# Financial advisors for early-career professionals in California

> For early-career professionals in California, talk to a fee-only planner who charges flat or hourly fees and has no asset minimum. You need decisions more than portfolio management, so a one-time plan or a low subscription is often enough. Records to start with include Evon Mendrin of Optometry Wealth Advisors LLC, Catherine Hawley of Hawley Personal Finance and Mary Van Nostrand of Van Nostrand Wealth Management.

Page: https://find.wellspent.co/audiences/early-career-professionals/california/
80 fee-only advisors listed; data last updated November 2, 2026.
Fee-only means paid only by clients, never by commissions.

## Which financial advisor should I talk to early in your career in California?

For early-career professionals in California, talk to a fee-only planner who charges flat or hourly fees and has no asset minimum. You need decisions more than portfolio management, so a one-time plan or a low subscription is often enough. Records to start with include Evon Mendrin of Optometry Wealth Advisors LLC, Catherine Hawley of Hawley Personal Finance and Mary Van Nostrand of Van Nostrand Wealth Management.

- [Evon Mendrin](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/evon-mendrin/), Optometry Wealth Advisors LLC, Madera. Holds the CFP and Certified Student Loan Professional. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, hourly.
- [Catherine Hawley](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/catherine-hawley/), Hawley Personal Finance, Los Angeles. Holds the CFP. Fees on file: hourly, flat fee or retainer.
- [Mary Van Nostrand](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/mary-van-nostrand/), Van Nostrand Wealth Management, San Diego. Holds the CFP. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer.
- [Steven Evensen](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/steven-evensen/), Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management, Santa Monica. Holds the CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets, hourly.
- [Michael Rodriguez](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/michael-rodriguez/), Equanimity Wealth, Glendale. Holds the CFP. Fees on file: subscription, one-time planning fee.
- [Said Israilov](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/said-israilov/), Israilov Financial, San Francisco. Holds the CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets, one-time planning fee.

## How many fee-only financial advisors in California work with early-career professionals?

The Wellspent public graph lists 80 fee-only advisors for early-career professionals in California, at 58 firms. We counted every advisor record that lists this work, as of November 2026.

## Where are fee-only advisors for early-career professionals in California located?

Of the 80 fee-only advisors for early-career professionals in California, 11 are in San Diego, followed by 8 in San Francisco and 6 in Los Angeles.

## How do fee-only advisors for early-career professionals in California charge?

The most common fee among fee-only advisors for early-career professionals in California is an hourly rate, used by 61% of the 80 with fees on file. Many use more than one: 57% charge a percentage of assets and 35% charge a one-time planning fee.

## How much do fee-only financial advisors charge in California?

Fee-only financial advisors in California charge a median of $6,000 a year for ongoing planning. We found this across the published prices of 112 California firms.

## How much does a one-time financial plan cost in California?

A one-time financial plan from a fee-only firm in California has a median price of $2,500. We found this across the published prices of 111 California firms.

## What credentials should a financial advisor for early-career professionals have?

For early-career professionals, look for the CFP and Certified Student Loan Professional. In California, 56% of the 80 advisors listed hold the CFP.

- CFP (56% of advisors listed): The CFP covers debt, saving, and insurance together.
- Certified Student Loan Professional (1% of advisors listed): This credential helps if loans are a big part of your plan.

## How do California advisors for early-career professionals compare with the rest of the US?

61% of fee-only advisors for early-career professionals in California charge by the hour, compared with 38% of the 759 listed across the US. That's the largest difference in the Wellspent public graph between the two groups.

## What should I ask a financial advisor early in your career in California?

- Do you have an asset minimum?
- What would a one-time plan cost, and what would I get?
- Should I pay down debt or invest first?
- How much house can I actually afford?

## How current is this list of fee-only advisors for early-career professionals in California?

Wellspent last checked these records against SEC records in October 2026 and firm websites in October 2026. Each advisor's page shows the date for that record.

## Advisors

| Advisor | Firm | Location | Credentials | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Al Faber](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/al-faber.md) | DIWY Financial Planning | Los Angeles, California | CFP, ChFC, CLU, MBA | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| [Evon Mendrin](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/evon-mendrin.md) | Optometry Wealth Advisors LLC | Madera, California | Certified Student Loan Professional, CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| [Michael Rodriguez](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/michael-rodriguez.md) | Equanimity Wealth | Glendale, California | CFP | Subscription, One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| [Michal Skowronski](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/michal-skowronski.md) | Skylark Wealth, LLC | San Francisco, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| [Carmetta Joyner](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/carmetta-joyner.md) | Joyner Financial Planning LLC | San Francisco, California | CFP | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| [Patrick Yaghoobians](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/patrick-yaghoobians.md) | Noor Financial Services | Los Angeles, California | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee |
| [Praveen Krishnamurthy](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/praveen-krishnamurthy.md) | Empower Financial | Fremont, California | CFP | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| [Tommy Lopez](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/tommy-lopez.md) | Coffeehouse Capital LLC \| Financial Planning and Wealth Management | Fresno, California | CFP, CRPC | Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| [Jackson Xu](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jackson-xu.md) | X AND Y ADVISORS, INC. | El Segundo, California | CFP, CFA | Ongoing planning fee |
| [Josue Luque De Julio](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/josue-luque-de-julio.md) | Next Gen Financial Planning | San Diego, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [Nate Nieri](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/nate-nieri.md) | Modern Money Management | San Diego, California | CFP, MSBA, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee, Hourly |
| [Rafael Melendez](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/rafael-melendez.md) | Next Gen Financial Planning | San Diego, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [Said Israilov](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/said-israilov.md) | Israilov Financial | San Francisco, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| [Sridhar Krishnan](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/sridhar-krishnan.md) | Encover Personal Finance LLC | Fremont, California | BS, CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| [Cynthia Jabr](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/cynthia-jabr.md) | Brand New Day Wealth Planning | Los Angeles, California | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| [John Pak](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/john-pak.md) | Otium Advisory Group | El Segundo, California | BA, CFP, EA, MST, RICP | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| [Steven Fox](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/steven-fox.md) | AdviceOnly | San Diego, California | CFP, EA, BFA, MS | Subscription, One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| [Catherine Hawley](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/catherine-hawley.md) | Hawley Personal Finance | Los Angeles, California | CFP | Hourly, Flat fee or retainer, One-time planning fee, Ongoing planning fee |
| [Charles Edson](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/charles-edson.md) | Wealth Being Advisors | Hermosa Beach, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| [Galen Herbst de Cortina](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/galen-herbst-de-cortina.md) | Buff Your Finances, LLC | Newbury Park, California | CFP, MBA | One-time planning fee |
| [James McDougal](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/james-mcdougal.md) | HiFi Planning | Long Beach, California | CFP, ECA | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| [Marcus Holzberg](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/marcus-holzberg.md) | Holzberg Wealth Management | Corte Madera, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [David Barnett](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/david-barnett.md) | Barnett Financial Planning | Riverside, California | CFP | Hourly, One-time planning fee, Ongoing planning fee |
| [Uchechi Kalu](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/uchechi-kalu.md) | Greenlight Financial Planning | Los Angeles, California | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| [Andy Moran](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/andy-moran.md) | Ad Astra Financial Planning | Santa Rosa, California | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Subscription |
| [Mark Astrinos](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/mark-astrinos.md) | Libra Wealth LLC | Los Gatos, California | CFP, CPA/PFS, RLP | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly, Ongoing planning fee |
| [Matthew Etzler](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/matthew-etzler.md) | Etzler Financial Advisors, LLC | Red Bluff, California | CFP | Hourly, Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| [Ryan Hughes](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/ryan-hughes.md) | Bull Oak | Rancho Santa Fe, California | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| [Paul Crosbie](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/paul-crosbie.md) | WealthMap Planning | San Luis Obispo, California | CPA/PFS | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| [Bridget Harkins](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/bridget-harkins.md) | Wheels Up Wealth, Inc. | Benicia, California | CFP | One-time planning fee |
| [Kenneth Butler](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/kenneth-butler.md) | Butler Financial Services | Westlake Village, California | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, One-time planning fee |
| [Lauren Williams](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/lauren-williams.md) | ProsperPlan Wealth | Gold River, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| [Steven Evensen](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/steven-evensen.md) | Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management | Santa Monica, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| [Tyrone Ross](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/tyrone-ross.md) | 401 Financial | San Diego, California | CFP | Hourly, Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| [Charles Angle](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/charles-angle.md) | Rssic | San Francisco, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [Chaz Fahrner](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/chaz-fahrner.md) | Sierra Wealth Strategies | San Diego, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [Cody Beaumont](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/cody-beaumont.md) | HFG Trust | Gilroy, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [Gloria Garcia Cisneros](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/gloria-garcia-cisneros.md) | LourdMurray | Los Angeles, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| [Jefferson Rotherham](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jefferson-rotherham.md) | Sierra Wealth Strategies | Coronado, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [Justin Mayo](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/justin-mayo.md) | Sierra Wealth Strategies | El Cajon, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [Louis Guajardo](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/louis-guajardo.md) | Moonshot Planning | Montclair, California | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| [Michael Troxell](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/michael-troxell.md) | Modern Financial Planning | Oakland, California | CPA | Hourly, Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| [Riley Adams](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/riley-adams.md) | Daniel M Kavanaugh CPA Inc | Pleasanton, California | CPA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer, Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| [Thomas Manetta](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/thomas-manetta.md) | Manetta Wealth Management | San Ramon, California |   | Percentage of assets |
| [5T Wealth Management](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/5t-wealth-management-455600.md) | 5T Wealth Management | Napa, California | CFA | Percentage of assets |
| [Emily Bushong](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/emily-bushong.md) | Kaizen Financial Advisors | Canyon Lake, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [Kameron Barzegar](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/kameron-barzegar.md) | RJ Patterson Group | San Diego, California |   | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [Kevin Apolinar](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/kevin-apolinar.md) | Behavior Shift | Murrieta, California |   | One-time planning fee, Subscription, Hourly |
| [Malek Hage Hassan](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/malek-hage-hassan.md) | RJ Patterson Group | San Diego, California |   | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [Mary Van Nostrand](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/mary-van-nostrand.md) | Van Nostrand Wealth Management | San Diego, California | CFP | Flat fee or retainer |

Showing the first 50 of 80. The full list, page by page: https://find.wellspent.co/audiences/early-career-professionals/california/?page=2

## Related

- [Retirement planning in California](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/retirement-planning/california.md)
- [Estate planning in California](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/estate-planning/california.md)
- [Tax planning in California](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/tax-planning/california.md)
- [Founders in California](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/founders-pre-exit/california.md)
- [Family wealth transfer in California](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/family-wealth-transfer/california.md)
- [Retirees in California](https://find.wellspent.co/audiences/retirees/california.md)

## About this data

Sources and verification: https://find.wellspent.co/methodology/
Query the directory programmatically: https://api.wellspent.co/mcp (MCP, read-only, no auth).