Financial Advisors Cost in Seattle (2026)
Quick Answer
Partially verifiedIn Seattle, financial adviser costs vary mainly by fee model. A common asset-based fee is around 1% a year for portfolio management on smaller accounts, often falling on larger balances; hourly advice commonly runs in the low hundreds of dollars per hour, while one-off financial plans are often priced in the low thousands. Where exact Seattle firm pricing is not publicly posted, the figures below are clearly marked as estimates based on typical US market rates and recognised industry sources.
Overview
In Seattle, the cost of a financial adviser depends on whether you want ongoing investment management, one-off planning, or ad hoc advice. Many registered investment advisers use an assets-under-management model, charging a percentage of the money they manage each year. Industry data from the CFP Board shows a median fee of 1.00% of assets under management, while advisory firms often reduce the percentage for larger portfolios. For people who do not want full portfolio management, hourly advice and fixed-fee plans are common alternatives. National research from AdvisoryHQ places hourly rates broadly around 120 to 300 US dollars, and Charles Schwab notes that a comprehensive financial plan can cost roughly 1,000 to 3,000 US dollars, with hourly planning often around 200 to 400 US dollars. Seattle pricing is usually in line with other major US cities, though experienced fiduciary planners and firms working with executives, business owners or high-net-worth households may charge more. Costs can also rise if you need tax planning, retirement income strategy, estate coordination, or complex stock-compensation advice, all of which are relevant in Seattle’s tech-heavy economy. Advisers who are investment advisers are typically regulated through the US Securities and Exchange Commission or state securities regulators, and consumers can check firm disclosures through the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure database.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Assets-under-management annual fee(percent of assets per year) CFP Board data cited by Kitces reports a median AUM fee of 1.00%; range reflects common market variation by account size and service complexity. | ~$0.5 – $1.5 | Estimated range |
| Hourly financial advice(per hour) AdvisoryHQ reports a common range of roughly 120 to 300 dollars per hour; Schwab notes hourly planning can run about 200 to 400 dollars. Typical shown is a mid-market estimate for Seattle. | $120 – $400 | Partially verified |
| Comprehensive one-off financial plan(per plan) Schwab states a comprehensive financial plan can cost 1,000 to 3,000 dollars. | $1,000 – $3,000 | Verified from source |
| Retainer-style ongoing planning(per year) Estimated range based on typical US flat-fee and subscription-style planning arrangements for fiduciary advisers serving metro clients; actual Seattle pricing varies with household complexity. | ~$2,000 – $7,500 | Estimated range |
| Percentage fee on a 500,000 dollar portfolio(per year) Illustrative estimate derived from a 0.5% to 1.5% annual AUM fee range, with 1.0% as a common midpoint. | ~$2,500 – $7,500 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Initial discovery meeting
- Goal setting and cash-flow review
- Investment recommendations or portfolio management, depending on service
- Retirement planning
- Periodic review meetings
Common Jobs & Typical Prices
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Regulator / licensing: US Securities and Exchange Commission (Investment Adviser Public Disclosure) and Washington State Department of Financial Institutions
Variants & Configurations
Duration
A one-off plan commonly takes several meetings over a few weeks; ongoing advisory relationships are usually reviewed quarterly or annually.
How Fees Work
Typical structures are percentage of assets under management, hourly billing, flat-fee planning, or annual/monthly retainers. Asset-based fees are often around 1% for smaller portfolios and may decline at higher asset levels.
Factors Affecting Price
- Whether you pay by assets under management, hourly rate, flat project fee or annual retainer
- Portfolio size, as percentage fees often fall on larger balances
- Complexity of your finances, such as tax planning, retirement income, estate issues or stock compensation
- Whether the adviser provides investment management only or broader holistic planning
- Experience, credentials and whether the firm serves high-net-worth or business-owner clients
Local Context
Seattle is a relatively affluent market with many tech employees, business owners and households holding stock awards or concentrated positions, which can push planning fees above the national average for complex cases. Washington State has no state income tax, but federal taxes, capital gains considerations and estate-planning needs still affect the scope of advice. Tipping is not part of this industry.
Some figures here are still being verified.
Where a verified figure isn’t available yet, we say so rather than guess. For the most current pricing, check the official source below.
All figures are in US dollars. Percentage-based fees are annual unless stated otherwise.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- Charles Schwab - How Much Does a Financial Advisor Cost? · provider
Comprehensive financial plan typically 1,000 to 3,000 dollars; hourly planning around 200 to 400 dollars; overview of common fee structures.
- SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure · government
Regulatory lookup for investment advisers and access to Form ADV fee disclosures.
- Washington State Department of Financial Institutions · government
State financial regulation context for Washington-based firms and professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common way financial advisers charge in Seattle?+
The most common model is an annual percentage of assets under management. Around 1% a year is a widely cited median for smaller to mid-sized portfolios, with lower percentages often available as balances increase.
Can I hire a financial adviser just for a one-off plan?+
Yes. Many advisers offer standalone planning without ongoing portfolio management. A comprehensive plan commonly costs about 1,000 to 3,000 US dollars, depending on complexity.
Are hourly financial advisers cheaper?+
They can be, especially if you need targeted advice rather than long-term management. Typical hourly advice is often around 120 to 400 US dollars per hour, with Seattle advisers tending towards the higher end for complex cases.
Do financial adviser fees include investment costs?+
Not always. Advisory fees may be separate from fund expense ratios, trading costs, custodian fees or taxes, so it is worth asking for a full all-in cost estimate.
How can I check whether a Seattle adviser is properly regulated?+
You can look up registered investment advisers on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website. This shows registrations, disciplinary disclosures and Form ADV documents describing fees and services.
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Check current prices at the official source
SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure
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