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Financial analyst: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$102,740median pay per year, or $49.40 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $63,720lowest 10% earn less
  2. $79,29025th percentile
  3. $102,740median
  4. $133,34075th percentile
  5. $180,860top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median financial analyst earned $102,740 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 7.2% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+7.2%[2]
Openings per year
24,700[5]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[6]

How much do financial analysts make?

BLS counts this job as Financial and Investment Analysts. The median pay was $102,740 a year, or $49.40 an hour[1]. Half the workers in this job made more than that, and half made less[1]. The average was $116,800 a year, or $56.15 an hour[7].

The median for all occupations was $50,980[4]. The financial analyst median was more than double that[1][4].

Pay varies a lot within the job. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $63,720 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $79,290[3]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $133,340, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $180,860[3]. In hourly terms, these boundaries were $30.64, $38.12, $64.11 and $86.95[8]. BLS does not publish a starting salary. It publishes percentile wages, which mark boundaries between groups of workers[9].

Measure Annual wage Source
10th percentile[3] $63,720
25th percentile[3] $79,290
Median[1] $102,740
75th percentile[3] $133,340
90th percentile[3] $180,860

These figures cover workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses that are not tied to production and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10].

Pay by state and city

Wyoming had the highest state median at $187,090, but it had only 190 jobs[11]. New York came second at $127,930, followed by Oregon at $120,590[11].

New York also had the most jobs, 52,380[12]. California had 45,380, Texas 28,820, Florida 23,900 and Illinois 20,520[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT had the highest median at $158,310[13]. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA was next at $144,910, then San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $130,520[13]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area had the most jobs, 53,870, with a median of $128,930[14]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA had 19,600 jobs and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN had 17,150[14].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Wyoming[11]$187,090190
New York$127,93052,380
Oregon$120,5902,820
Massachusetts$111,04014,790
Connecticut$109,500n/a
California$109,11045,380
New Jersey$108,61010,380
Washington$107,2108,820
District of Columbia$105,7803,670
Virginia$105,49010,410
Colorado$103,8508,040
Minnesota$102,9907,450
North Carolina$102,39012,710
Alaska$102,240190
Delaware$101,8002,290
Illinois$101,18020,520
Idaho$100,830680
Rhode Island$100,5501,790
Maryland$100,3705,360
Georgia$99,4209,780
Montana$99,190440
South Dakota$99,150820
Texas$99,15028,820
Vermont$99,090230
Missouri$98,4204,430
Wisconsin$95,5705,430
Michigan$95,4207,400
Hawaii$94,640600
Florida$94,49023,900
Ohio$94,2809,760
South Carolina$93,6703,600
Arizona$93,5405,940
Tennessee$92,9904,910
Iowa$92,3702,000
Utah$91,3704,510
Alabama$91,2903,410
Maine$88,320710
New Mexico$87,630930
Nebraska$85,320n/a
Kansas$84,8601,870
Pennsylvania$84,46013,310
Nevada$83,4301,830
New Hampshire$82,520580
Indiana$81,7603,680
Kentucky$81,6602,460
Arkansas$81,1101,390
Oklahoma$79,6401,550
Mississippi$79,580720
North Dakota$78,170300
Louisiana$75,6801,450
West Virginia$69,030400

How to become a financial analyst

The typical entry path needs a bachelor's degree, with no work experience in a related job and no on-the-job training[6]. The Occupational Outlook Handbook profile covers a wider group of occupations than this page, so its training details describe that group[15].

Some employers prefer candidates with a master's degree[16]. A master's in finance or business administration may also help analysts move up to portfolio or fund manager roles[20]. This page has no facts on how long the degree takes or what it costs.

O*NET places the job in Job Zone Four, which means considerable preparation is needed[21].

What financial analysts do

ONET describes the work as running quantitative analyses of investment programs or financial data, including valuing businesses[22]. Tasks listed by ONET include:

The handbook lists analytical, communication, computer, decision-making, math and detail skills as important[24][25][26][27][28][29]. Workers report job titles such as equity research analyst, investment analyst, planning analyst and portfolio manager[30].

Where they work

Financial analysts work mainly in offices, and they may travel to visit companies or clients[31]. Full-time work is typical, and some analysts work more than 40 hours a week[32]. The largest single employer group in 2025 was securities, commodity contracts and related financial activities, at 24% of financial analysts[33]. About 2.2% of financial and investment analysts were self-employed in 2025[34].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of financial and investment analysts to grow 7.2% from 2025 to 2035[2]. That is from about 377,200 to 404,300 jobs, a gain of 27,100[2]. Employment across all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[35]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[2].

BLS expects about 24,700 openings a year on average[5]. Openings include jobs that open when people retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 1.9% of workers leave the labor force and 3.7% move to a different occupation[36].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show a job with pay well above the all-occupations median and growth faster than average[1][4][2][35]. Entry usually needs a bachelor's degree and no set experience[6]. Pay spreads widely, from a 10th percentile of $63,720 to a 90th percentile of $180,860[3]. Location matters too, with state medians ranging from $187,090 in Wyoming to $69,030 in West Virginia[11]. The work is office-based and often full time[31][32]. The job leans on analysis, math and clear writing and presenting[24][25][29].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a financial analyst make an hour?
The median was $49.40 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $56.15[1][7].
What degree do you need to be a financial analyst?
The typical entry path needs a bachelor's degree[6]. The handbook points to finance or a related field such as business[16].
Is financial analyst a growing field?
BLS projects 7.2% growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[2][35]. About 24,700 openings a year are expected[5].
What is the highest paying state for financial analysts?
Wyoming had the highest median at $187,090 but only 190 jobs[11]. New York came second at $127,930 and had the most jobs, 52,380[11][12].
Do financial analysts need a license?
Some positions may require one. Licenses usually need employer sponsorship, so employers do not expect them before hiring[18].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Financial and Investment Analysts in the US was $102,740 per year and $49.40 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Financial and Investment Analysts is projected to grow 7.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 377,200 to 404,300 jobs (a change of +27,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Financial and Investment Analysts: 10th percentile $63,720, 25th percentile $79,290, 75th percentile $133,340, 90th percentile $180,860. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 24,700 openings for Financial and Investment Analysts are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Financial and Investment Analysts: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Financial and Investment Analysts was $116,800 per year and $56.15 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Financial and Investment Analysts: 10th percentile $30.64, 25th percentile $38.12, 75th percentile $64.11, 90th percentile $86.95. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Financial and Investment Analysts in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Financial and Investment Analysts jobs: New York 52,380; California 45,380; Texas 28,820; Florida 23,900; Illinois 20,520. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Financial and Investment Analysts (areas with at least 100 jobs): Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $158,310; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $144,910; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $130,520; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $128,930; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $124,790; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $117,520; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $117,280; Anchorage, AK $113,010. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Financial and Investment Analysts jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 53,870 (median $128,930); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 19,600 (median $102,260); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 17,150 (median $101,750); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 13,010 (median $117,520); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 11,530 (median $100,350); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 10,930 (median $108,330). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Financial Analysts" covers Financial and Investment Analysts together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. O*NET 13-2051.00: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. O*NET OnLine
  22. O*NET description of Financial and Investment Analysts. O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET task list for Financial and Investment Analysts. O*NET OnLine
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. O*NET 13-2051.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Analyst, Credit Products Officer, Equity Research Analyst, Financial Analyst, Investment Analyst, Planning Analyst, Portfolio Manager, Real Estate Analyst. O*NET OnLine
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of financial analysts in 2025: Securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and related activities 24%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Employment Projections: 2.2% of Financial and Investment Analysts were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Financial and Investment Analysts: 1.9% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.