Senior Financial Consultant
$140K to $205K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Financial Consulting Certification - Global, CFA - Global, CPA (optional) - US, ACCA - UK/EU.
Step 3 · 7+ years
Senior Financial Consultant / Principal / Partner
$155K to $230K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Financial Consulting Certification - Global, CFA - Global, CPA - US, ACCA - UK/EU.
Exposure and pay along the path
Exposure to AI, now to later
24% → 24%
Stays level across the path. Lower is better.
Typical pay, now to later
$95K to $140K → $155K to $230K
US estimates by job title, Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US. The published figure for Principal sat below the previous step, so this band is set 12% above it.
What the work involves
Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Mathematics
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Economics and Accounting
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Psychology
- Administration and Management
Education people bring
- Bachelor's Degree: 58%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate: 23%
- Master's Degree: 12%
Job Zone 4, job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Other paths from here
- Principal Consultant
- Partner
- CFO
- Financial Director
More Consulting paths in the US
Related occupations in O*NET: Financial and Investment Analysts, Credit Counselors, Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents, Investment Fund Managers, Financial Risk Specialists.
Your own role
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SourcesSalary bands: Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US, US national averages by job title, retrieved September 2026Skills, knowledge and education: O*NET 31.0 Database
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CC BY 4.0
Salary estimates by job title from Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale, retrieved September 2026. Each band runs from 20% below to 20% above the reported average, rounded to $5K. Exposure percentages and the skills listed under each step are this app's own editorial ratings, not published data.