GITNUXREPORT 2026

Financial Planning Industry Statistics

The financial planning industry is growing robustly across global markets and expanding its technology adoption.

Rajesh Patel

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

65 million Americans use financial advisors.

Statistic 2

28% of U.S. households have a financial planner.

Statistic 3

Millennials represent 40% of new advisory clients.

Statistic 4

Average client age for advisors: 62 years.

Statistic 5

High-net-worth clients (>$1M) make up 25% of portfolios.

Statistic 6

55% of Gen Z seek financial advice digitally.

Statistic 7

Women control 51% of U.S. investable assets.

Statistic 8

37% of clients aged 55+ prioritize retirement planning.

Statistic 9

Average client net worth: $2.5 million.

Statistic 10

62% of clients prefer fee-only advisors.

Statistic 11

Hispanic clients grew 20% in advisory relationships.

Statistic 12

45% of clients under 50 use robo-advisors.

Statistic 13

Baby Boomers hold 52% of U.S. wealth.

Statistic 14

30% increase in mass affluent clients since 2020.

Statistic 15

Female clients prefer holistic planning (68%).

Statistic 16

Average number of clients per advisor: 125.

Statistic 17

25% of clients are under 40 years old.

Statistic 18

Retirees comprise 40% of advisory client base.

Statistic 19

72% of clients value ESG factors in planning.

Statistic 20

U.S. financial advisors numbered 330,000 in 2023.

Statistic 21

CFP professionals reached 94,000 worldwide in 2023.

Statistic 22

Average salary for financial planners $99,580 in 2023.

Statistic 23

70% of financial advisors are male, 30% female in U.S.

Statistic 24

Financial planner job growth projected at 15% by 2032.

Statistic 25

25% of advisors plan to retire by 2026.

Statistic 26

Median age of U.S. financial advisors is 59 years.

Statistic 27

40% of advisors work independently or in RIA firms.

Statistic 28

Entry-level financial planner salary averages $60,000 annually.

Statistic 29

ChFC professionals number over 20,000 in U.S.

Statistic 30

15% annual increase in female CFP certificants since 2018.

Statistic 31

Average work hours for advisors: 48 per week.

Statistic 32

60% of advisors have 10+ years experience.

Statistic 33

Job openings for financial advisors: 27,700 per year.

Statistic 34

Top 10% financial planners earn over $239,200 annually.

Statistic 35

35% of advisors are self-employed.

Statistic 36

Certification holders grew 5% YoY to 2023.

Statistic 37

Average tenure at firm: 8 years for planners.

Statistic 38

20,000 new financial advisor jobs created in 2023.

Statistic 39

45-54 age group largest in advisor workforce (28%).

Statistic 40

The U.S. financial planning industry managed over $54 trillion in assets under management as of 2023.

Statistic 41

Global financial advisory market projected to reach $48.9 billion by 2028.

Statistic 42

U.S. RIA assets grew 12% YoY to $119 trillion in 2023.

Statistic 43

Financial planning services market in North America valued at $15.2 billion in 2022.

Statistic 44

Robo-advisory market expected to grow at 31.3% CAGR to 2030.

Statistic 45

U.S. wealth management market size reached $1.5 trillion in revenue in 2022.

Statistic 46

Personal financial planning software market to hit $4.8 billion by 2027.

Statistic 47

Fee-only financial planners' AUM grew 14% in 2023.

Statistic 48

Global financial planning market CAGR of 7.2% from 2023-2030.

Statistic 49

U.S. financial advisor industry revenue topped $70 billion in 2023.

Statistic 50

Holistic financial planning market in Europe valued at €12 billion in 2022.

Statistic 51

Digital financial planning platforms market to grow 25% annually.

Statistic 52

U.S. retirement planning segment worth $25 billion in 2023.

Statistic 53

Financial planning for high-net-worth individuals market at $8.5 billion.

Statistic 54

Asia-Pacific financial advisory market to reach $20 billion by 2025.

Statistic 55

U.S. financial planners' average AUM per advisor $150 million in 2023.

Statistic 56

Sustainable investing in financial planning reached $35 trillion globally.

Statistic 57

Tax planning services market valued at $10.2 billion in 2022.

Statistic 58

Estate planning software market growing at 9.5% CAGR.

Statistic 59

U.S. financial planning industry added $5 trillion in new assets in 2023.

Statistic 60

68% of U.S. states have fiduciary standards for advisors.

Statistic 61

SEC Reg BI compliance at 98% for broker-dealers.

Statistic 62

45% increase in compliance officers since DOL rule.

Statistic 63

Average compliance cost per advisor: $250,000 annually.

Statistic 64

85% of firms updated policies for ESG disclosures.

Statistic 65

Form ADV filings grew 10% in 2023.

Statistic 66

20% of advisors fined for compliance lapses in 2022.

Statistic 67

GDPR impacts 30% of global planning firms.

Statistic 68

AML training mandatory for 100% of U.S. advisors.

Statistic 69

75% adoption of cybersecurity compliance frameworks.

Statistic 70

Fiduciary oath signed by 90% of NAPFA members.

Statistic 71

15 new state fiduciary laws since 2020.

Statistic 72

Audit frequency: annual for 65% of RIAs.

Statistic 73

50% reduction in exam pass rates post-new standards.

Statistic 74

Crypto regulation affects 25% of planning portfolios.

Statistic 75

95% of firms have written compliance manuals.

Statistic 76

DOL retirement security rule compliance 92%.

Statistic 77

85% of advisors use CRM software daily.

Statistic 78

60% adoption rate of AI tools in financial planning.

Statistic 79

Robo-advisors manage $1.2 trillion in assets.

Statistic 80

75% of firms use cloud-based planning tools.

Statistic 81

Blockchain in financial planning pilots at 15% of firms.

Statistic 82

Mobile apps used by 90% of advisors for client comms.

Statistic 83

50% growth in fintech startups for planning in 2023.

Statistic 84

Video conferencing in 95% of planning meetings post-COVID.

Statistic 85

40% of advisors integrate ESG data analytics.

Statistic 86

API integrations in 70% of advisory platforms.

Statistic 87

Cybersecurity spending up 25% in planning firms.

Statistic 88

65% use automated rebalancing tools.

Statistic 89

Digital onboarding adopted by 80% of RIAs.

Statistic 90

Predictive analytics in 55% of planning processes.

Statistic 91

30% of firms use VR for client education.

Statistic 92

CRM market for advisors worth $15 billion.

Statistic 93

92% satisfaction with planning software usability.

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Commanding over $54 trillion in assets and navigating everything from AI-powered robo-advisors to a rapidly changing demographic landscape, the financial planning industry is not just growing—it's fundamentally transforming how we secure our futures.

Key Takeaways

  • The U.S. financial planning industry managed over $54 trillion in assets under management as of 2023.
  • Global financial advisory market projected to reach $48.9 billion by 2028.
  • U.S. RIA assets grew 12% YoY to $119 trillion in 2023.
  • U.S. financial advisors numbered 330,000 in 2023.
  • CFP professionals reached 94,000 worldwide in 2023.
  • Average salary for financial planners $99,580 in 2023.
  • 65 million Americans use financial advisors.
  • 28% of U.S. households have a financial planner.
  • Millennials represent 40% of new advisory clients.
  • 85% of advisors use CRM software daily.
  • 60% adoption rate of AI tools in financial planning.
  • Robo-advisors manage $1.2 trillion in assets.
  • 68% of U.S. states have fiduciary standards for advisors.
  • SEC Reg BI compliance at 98% for broker-dealers.
  • 45% increase in compliance officers since DOL rule.

The financial planning industry is growing robustly across global markets and expanding its technology adoption.

Client Demographics

  • 65 million Americans use financial advisors.
  • 28% of U.S. households have a financial planner.
  • Millennials represent 40% of new advisory clients.
  • Average client age for advisors: 62 years.
  • High-net-worth clients (>$1M) make up 25% of portfolios.
  • 55% of Gen Z seek financial advice digitally.
  • Women control 51% of U.S. investable assets.
  • 37% of clients aged 55+ prioritize retirement planning.
  • Average client net worth: $2.5 million.
  • 62% of clients prefer fee-only advisors.
  • Hispanic clients grew 20% in advisory relationships.
  • 45% of clients under 50 use robo-advisors.
  • Baby Boomers hold 52% of U.S. wealth.
  • 30% increase in mass affluent clients since 2020.
  • Female clients prefer holistic planning (68%).
  • Average number of clients per advisor: 125.
  • 25% of clients are under 40 years old.
  • Retirees comprise 40% of advisory client base.
  • 72% of clients value ESG factors in planning.

Client Demographics Interpretation

The financial planning industry is a fascinating, if slightly geriatric, cocktail party where a graying host is trying to charm a younger, digitally-savvy, and increasingly diverse crowd who just walked in, while anxiously eyeing the fortune Baby Boomers are still holding by the punch bowl.

Employment

  • U.S. financial advisors numbered 330,000 in 2023.
  • CFP professionals reached 94,000 worldwide in 2023.
  • Average salary for financial planners $99,580 in 2023.
  • 70% of financial advisors are male, 30% female in U.S.
  • Financial planner job growth projected at 15% by 2032.
  • 25% of advisors plan to retire by 2026.
  • Median age of U.S. financial advisors is 59 years.
  • 40% of advisors work independently or in RIA firms.
  • Entry-level financial planner salary averages $60,000 annually.
  • ChFC professionals number over 20,000 in U.S.
  • 15% annual increase in female CFP certificants since 2018.
  • Average work hours for advisors: 48 per week.
  • 60% of advisors have 10+ years experience.
  • Job openings for financial advisors: 27,700 per year.
  • Top 10% financial planners earn over $239,200 annually.
  • 35% of advisors are self-employed.
  • Certification holders grew 5% YoY to 2023.
  • Average tenure at firm: 8 years for planners.
  • 20,000 new financial advisor jobs created in 2023.
  • 45-54 age group largest in advisor workforce (28%).

Employment Interpretation

The industry is graying, well-paid, and still male-dominated, but a slow and steady infusion of young, certified, and increasingly female talent is beginning to rewrite the script for who gets to manage your money.

Market Size

  • The U.S. financial planning industry managed over $54 trillion in assets under management as of 2023.
  • Global financial advisory market projected to reach $48.9 billion by 2028.
  • U.S. RIA assets grew 12% YoY to $119 trillion in 2023.
  • Financial planning services market in North America valued at $15.2 billion in 2022.
  • Robo-advisory market expected to grow at 31.3% CAGR to 2030.
  • U.S. wealth management market size reached $1.5 trillion in revenue in 2022.
  • Personal financial planning software market to hit $4.8 billion by 2027.
  • Fee-only financial planners' AUM grew 14% in 2023.
  • Global financial planning market CAGR of 7.2% from 2023-2030.
  • U.S. financial advisor industry revenue topped $70 billion in 2023.
  • Holistic financial planning market in Europe valued at €12 billion in 2022.
  • Digital financial planning platforms market to grow 25% annually.
  • U.S. retirement planning segment worth $25 billion in 2023.
  • Financial planning for high-net-worth individuals market at $8.5 billion.
  • Asia-Pacific financial advisory market to reach $20 billion by 2025.
  • U.S. financial planners' average AUM per advisor $150 million in 2023.
  • Sustainable investing in financial planning reached $35 trillion globally.
  • Tax planning services market valued at $10.2 billion in 2022.
  • Estate planning software market growing at 9.5% CAGR.
  • U.S. financial planning industry added $5 trillion in new assets in 2023.

Market Size Interpretation

We're swimming in oceans of money, yet we keep inventing new, increasingly digital buckets to hold it, proving that while wealth may be measured in trillions, the human anxiety about managing it is truly priceless.

Regulations and Compliance

  • 68% of U.S. states have fiduciary standards for advisors.
  • SEC Reg BI compliance at 98% for broker-dealers.
  • 45% increase in compliance officers since DOL rule.
  • Average compliance cost per advisor: $250,000 annually.
  • 85% of firms updated policies for ESG disclosures.
  • Form ADV filings grew 10% in 2023.
  • 20% of advisors fined for compliance lapses in 2022.
  • GDPR impacts 30% of global planning firms.
  • AML training mandatory for 100% of U.S. advisors.
  • 75% adoption of cybersecurity compliance frameworks.
  • Fiduciary oath signed by 90% of NAPFA members.
  • 15 new state fiduciary laws since 2020.
  • Audit frequency: annual for 65% of RIAs.
  • 50% reduction in exam pass rates post-new standards.
  • Crypto regulation affects 25% of planning portfolios.
  • 95% of firms have written compliance manuals.
  • DOL retirement security rule compliance 92%.

Regulations and Compliance Interpretation

It appears the financial planning industry has armored itself in a fortress of compliance to protect clients, yet one in five advisors still managed to trip over the drawbridge last year.

Technology Adoption

  • 85% of advisors use CRM software daily.
  • 60% adoption rate of AI tools in financial planning.
  • Robo-advisors manage $1.2 trillion in assets.
  • 75% of firms use cloud-based planning tools.
  • Blockchain in financial planning pilots at 15% of firms.
  • Mobile apps used by 90% of advisors for client comms.
  • 50% growth in fintech startups for planning in 2023.
  • Video conferencing in 95% of planning meetings post-COVID.
  • 40% of advisors integrate ESG data analytics.
  • API integrations in 70% of advisory platforms.
  • Cybersecurity spending up 25% in planning firms.
  • 65% use automated rebalancing tools.
  • Digital onboarding adopted by 80% of RIAs.
  • Predictive analytics in 55% of planning processes.
  • 30% of firms use VR for client education.
  • CRM market for advisors worth $15 billion.
  • 92% satisfaction with planning software usability.

Technology Adoption Interpretation

The industry is frantically bolting AI, robo-advisors, and blockchain onto its now cloud-based, mobile-friendly, and video-conference-ready core, all while spending wildly on cybersecurity to protect the $15 billion CRM ecosystem that everyone actually seems to like using.

Sources & References