The RIA Benchmarking Study
Two decades of trusted industry insight
The RIA Benchmarking Study has been providing perspective into what makes advisory firms thrive for twenty years. Participants receive comprehensive, customized data and insights that can significantly enhance their business—all at no cost.
Benchmarking results are available for firms that participated in the 2026 Benchmarking Study.
From the archives
The largest study in the registered investment advisor (RIA) industry is also the most respected—with good reason. Take a look back and see what's pushing firms forward.
Data to inform your critical decisions
Why does this firm consider the RIA Benchmarking Study an essential tool for their business? Because "the data points are critical to making good business decisions." Learn how they do it.
“The Benchmarking Study is a requirement in order to keep our business managed in an optimal way and growing as best we can.
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Ben Dickey and Mike Amash are clients of Schwab and are not compensated for their comments. The experiences described may not be the experience of all clients and is not a guarantee of future performance or success.
About the RIA Benchmarking Study from Charles Schwab
Schwab designed the RIA Benchmarking Study to capture insights in the RIA industry based on survey responses from individual firms. The 2026 study provides information on topics such as asset and revenue growth, sources of new clients, products and pricing, staffing, compensation, marketing, technology, and financial performance. Fielded from January to March 2026, the study contains self-reported data from 1,236 firms that custody their assets with Schwab and represents over $2.5 trillion in assets under management, making this the leading study in the RIA industry. Schwab did not independently verify or validate the self-reported information. Participant firms represent various sizes and business models. The study is part of Schwab Business Consulting and Education, a practice management offering for RIAs. Grounded in the best practices of leading independent advisory firms, Business Consulting and Education provides insight, guidance, tools, and resources to help RIAs strategically manage and grow their firms.
Past performance is not an indicator of future results.
This material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only.