Personal Financial Advisors vs. Accountants and Auditors: Who Earns More?
Personal Financial Advisors out-earn Accountants and Auditors by $21K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Personal Financial Advisors land at $105,070 and Accountants and Auditors at $83,680. The education gap is real: personal financial advisor programs typically require bachelor's degree, while accountants and auditor programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Personal Financial Advisors is New York ($166,400); for Accountants and Auditors it's District of Columbia ($111,530).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Personal Financial Advisors median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Personal Financial Advisors or Accountants and Auditors?
Personal Financial Advisors earn more nationally. The median is $105,070 for Personal Financial Advisors versus $83,680 for Accountants and Auditors, a difference of $21K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Personal Financial Advisors or Accountants and Auditors?
Personal Financial Advisors has the better 10-year outlook at 9.6% projected growth, compared to 4.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Personal Financial Advisors or Accountants and Auditors?
Personal Financial Advisors typically requires bachelor's degree. Accountants and Auditors requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Personal Financial Advisors get paid the most?
New York is the top-paying state for Personal Financial Advisors at $166,400/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Personal Financial Advisors vs. Accountants and Auditors pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In New York, Personal Financial Advisors earn $166,400 vs. $102,640 for Accountants and Auditors. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.