The median financial analyst salary in the United States was $103,570 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s roughly double the median for all U.S. workers. For the wider group of financial and investment analysts, the lowest 10% earned less than $63,720 and the top 10% earned more than $180,860.
Financial analyst salary at a glance
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Median annual pay (financial analysts) | $103,570 |
| Median, financial and investment analysts | $102,740 |
| Lowest 10% | under $63,720 |
| Highest 10% | over $180,860 |
| Financial risk specialists (median) | $117,330 |
| Jobs in the U.S. (2025) | 443,100 |
| Projected growth 2025–35 | 7% (much faster than average) |
Source: BLS, financial analysts.
Pay by industry
Where you work has a big effect on pay. Median wages for financial and investment analysts in the top industries (May 2025):
| Industry | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Securities, commodities and financial investments | $133,070 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | $119,550 |
| Credit intermediation (banks and lenders) | $112,060 |
| Management of companies (corporate head offices) | $110,090 |
| Insurance carriers | $105,570 |
Analysts at investment firms and banks tend to earn more, partly because bonuses are a bigger part of pay.
What changes a financial analyst’s pay
Role type
“Financial analyst” covers several jobs:
- Corporate / FP&A analysts build budgets and forecasts inside companies.
- Investment analysts research stocks, bonds or companies for asset managers.
- Credit analysts assess whether borrowers can repay.
- Risk analysts measure market, credit or operational risk.
- Investment banking analysts build valuation models for deals; typically the highest junior pay but the longest hours.
Experience
Analysts typically progress to senior analyst, then manager or portfolio manager. Financial managers, a common next step, earned a median of $166,570 in May 2025.
Credentials
The CFA charter is valued in investment roles; the CPA or ACCA helps in corporate finance and accounting-heavy roles; FRM helps in risk. Credentials signal expertise and can support promotions and higher offers.
Skills
Strong Excel modelling, financial statement analysis and, increasingly, Python or SQL and data visualisation tools help analysts stand out.
Location
New York, San Francisco, Boston and other financial centres pay the most.
Entry-level financial analyst salary
New graduates usually start below the median, nearer the lower part of the range, depending on industry and city. Investment banking and some asset management roles pay more at entry level, with bonuses.
How to earn more as a financial analyst
- Move closer to investment decisions or revenue, such as investment research or deal teams.
- Earn a relevant credential (CFA, CPA, FRM) that matches your path.
- Add technical skills: Python, SQL, Power BI or Tableau.
- Specialise in an industry such as healthcare, energy or technology.
- Change employers strategically to a higher-paying industry from the table above.
For a related high-paying path, see our investment banking career guide or quant analyst salary guide.
FAQ
Do financial analysts make six figures?
Yes. The median was above $100,000 in May 2025, though entry-level pay is usually lower.
Which financial analysts earn the most?
Analysts in securities and investment firms earned the highest median pay ($133,070) in May 2025. Financial risk specialists also earn above the analyst median.
Is financial analysis a growing field?
BLS projects 7% growth from 2025 to 2035, which is much faster than average.
*Figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025.*
