Which adviser designations yield the highest pay?

Summary: Lead financial advisers who have attained a CFA designation earned on average a median $147,743 in base salary and $30,000 in incentive-based compensation last year, 24% more than the total compensation for those with the certified financial planner mark and 23% more than advisers who also are certified public accountants, according to the 2015 InvestmentNews/Moss Adams Adviser Compensation and Staffing Study released Sept. 7.