How much does a financial analyst make?
The median financial analyst in the United States earns $101,350 per year, about $48.73 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all financial analysts earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 13-2051.
Financial analyst salary range
Pay for financial analysts spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $62,410 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $180,550. The average (mean) wage of $116,490 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $62,410 | $30.00 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $78,300 | $37.64 | |
| Median (50th) | $101,350 | $48.73 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $132,050 | $63.49 | |
| 90th percentile | $180,550 | $86.80 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for financial and investment analysts (SOC 13-2051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Financial analyst salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Financial analysts earn the most in Wyoming at $213,940 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $60,870. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $213,940 | 220 |
| New York | $126,580 | 47,130 |
| California | $111,100 | 40,570 |
| New Jersey | $109,380 | 11,100 |
| Oregon | $107,680 | 2,740 |
| Massachusetts | $107,610 | 18,020 |
| District of Columbia | $106,840 | 3,860 |
| Connecticut | $106,250 | 4,870 |
| Virginia | $104,030 | 8,870 |
| Minnesota | $102,800 | 6,690 |
| Washington | $102,370 | 7,780 |
| North Carolina | $102,220 | 10,330 |
| Illinois | $101,400 | 17,950 |
| Colorado | $99,200 | 9,120 |
| Delaware | $99,170 | 3,140 |
| Maryland | $98,890 | 6,190 |
| Vermont | $96,260 | 260 |
| Montana | $95,990 | 570 |
| Georgia | $95,180 | 10,330 |
| Alabama | $94,660 | 2,780 |
| Alaska | $94,480 | 210 |
| Ohio | $93,690 | 9,290 |
| Texas | $92,370 | 26,940 |
| Maine | $91,840 | N/A |
| Utah | $91,280 | 4,290 |
| New Hampshire | $91,150 | 540 |
| Michigan | $90,400 | 8,020 |
| South Carolina | $89,850 | 3,540 |
| Iowa | $88,940 | 2,230 |
| Idaho | $88,730 | 720 |
| Missouri | $88,400 | 4,740 |
| Wisconsin | $88,230 | 4,960 |
| Arizona | $88,190 | 4,910 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,360 | 12,220 |
| Tennessee | $86,580 | 3,990 |
| Hawaii | $86,100 | 490 |
| Rhode Island | $84,800 | 1,820 |
| Florida | $83,560 | 21,690 |
| Nebraska | $82,700 | 1,000 |
| Kansas | $82,070 | 1,690 |
| Nevada | $81,060 | 1,760 |
| Indiana | $80,420 | 3,080 |
| Oklahoma | $80,210 | 1,810 |
| New Mexico | $79,150 | 870 |
| Arkansas | $78,840 | 1,360 |
| Mississippi | $77,520 | 730 |
| Kentucky | $75,260 | 2,520 |
| North Dakota | $75,000 | 330 |
| West Virginia | $72,550 | 390 |
| Louisiana | $60,870 | 1,490 |
State median wages for financial and investment analysts (SOC 13-2051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for financial analysts
The BLS projects employment of financial analysts to grow 7.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 377,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 404,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 24,700 openings a year for financial analysts. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a financial analyst
The typical entry-level education for financial analysts is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a financial analyst earns
Firm size, industry, certifications, and years of experience drive the spread. Large firms and major financial centers pay well above small-town or entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Wyoming, $213,940) and the lowest (Louisiana, $60,870) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 340,580 people work as financial analysts in the United States. At $101,350 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Financial analyst salary FAQ
How much does a financial analyst make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a financial analyst is $48.73. The middle half of financial analysts earn between $37.64 and $63.49 per hour.
What is the highest financial analyst salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of financial analysts earn more than $180,550 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a financial analyst make a year?
The median annual salary for a financial analyst is $101,350. The average (mean) wage of $116,490 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a financial analyst a well paid job?
At $101,350 a year, a financial analyst earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 340,580 people work as financial analysts in the United States.
Which state pays financial analysts the most?
Wyoming has the highest median salary for financial analysts at $213,940 a year. New York ($126,580) and California ($111,100) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a financial analyst a good career?
Employment of financial analysts is projected to grow 7.2% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 24,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a financial analyst?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for financial analysts as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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