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Financial Analyst: Salary, Requirements & How to Become One

A data-driven guide to the Financial Analyst career path — what the role involves, how to get hired, and how much demand there is right now.

$102,740
median annual salary
$49.40
median hourly pay
361,980
employed nationally
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How much does a Financial Analyst make?

The median Financial Analyst salary is $102,740 per year (about $49.40/hour). Pay scales with experience, location, and employer — here is the full national distribution:

PercentileAnnual salaryWhat it means
10th (entry)$63,720Bottom 10% — new entrants, lower-cost areas
Median (50th)$102,740Typical Financial Analyst pay
90th (top)$180,860Top 10% — senior, high-cost metros

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025, occupation "Financial and Investment Analysts" (SOC 13-2051). Official U.S. government wage data.

How to become a Financial Analyst

  1. Build the core skills — through schooling, certification, or self-study relevant to Financial Analyst work.
  2. Gain hands-on experience via entry-level roles, internships, or apprenticeships.
  3. Prepare a targeted resume highlighting measurable results.
  4. Apply through major job boards and company career pages; filter for "Financial Analyst jobs near me".
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People also search for

financial analyst · financial analyst jobs

Financial Analyst careers — frequently asked questions

How much does a Financial Analyst make?
The median Financial Analyst salary is $102,740 per year (about $49.40/hour), per BLS OEWS, May 2025. The middle range runs from $63,720 (10th percentile) to $180,860 (90th percentile), varying by experience, location, and employer.
How do I become a Financial Analyst?
Most paths combine relevant education or certification with hands-on experience. Entry-level openings and apprenticeships are a common way in.
Is Financial Analyst a good career in 2026?
Financial and Investment Analysts employ roughly 361,980 people nationally (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and search demand runs near 100,000 queries per month — both signal steady hiring.

Hiring companies to explore

Amazon12,197,700 searches/moIndeed9,217,200 searches/moWalmart7,313,250 searches/moMcdonald's2,080,550 searches/moUps1,730,000 searches/moTarget1,590,500 searches/mo