Mid-Level

Investments Advisor

The portfolio guide — advising clients on investment strategies and financial growth.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
E
C
S
I
A
R
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Investments Advisors
Employment concentration · ~367 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Investments Advisor

As an Investments Advisor, you guide clients in making investment decisions, helping them build and manage portfolios aligned with their financial goals. You assess client situations, recommend investment strategies, and provide ongoing portfolio guidance.

Your day involves client meetings, portfolio reviews, market research, and investment recommendations. You need to understand financial markets, various investment vehicles, and how different strategies fit different client profiles. You balance education (helping clients understand options) with advice (recommending specific actions).

The work requires both market knowledge and interpersonal skills. Clients trust you with their financial futures, so building and maintaining that trust is central to your success. You need to communicate complex concepts clearly, manage client emotions during market volatility, and deliver advice that balances growth with appropriate risk. The people who succeed here are genuinely interested in helping clients succeed financially while maintaining ethical standards.

AchievementAbove avg
Working ConditionsAbove avg
IndependenceAbove avg
RelationshipsModerate
RecognitionModerate
SupportModerate
O*NET Work Values survey
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
Client segmentAdvisory modelProduct platformFirm typeCompensation structure
Investment advisory varies by firm type and client segment. Wealth management serves affluent clients with complex needs; retail advisory works with mainstream investors. Fee-based models differ from commission-based compensation. Full-service firms provide more support; independent advisors have more flexibility.
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Investments Advisors (SOC 41-3031.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Investments Advisor career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
1
Comprehensive planning
Holistic financial planning deepens relationships
2
Portfolio management
Sophisticated investment strategies serve larger clients
3
Practice management
Growing business requires systems and possibly team building
What client segment does this position serve?
What is the compensation model — fees, commissions, or combination?
What investment platform and products are available?
What does the path to building a significant book look like?
What licensing and credentials are required or supported?
✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$47K–$215K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
472K
U.S. Employment
+3.3%
10yr Growth
38K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$64K$61K$58K$55K$52K201920202021202220232024$52K$64K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Active ListeningCritical ThinkingMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingPersuasionActive LearningReading ComprehensionSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessComplex Problem Solving
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
41-3031.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.