The survey questioned more than 2,000 20-29 year olds nationwide for a 'Young Money' report by financial services consultancy MRM.
Respondents felt they would need to be earning £25,679 before they could start a pension, £29,360 to take out life insurance and £32,460 before they could consider taking financial advice. 
The research also suggested the current generation trusted financial advisers less than previous generations and were less likely to seek their advice.
The least achievable milestone was investing in a stocks and shares Isa which respondents felt would require them to be earning £34,942. Some 28 per cent thought they would require as much as £50,000 before they could invest in the stock market.

Gareth Shaw, deputy editor of Which? Money, said: "Stocks and shares are predictably a low priority and perhaps rightly so-why put your cash at capital risk in such turbulent times? However, with the high inflation of the past couple of years, many will have lost out in the savings market through rising prices, a factor few will understand or even take on board.
"It's something that they'll be all too familiar with when it comes to retirement and surviving on a fixed income."
Young Money blogger Iona Bain said: "The results of this survey could cause some sleepless nights in the financial industry- it shows many young adults believe they need a steady wage well above the national average to afford property, financial advice, life insurance and investments.
"We could be looking at a diminishing customer base for many providers unless they do more to engender trust, charge perceptions of how much their services cost and prove what their long-term benefits are."