Get In-Demand Finance Certifications
Financial Analyst Salary Guide: Pay Ranges, Career Growth & Certification Impact
Understanding financial analyst salary trends is essential whether you’re comparing job offers, planning your next promotion, or simply benchmarking your compensation against the market.
This guide breaks down U.S. salary data by experience level, location, industry, and certifications, giving you a clear, data-backed view of how pay evolves across a finance career. It also covers bonuses, total compensation, and practical strategies to increase your earning potential over time.
Financial Analyst Salary Overview (U.S. Benchmarks)
If you’re asking, “How much does a financial analyst make?”, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Financial and Investment Analysts offers a reliable national benchmark. The mean (average) salary for financial analysts is $116,490, with a median salary of $101,350.
The percentile breakdown below shows typical earnings across the salary band. Entry-level financial analysts usually benchmark closer to the 10th–25th percentiles. If you’re specialized (or in competitive industries/metros), you can land nearer the 75th–90th percentile.
| 10th percentile | $62,410 |
| 25th percentile | $78,300 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $101,350 |
| 75th percentile | $132,050 |
| 90th percentile | $180,550 |
| Mean (average) | $116,490 |
Financial Analyst Salary by Experience Level
Entry-Level Financial Analyst Salary
An entry-level financial analyst’s salary runs from $62,000 to $78,000 (Source: BLS). Entry-level financial analyst roles typically require 0 to 2 years of experience, including recent college graduates and former interns transitioning to full-time positions.
Your degree field can influence starting offers: finance, accounting, and economics majors often have a slight edge, though employers also hire candidates from math, statistics, and related quantitative backgrounds. Regardless of major, the entry-level financial analyst salary range usually sits near the lower end of the market.
For students and early-career professionals looking to become a financial analyst, the fastest way to move up the starting band is to show day-one readiness with strong Excel skills, reliable financial models, and clear communication of analytical insights.
Mid-Level Financial Analyst Salary
A mid-level financial analyst’s salary ranges from $85,000 to $110,000 (Sources: BLS and Glassdoor). Bonus eligibility also becomes more consistent with payouts varying based on individual, team, and company performance.
Mid-level commonly means 3 to 6 years of experience in corporate finance. At this stage, analysts usually own parts of budgeting and forecasting, manage recurring reporting, and work cross-functionally with teams like sales or operations with less day-to-day supervision.
Industry and location can widen the base salary range. You’ll often see higher pay in major metros and in more competitive types of financial analysts in investment banking, asset management, and consulting, compared with corporate finance and FP&A roles.
Senior Financial Analyst Salary
A typical senior financial analyst’s salary ranges from $100,000 to $183,000 (Sources: BLS and Glassdoor). Senior financial analyst roles require 3 to 10+ years of experience, depending on the market segment and employer. At this level, you’re leading budgeting and forecasting cycles, partnering with business leaders, and mentoring new analysts.
As your responsibilities increase, total compensation also tends to increase meaningfully through cash bonuses, company stock, profit sharing, or other components. Cash bonuses are more common in established organizations, while startups and high-growth firms may lean more heavily on equity awards.
Senior financial analysts often move into finance manager or director roles as you increase your impact, stakeholder influence, and decision ownership. Keep this in mind if you’re learning what a financial analyst does, which paths might fit you best, and how to gain the right qualifications.
Financial Analyst Salary Range by Major U.S. Metro Areas
Location can change pay dramatically, even before bonuses. The table below shows how the financial analyst salary bands differ across major U.S. metro areas.
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $80,910 | $102,400 | $128,490 | $171,770 | $221,110 | $148,980 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $82,940 | $101,840 | $128,470 | $167,800 | $221,640 | $152,390 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $75,900 | $84,770 | $110,450 | $167,820 | $208,210 | $133,690 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $77,960 | $92,520 | $111,410 | $134,990 | $167,380 | $117,680 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $64,070 | $78,550 | $102,790 | $133,030 | $202,050 | $117,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $65,890 | $82,010 | $102,660 | $131,490 | $172,180 | $116,110 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $60,910 | $73,450 | $95,850 | $124,450 | $155,300 | $104,190 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $64,380 | $79,400 | $92,430 | $126,540 | $161,510 | $113,720 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Maps for Financial and Investment Analysts (May 2024)
Cost of living can explain some of these salary variances, but it isn’t the only driver. Two financial analysts in the same city can land very different offers based on industry (investment banking vs. corporate), role scope, and how closely the work ties to revenue, deals, or investment decisions.
When you compare offers across cities, look at both salary and expected monthly costs (housing, transportation, taxes) so you’re comparing purchasing power, not just headline pay.
Salary Differences by Industry
Industry is one of the biggest pay levers because it shapes how closely your work ties to revenue, risk, or investing outcomes. The table below illustrates how salaries vary across common analyst career paths.
| Investment banking / capital markets | Securities, commodity contracts, other financial investments and related activities | $139,750 |
| Asset management | Other investment pools and funds | $146,640 |
| Corporate finance (Corporate HQ / FP&A) | Management of companies and enterprises | $103,450 |
| Consulting | Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | $109,970 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Industry Profile for Financial and Investment Analysts (May 2023)
Some industries pay more for financial analysts because they often have higher revenue per employee and more performance-linked compensation. Financial analyst salaries in startups can also skew higher or lower depending on the cash/equity mix, business stage, and how compensation is structured.
Certified Financial Analyst Salary & Credential Impact
The phrase certified financial analyst salary often refers to the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) credential, focusing on investment research, portfolio management, and asset valuation. The average pay for a CFA Charterholder is $180,000, according to CFA Institute, which likely includes base salary and bonus. Glassdoor reports CFA median total compensation at $187,000 (reasonably consistent with CFA’s data).
Earning a CFA requires a long-term commitment that takes 3 to 5 years on average, requires candidates to pass three levels of rigorous exams, and meet requirements for work experience.
CFA vs CPA vs MBA: Compensation Comparison
Choosing between CFA, CPA, and MBA depends on your career and compensation goals:
- CFA – Best for investment analysis, equity and fixed income research, and portfolio management careers, with average annual pay of $180,000 (Source: CFA Institute).
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – Best for corporate public accounting, taxes, and auditing, with average annual pay of $91,980. (Source: ZipRecruiter).
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) – Best for broad career tracks in business, such as general management, consulting, and career networking, with average annual pay of $121,324 (Source: US News & World Report).
Is Certification Worth It for Financial Analysts?
Earning a certification is worth it when the credential significantly expands your skill set, helps you qualify for jobs or promotions, and boosts your credibility. If you lack relevant internships, finance projects, or a finance-heavy degree, a solid certification can act as a credibility signal and help you stand out to employers reviewing a stack of similar resumes.
Financial Analyst Salary After Bonuses & Total Compensation
Base Salary vs. Bonus
Base salary is your guaranteed pay, while bonuses — typically paid annually — depend on company performance, team results, and your individual contribution. In corporate finance roles, bonuses average $1,000 to $10,000 (PayScale), making base salary the largest component. In investment banking, bonuses range from 50% to 100% of base salary (Selby Jennings), which can increase total compensation well beyond salary.
Some employers add longer-term incentives like profit sharing, equity grants, or stock-based compensation. This approach is more common in public companies, tech firms, and executive leadership roles. If an offer includes equity, focus on vesting schedule, grant type, and whether there’s a liquid market for the shares.
Typical Bonus Percentages by Career Stage and Market Segment
| Corporate Finance/FP&A | $62,000–$85,000 | $85,000–$140,000 | $140,000–$200,000+ | Cash bonus (10–20%) |
| Investment Banking | $160,000–$225,000 | $295,000–$400,000 | $600,000–$1,500,000+ | Cash bonus (50–100%+) |
| Asset Management | $100,000–$150,000 | $150,000–$250,000 | $300,000–$500,000+ | Bonus + carried interest at senior levels |
Sources: PayScale Financial Analyst Salary (Dec 2025); Selby Jennings Investment Banking Compensation Guide (2024); Prospect Rock Partners IB Analyst Compensation Report (Aug 2025); Wall Street Oasis Compensation Benchmarking (Feb 2025); Abacum FP&A Salary Guide (Jun 2025). Figures represent typical ranges; actual compensation varies by firm, location, and performance.
Bonus decisions tie back to measurable outcomes. This includes company metrics like revenue and profitability, team metrics like forecast accuracy and on-time deliverables, and individual metrics like quality of analysis and documented impact. When comparing roles with similar base pay, asking about bonus targets can help you understand the real difference in total compensation.
How to Increase Your Financial Analyst Salary
Career Progression Path & Salary Growth
If you want to increase your financial analyst salary over time, focus on taking on bigger responsibilities and moving into roles with broader ownership, not just adding years of experience. A typical path moves from entry-level analyst (0–2 years) to mid-level (3–5 years) to senior analyst (5–10+ years), with each step bringing higher base pay and bonus potential.
Many financial analysts eventually progress into management roles like finance manager or director, where compensation depends heavily on team size, budget scope, and industry. This is the same skill progression you see in a world-class financial analyst.
Salary Negotiation Tips for Financial Analysts
Negotiation works best when you’re specific and backed by data:
- Benchmark first: Pull salary ranges from 2-3 sources (Glassdoor, Salary.com, PayScale) before any conversation.
- Time it right: Negotiate when you receive an offer — this is when you have the most leverage. In a current role, start before annual review cycles when budgets are still flexible.
- Lead with performance: Highlight measurable impact (costs saved, profit increases, errors reduced) to answer “why should we pay more?”
- Leverage credentials: Certifications help justify higher pay when they show you can handle more complex or senior-level work.
How to Use Salary Insights to Advance Your Finance Career
Salary data becomes useful when you turn it into decisions: which roles you target, which markets you consider, and which skills you build next. In this guide, the biggest drivers of financial analyst salary were experience level, location, industry, and whether your compensation includes bonuses or other variable pay.
If your goal is to increase compensation, focus on job-ready skills that help you take on bigger responsibilities and qualify for higher-paying roles. CFI’s Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) certification is designed to build exactly these skills — practical modeling, analysis, and presentation capabilities that translate directly to analyst work.
Ready to build practical finance skills that get you ready for real analyst work?
Frequently Asked Questions About Financial Analyst Salaries
1. What is the average financial analyst salary in the U.S.?
The average financial analyst salary is $116,490, and the median is $101,350, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The full financial analyst salary range spans from $62,410 (10th percentile) to $180,550 (90th percentile), depending on location, industry, and experience level.
2. What is the typical financial analyst starting salary?
The typical financial analyst starting salary ranges from $62,410 to $78,300 for professionals with 0–2 years of experience, based on BLS national percentiles. An entry-level financial analyst’s salary can vary further depending on location, employer, and degree field.
3. How much does a senior financial analyst make?
A senior financial analyst makes $100,000 to $183,000, according to BLS and Glassdoor data. Senior financial analyst salary varies based on industry, location, and experience. Bonuses in sectors like investment banking and asset management can significantly increase total compensation.
4. Does a CFA increase a financial analyst’s salary?
Yes, a CFA can increase a financial analyst’s salary. CFA Institute reports average annual pay of $180,000 for charterholders. The certified financial analyst salary premium reflects demand for investment-focused skills in asset management, equity research, and portfolio management roles.
5. What industries pay financial analysts the most?
Investment banking pays financial analysts the most, with entry-level total compensation starting around $160,000 and senior roles reaching $600,000 to over $1 million, according to Selby Jennings. Asset management and consulting also offer analysts higher pay compared to corporate finance. Total compensation varies significantly by industry due to differences in revenue models and bonus structures.
6. How fast does a financial analyst’s salary grow over time?
A financial analyst’s salary can grow significantly over 3–6 years as you move from entry-level to senior roles, with each promotion bringing higher base pay and bonus potential. However, salary growth isn’t automatic. It depends on taking on bigger responsibilities, building skills, and pursuing the right opportunities rather than simply adding years of experience.
Additional Resources
Investment Banking Analyst Career Guide
0 search results for ‘’
People also search for:
excel
power bi
esg
accounting
balance sheet
fmva
real estate
Explore Our Certifications
Resources
Popular Courses
Recent Searches