GITNUXREPORT 2026

Ria Wealth Management Industry Statistics

The RIA wealth management industry is rapidly expanding in both size and market dominance.

Jannik Lindner

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Average RIA AUM per firm was $8.6 billion in 2023.

Statistic 2

Qualified AUM for RIAs hit $75 trillion in 2023, excluding cash and alternatives.

Statistic 3

Discretionary AUM comprised 78% of total RIA RAUM in 2023.

Statistic 4

Alternative assets in RIA portfolios grew to 12% of AUM by 2023.

Statistic 5

RIAs with >$50B AUM numbered 250, controlling 65% of industry total.

Statistic 6

Net inflows to RIAs totaled $1.8 trillion in 2023 across all channels.

Statistic 7

Equity AUM allocation averaged 55% in RIA portfolios in 2023.

Statistic 8

Fixed income AUM grew 18% YoY to $22 trillion in RIA custody.

Statistic 9

Crypto and digital assets represented 0.5% of RIA AUM, or $665B, in 2023.

Statistic 10

International AUM for U.S. RIAs reached $15 trillion in 2023.

Statistic 11

Top 100 RIAs by AUM controlled $18T in 2023.

Statistic 12

RIA ETF AUM: $4.5T, 25% of total ETF market.

Statistic 13

Municipal bond AUM in RIAs: $1.8T in 2023.

Statistic 14

Private equity exposure: 8% of RIA AUM avg.

Statistic 15

Real estate AUM via RIAs: $9T globally in 2023.

Statistic 16

Outflows from non-RIA channels: $400B to RIAs in 2023.

Statistic 17

Average household AUM in RIAs: $2.6M in 2023.

Statistic 18

Options trading AUM exposure: 15% growth YoY.

Statistic 19

Gold/commodities AUM: 4% of portfolios avg.

Statistic 20

ESG AUM specifically: $8.5T in U.S. RIAs 2023.

Statistic 21

U.S. SEC-registered RIAs numbered 15,396 as of Q4 2023.

Statistic 22

State-registered RIAs totaled 17,200 in 2023, with California hosting 2,800 firms.

Statistic 23

Dual registrants (broker-dealer and RIA) increased to 4,500 firms in 2023.

Statistic 24

RIAs with fewer than 10 employees comprised 68% of all firms in 2023.

Statistic 25

Top 10 RIA custodians held 92% of industry AUM across 15,000+ firms.

Statistic 26

New RIA launches reached 1,200 in 2023, highest since 2008 financial crisis.

Statistic 27

RIAs in Texas numbered 1,450 in 2023, second only to California.

Statistic 28

Firms with $100M-$1B AUM represented 22% of total RIAs but 35% of RAUM.

Statistic 29

Women-led RIAs grew to 1,200 firms, or 8% of total, in 2023.

Statistic 30

Multi-family office RIAs increased to 650 firms managing $2.5T AUM.

Statistic 31

Florida hosted 1,300 RIAs in 2023.

Statistic 32

RIAs with 11-50 employees: 18% of firms, 25% RAUM.

Statistic 33

Exempt Reporting Advisers (ERAs) totaled 5,200 in 2023.

Statistic 34

New York state RIAs: 1,950 firms in 2023.

Statistic 35

Firms de-registering annually: 800, net growth 400 firms.

Statistic 36

Black-owned RIAs: 250 firms, $150B AUM in 2023.

Statistic 37

Hispanic-led RIAs grew to 400 firms in 2023.

Statistic 38

Venture-backed RIAs: 150 firms raising $3B in 2023.

Statistic 39

RIAs offering crypto custody: 1,100 firms in 2023.

Statistic 40

AI adoption in RIAs reached 45% for portfolio management in 2023.

Statistic 41

72% of RIAs plan to acquire other firms in next 5 years.

Statistic 42

Robo-advisor hybrid models used by 35% of RIAs in 2023.

Statistic 43

Sustainable investing AUM in RIAs hit $12 trillion in 2023.

Statistic 44

Cloud-based platforms adopted by 82% of RIAs for operations.

Statistic 45

Direct indexing strategies implemented by 28% of RIAs.

Statistic 46

Client portal usage reached 95% among RIAs in 2023.

Statistic 47

Private markets allocation expected to rise to 20% by 2027.

Statistic 48

60% of RIAs offer tax-loss harvesting services in 2023.

Statistic 49

Generative AI tools piloted by 22% of RIAs for research.

Statistic 50

Blockchain integration planned by 38% RIAs by 2025.

Statistic 51

Personalized video advice adopted by 42% RIAs.

Statistic 52

55% RIAs targeting Gen Z clients in 2023.

Statistic 53

Model portfolios usage: 70% of RIAs.

Statistic 54

40% RIAs using predictive analytics for retention.

Statistic 55

Outsourced CIO services: 25% adoption rate.

Statistic 56

Mobile app client logins up 30% YoY.

Statistic 57

65% RIAs offering annuities with guarantees.

Statistic 58

Social media lead gen: 50% of RIAs primary channel.

Statistic 59

Quantum computing pilots: 5% of large RIAs.

Statistic 60

In 2023, the U.S. RIA industry managed over $133 trillion in regulatory assets under management (RAUM), marking a 12.5% year-over-year increase.

Statistic 61

Global RIA assets are projected to reach $145 trillion by 2025, driven by 8-10% annual growth in North America.

Statistic 62

RIA market share of advisor-managed assets grew from 32% in 2020 to 38% in 2023.

Statistic 63

The RIA channel saw $1.2 trillion in net new assets in 2022, outpacing wirehouses by 3x.

Statistic 64

U.S. RIA industry revenue reached $68 billion in 2023, up 15% from 2022.

Statistic 65

Breakaway brokers added $500 billion to RIA AUM in 2023 through 1,200 transitions.

Statistic 66

RIA organic growth rate averaged 9.2% in 2023, compared to 4.5% for traditional broker-dealers.

Statistic 67

The number of RIAs with over $1 billion AUM doubled from 1,200 in 2018 to 2,400 in 2023.

Statistic 68

RIA industry client count exceeded 50 million households by end-2023, up 7% YoY.

Statistic 69

Hybrid RIA models grew 25% in prevalence from 2020-2023, capturing 15% of total RIA AUM.

Statistic 70

In 2023, RIA industry AUM growth outpaced GDP by 3x at 12.5%.

Statistic 71

Europe RIA-like models projected to add €2 trillion AUM by 2028.

Statistic 72

RIA penetration in HNW segment hit 45% in 2023.

Statistic 73

$900B in RIA M&A deal volume recorded in 2023.

Statistic 74

Independent RIAs generated $72B revenue, 14% YoY growth.

Statistic 75

Asia-Pacific RIA AUM forecasted at $5T by 2025.

Statistic 76

UHNW client migration to RIAs up 20% in 2023.

Statistic 77

RIA advisor retention rate averaged 92% in 2023.

Statistic 78

Total RIA households served: 52 million in 2023.

Statistic 79

Average RIA advisor managed $450 million AUM in 2023.

Statistic 80

Total RIA advisors numbered 338,000 in 2023, up 5% YoY.

Statistic 81

Series 65 registered advisors grew to 1.2 million, with 28% at RIAs.

Statistic 82

Female advisors comprised 18% of RIA workforce in 2023.

Statistic 83

Average RIA advisor age was 54 years in 2023.

Statistic 84

Advisors under 40 represented 12% of RIA population in 2023.

Statistic 85

CFP certificants at RIAs totaled 45,000, or 13% of advisors.

Statistic 86

Solo practitioner advisors declined to 22% of total RIA advisors.

Statistic 87

Average client per advisor ratio was 85:1 in RIAs in 2023.

Statistic 88

Chief Compliance Officers at RIAs averaged 12 years experience.

Statistic 89

65% of RIA advisors used CRM software daily in 2023.

Statistic 90

Part-time advisors grew to 8% of RIA staff in hybrid models.

Statistic 91

Advisors with 20+ years exp: 48% of RIA total.

Statistic 92

New advisor hires: 25,000 across RIAs in 2023.

Statistic 93

CFA charterholders: 12,500 in RIA firms.

Statistic 94

Remote-working advisors: 55% full-time in 2023.

Statistic 95

Average advisor compensation: $325K in RIAs.

Statistic 96

Turnover rate: 7.5% among RIA advisors 2023.

Statistic 97

Advisors offering fiduciary services: 96%.

Statistic 98

Tech-savvy advisors (fintech proficient): 68%.

Statistic 99

Bilingual advisors: 15% in RIAs serving diverse clients.

Statistic 100

SEC exams of RIAs increased 25% to 1,200 in FY2023.

Statistic 101

RIA Form ADV filings rose 10% to 32,596 in 2023.

Statistic 102

Cybersecurity incidents reported by RIAs hit 450 in 2023.

Statistic 103

Advertising rule violations led to $15M in RIA fines in 2023.

Statistic 104

92% of RIAs filed annual updates on time in 2023.

Statistic 105

Books-and-records deficiencies cited in 35% of SEC RIA exams.

Statistic 106

State regulators conducted 2,500 RIA audits in 2023.

Statistic 107

Custody rule compliance issues affected 12% of examined RIAs.

Statistic 108

ESG disclosure mandates impacted 75% of RIAs in 2023.

Statistic 109

Whistleblower tips on RIAs rose 40% to 1,800 in FY2023.

Statistic 110

88% of RIAs implemented Reg BI compliance programs by 2023.

Statistic 111

Marketing Rule amendments affected 85% of RIAs.

Statistic 112

Pay-to-play violations: 25 RIA cases, $10M fines.

Statistic 113

Form CRS delivery compliance: 98% of RIAs.

Statistic 114

Insider trading probes: 150 RIAs investigated.

Statistic 115

AML program deficiencies: 20% of exams.

Statistic 116

Third-party risk assessments: mandated for 100% RIAs over $1B.

Statistic 117

Data privacy complaints: 1,200 from RIA clients.

Statistic 118

Proxy voting policies filed by 89% of RIAs.

Statistic 119

Valuation support exams: 300 RIAs in 2023.

Statistic 120

Succession planning disclosures required for 75% RIAs.

1/120

Sources

Trusted by 500+ publications

+497

While the world watched the markets, the RIA industry quietly amassed over $133 trillion in assets, marking the beginning of a fundamental power shift in wealth management.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, the U.S. RIA industry managed over $133 trillion in regulatory assets under management (RAUM), marking a 12.5% year-over-year increase.
Global RIA assets are projected to reach $145 trillion by 2025, driven by 8-10% annual growth in North America.
RIA market share of advisor-managed assets grew from 32% in 2020 to 38% in 2023.
U.S. SEC-registered RIAs numbered 15,396 as of Q4 2023.
State-registered RIAs totaled 17,200 in 2023, with California hosting 2,800 firms.
Dual registrants (broker-dealer and RIA) increased to 4,500 firms in 2023.
Average RIA AUM per firm was $8.6 billion in 2023.
Qualified AUM for RIAs hit $75 trillion in 2023, excluding cash and alternatives.
Discretionary AUM comprised 78% of total RIA RAUM in 2023.
Average RIA advisor managed $450 million AUM in 2023.
Total RIA advisors numbered 338,000 in 2023, up 5% YoY.
Series 65 registered advisors grew to 1.2 million, with 28% at RIAs.
SEC exams of RIAs increased 25% to 1,200 in FY2023.
RIA Form ADV filings rose 10% to 32,596 in 2023.
Cybersecurity incidents reported by RIAs hit 450 in 2023.

The RIA wealth management industry is rapidly expanding in both size and market dominance.

AUM Metrics

Average RIA AUM per firm was $8.6 billion in 2023.
Qualified AUM for RIAs hit $75 trillion in 2023, excluding cash and alternatives.
Discretionary AUM comprised 78% of total RIA RAUM in 2023.
Alternative assets in RIA portfolios grew to 12% of AUM by 2023.
RIAs with >$50B AUM numbered 250, controlling 65% of industry total.
Net inflows to RIAs totaled $1.8 trillion in 2023 across all channels.
Equity AUM allocation averaged 55% in RIA portfolios in 2023.
Fixed income AUM grew 18% YoY to $22 trillion in RIA custody.
Crypto and digital assets represented 0.5% of RIA AUM, or $665B, in 2023.
International AUM for U.S. RIAs reached $15 trillion in 2023.
Top 100 RIAs by AUM controlled $18T in 2023.
RIA ETF AUM: $4.5T, 25% of total ETF market.
Municipal bond AUM in RIAs: $1.8T in 2023.
Private equity exposure: 8% of RIA AUM avg.
Real estate AUM via RIAs: $9T globally in 2023.
Outflows from non-RIA channels: $400B to RIAs in 2023.
Average household AUM in RIAs: $2.6M in 2023.
Options trading AUM exposure: 15% growth YoY.
Gold/commodities AUM: 4% of portfolios avg.
ESG AUM specifically: $8.5T in U.S. RIAs 2023.

AUM Metrics Interpretation

While the RIA industry now commands a staggering $75 trillion, its landscape is a tale of two cities: a few hundred colossal firms control the kingdom, yet the average advisor is still a master of their own $8.6 billion castle, deftly navigating client trust, a dash of alternatives, and a surprisingly cautious sip of the crypto Kool-Aid.

Firm Counts

U.S. SEC-registered RIAs numbered 15,396 as of Q4 2023.
State-registered RIAs totaled 17,200 in 2023, with California hosting 2,800 firms.
Dual registrants (broker-dealer and RIA) increased to 4,500 firms in 2023.
RIAs with fewer than 10 employees comprised 68% of all firms in 2023.
Top 10 RIA custodians held 92% of industry AUM across 15,000+ firms.
New RIA launches reached 1,200 in 2023, highest since 2008 financial crisis.
RIAs in Texas numbered 1,450 in 2023, second only to California.
Firms with $100M-$1B AUM represented 22% of total RIAs but 35% of RAUM.
Women-led RIAs grew to 1,200 firms, or 8% of total, in 2023.
Multi-family office RIAs increased to 650 firms managing $2.5T AUM.
Florida hosted 1,300 RIAs in 2023.
RIAs with 11-50 employees: 18% of firms, 25% RAUM.
Exempt Reporting Advisers (ERAs) totaled 5,200 in 2023.
New York state RIAs: 1,950 firms in 2023.
Firms de-registering annually: 800, net growth 400 firms.
Black-owned RIAs: 250 firms, $150B AUM in 2023.
Hispanic-led RIAs grew to 400 firms in 2023.
Venture-backed RIAs: 150 firms raising $3B in 2023.
RIAs offering crypto custody: 1,100 firms in 2023.

Firm Counts Interpretation

While the wealth management industry officially teems with over 15,000 SEC-registered firms, the stark concentration of assets among a few custodians and the dominance of boutique shops reveals a landscape where true influence is wielded by a surprisingly small, yet growingly diverse, cadre of players.

Industry Trends

AI adoption in RIAs reached 45% for portfolio management in 2023.
72% of RIAs plan to acquire other firms in next 5 years.
Robo-advisor hybrid models used by 35% of RIAs in 2023.
Sustainable investing AUM in RIAs hit $12 trillion in 2023.
Cloud-based platforms adopted by 82% of RIAs for operations.
Direct indexing strategies implemented by 28% of RIAs.
Client portal usage reached 95% among RIAs in 2023.
Private markets allocation expected to rise to 20% by 2027.
60% of RIAs offer tax-loss harvesting services in 2023.
Generative AI tools piloted by 22% of RIAs for research.
Blockchain integration planned by 38% RIAs by 2025.
Personalized video advice adopted by 42% RIAs.
55% RIAs targeting Gen Z clients in 2023.
Model portfolios usage: 70% of RIAs.
40% RIAs using predictive analytics for retention.
Outsourced CIO services: 25% adoption rate.
Mobile app client logins up 30% YoY.
65% RIAs offering annuities with guarantees.
Social media lead gen: 50% of RIAs primary channel.
Quantum computing pilots: 5% of large RIAs.

Industry Trends Interpretation

The RIA industry is in a wild race to the future, frantically adopting AI and cloud tech to manage money while also trying to woo Gen Z with personalized videos and blockchain plans, all so they can grow big enough through acquisitions to survive long enough to worry about quantum computing.

Market Growth

In 2023, the U.S. RIA industry managed over $133 trillion in regulatory assets under management (RAUM), marking a 12.5% year-over-year increase.
Global RIA assets are projected to reach $145 trillion by 2025, driven by 8-10% annual growth in North America.
RIA market share of advisor-managed assets grew from 32% in 2020 to 38% in 2023.
The RIA channel saw $1.2 trillion in net new assets in 2022, outpacing wirehouses by 3x.
U.S. RIA industry revenue reached $68 billion in 2023, up 15% from 2022.
Breakaway brokers added $500 billion to RIA AUM in 2023 through 1,200 transitions.
RIA organic growth rate averaged 9.2% in 2023, compared to 4.5% for traditional broker-dealers.
The number of RIAs with over $1 billion AUM doubled from 1,200 in 2018 to 2,400 in 2023.
RIA industry client count exceeded 50 million households by end-2023, up 7% YoY.
Hybrid RIA models grew 25% in prevalence from 2020-2023, capturing 15% of total RIA AUM.
In 2023, RIA industry AUM growth outpaced GDP by 3x at 12.5%.
Europe RIA-like models projected to add €2 trillion AUM by 2028.
RIA penetration in HNW segment hit 45% in 2023.
$900B in RIA M&A deal volume recorded in 2023.
Independent RIAs generated $72B revenue, 14% YoY growth.
Asia-Pacific RIA AUM forecasted at $5T by 2025.
UHNW client migration to RIAs up 20% in 2023.
RIA advisor retention rate averaged 92% in 2023.
Total RIA households served: 52 million in 2023.

Market Growth Interpretation

The numbers don't lie: the RIA channel is rapidly becoming the dominant force in wealth management, vacuuming up assets, advisors, and clients alike, proving that the fiduciary model isn't just ethical, it's exceptionally lucrative.

Personnel Stats

Average RIA advisor managed $450 million AUM in 2023.
Total RIA advisors numbered 338,000 in 2023, up 5% YoY.
Series 65 registered advisors grew to 1.2 million, with 28% at RIAs.
Female advisors comprised 18% of RIA workforce in 2023.
Average RIA advisor age was 54 years in 2023.
Advisors under 40 represented 12% of RIA population in 2023.
CFP certificants at RIAs totaled 45,000, or 13% of advisors.
Solo practitioner advisors declined to 22% of total RIA advisors.
Average client per advisor ratio was 85:1 in RIAs in 2023.
Chief Compliance Officers at RIAs averaged 12 years experience.
65% of RIA advisors used CRM software daily in 2023.
Part-time advisors grew to 8% of RIA staff in hybrid models.
Advisors with 20+ years exp: 48% of RIA total.
New advisor hires: 25,000 across RIAs in 2023.
CFA charterholders: 12,500 in RIA firms.
Remote-working advisors: 55% full-time in 2023.
Average advisor compensation: $325K in RIAs.
Turnover rate: 7.5% among RIA advisors 2023.
Advisors offering fiduciary services: 96%.
Tech-savvy advisors (fintech proficient): 68%.
Bilingual advisors: 15% in RIAs serving diverse clients.

Personnel Stats Interpretation

The typical RIA advisor is a well-compensated, mid-fifties fiduciary veteran managing nearly half a billion dollars for a devoted flock of 85 clients, while a youthful, tech-savvy, and increasingly remote minority scrambles to refresh an aging profession that desperately needs them.

Regulatory Data

SEC exams of RIAs increased 25% to 1,200 in FY2023.
RIA Form ADV filings rose 10% to 32,596 in 2023.
Cybersecurity incidents reported by RIAs hit 450 in 2023.
Advertising rule violations led to $15M in RIA fines in 2023.
92% of RIAs filed annual updates on time in 2023.
Books-and-records deficiencies cited in 35% of SEC RIA exams.
State regulators conducted 2,500 RIA audits in 2023.
Custody rule compliance issues affected 12% of examined RIAs.
ESG disclosure mandates impacted 75% of RIAs in 2023.
Whistleblower tips on RIAs rose 40% to 1,800 in FY2023.
88% of RIAs implemented Reg BI compliance programs by 2023.
Marketing Rule amendments affected 85% of RIAs.
Pay-to-play violations: 25 RIA cases, $10M fines.
Form CRS delivery compliance: 98% of RIAs.
Insider trading probes: 150 RIAs investigated.
AML program deficiencies: 20% of exams.
Third-party risk assessments: mandated for 100% RIAs over $1B.
Data privacy complaints: 1,200 from RIA clients.
Proxy voting policies filed by 89% of RIAs.
Valuation support exams: 300 RIAs in 2023.
Succession planning disclosures required for 75% RIAs.

Regulatory Data Interpretation

While the SEC is watching advisors more closely than ever with exams up 25%, the industry is largely keeping pace, with 98% delivering new client summaries and 88% adopting new investor protection rules, proving that oversight and adaptation are now permanent, if occasionally bumpy, partners in the wealth management business.