How to Choose a Financial Advisor in ST. LOUIS, MO

A data-driven guide based on 349 registered advisors in ST. LOUIS

Local Market Overview

There are 349 registered financial advisors in ST. LOUIS, Missouri. Approximately 97% report fee-based compensation, while 19% include commission-based compensation. The average firm serving ST. LOUIS manages $158.0B in assets.

Registered Advisors

349

In ST. LOUIS, MO

Avg Firm AUM

$158.0B

Assets under management

Top Credential

CFP

28 advisors

Community Profile

ST. LOUIS has a population of 298,018 with a median household income of $52,941. The median age is 36.5.

Advisor density: 11.7 per 10K residents

Median income: $52,941

Most Common Credentials in ST. LOUIS

CFP

28 advisors

CFA

8 advisors

ChFC

4 advisors

Compensation Types Reported

Percentage of AUM

97% of advisors · 338 total

Subscription fees

72% of advisors · 251 total

Hourly charges

27% of advisors · 93 total

Commissions

19% of advisors · 68 total

Performance-based fees

14% of advisors · 48 total

Other: OTHER APPROPRIATE MEASURE OF PROGRAM SIZE

9% of advisors · 30 total

What to Look For

Check their credentials

The CFP (Certified Financial Planner) is the gold standard for comprehensive financial planning. A CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) signals deep investment expertise, while a ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) covers insurance and estate planning.

Understand fee structures

Fee-only advisors charge only for their advice (hourly, flat fee, or % of AUM). Fee-based advisors may also earn commissions on products they sell. Commission-only advisors earn money from product sales. Fee-only is generally considered the least conflicted model. See Missouri fee analysis →

Verify their registration

Every legitimate advisor should be registered with the SEC or their state. Check FINRA BrokerCheck for disciplinary history, disclosures, and registration status. All advisors on AdvisorOS are sourced from official SEC/FINRA registration data.

Ask about account minimums

Some advisors require $250,000 or more to open an account. Others work with any portfolio size. Ask upfront to avoid wasting time on advisors who aren't a fit.

Review their Form CRS

The Form CRS (Client Relationship Summary) is a 2-page document every advisor must provide. It explains services, fees, conflicts of interest, and disciplinary history in plain language. Ask for it before your first meeting.

Browse Advisors in ST. LOUIS

349 advisors in ST. LOUIS, MO

Search the full directory of registered financial advisors in ST. LOUIS. Compare credentials, specialties, and firm details — all based on SEC and FINRA public data.

Browse ST. LOUIS Advisors All Cities in Missouri

Frequently Asked Questions

How many financial advisors are in ST. LOUIS, MO?

There are 349 registered financial advisors in ST. LOUIS, Missouri, according to SEC and FINRA registration data.

What credentials should a financial advisor in ST. LOUIS have?

Look for CFP (Certified Financial Planner) for comprehensive planning, CFA for investment management, or ChFC for insurance and estate planning. The most common credential among ST. LOUIS advisors is CFP.

Are financial advisors in ST. LOUIS required to be fiduciaries?

Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) have a fiduciary duty to act in your best interest. Broker-dealers follow a suitability standard. Always ask your advisor about their fiduciary status and get it in writing.

What do financial advisors in ST. LOUIS charge?

Fees vary widely. Fee-only advisors typically charge 0.5%–1.5% of assets under management, $150–$400/hour, or flat fees of $1,000–$7,500+ per plan. Commission-based advisors may not charge fees directly but earn commissions on products.

Guides for Nearby Cities

KANSAS CITY Guide (148)CLAYTON Guide (77)CHESTERFIELD Guide (69)SAINT LOUIS Guide (65)SPRINGFIELD Guide (36)MANCHESTER Guide (20)COLUMBIA Guide (18)ST. PETERS Guide (16)JEFFERSON CITY Guide (10)LEE'S SUMMIT Guide (10)

Browse ST. LOUIS Advisors by Specialty

Investment Management Retirement Planning Wealth Management Financial Planning Fee-Only Advisory Financial Education

More Research

What Do Financial Advisors Cost in Missouri? →National Fee Analysis →