Investment Counselor / Advisor Salary

National Compensation Range

Investment Counselor / Advisor Salary by City

Median (P50) adjusted for metro cost of labor.

Also Known As

Investment Advisor – Wealth, IA – Private Banking, Wealth Investment Advisor, Investment Counselor – PB

What Does an Investment Counselor / Advisor Do?

The Investment Counselor / Advisor operates within private banks, wealth management firms, and trust companies, serving high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients with investment advisory, estate planning, and banking services. Classified at the Senior level, this position draws from a competitive candidate pool, though specialized qualifications and sector-specific experience remain key differentiators in hiring.

What Drives Investment Counselor / Advisor Compensation?

The median (P50) compensation for an Investment Counselor / Advisor is $140,000, with the 25th to 75th percentile range spanning $95,000 to $200,000. The 75% spread between P25 and P75 reflects significant pay variation driven by book size and client AUM, revenue generated, client segment (HNW vs. UHNW), product complexity, regulatory licensing, and the firm's compensation model (salary + bonus vs. revenue share).

Investment Counselor / Advisor Career Path

Professionals who move into Investment Counselor / Advisor roles most commonly come from institutional banking, financial advisory, trust and estate law, investment management, or family office operations. From this position, the typical trajectory leads toward managing director and market head positions, regional leadership, or transitioning to independent RIA or multi-family office platforms.

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