Financial Analyst: Career Overview
Official government data · Updated April 2026
Financial Analysts earn a national median of $101,350/yr with 5.7% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Economics and Accounting, Mathematics, English Language.
Median Salary
$101,350
National · 2024
10-Year Growth
5.7%
About as fast as average
Employed Nationally
340,580
2024 data
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree
Entry-level
What Employers Expect From a Financial Analyst
These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Financial Analyst candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge domains most important for Financial Analyst performance, based on verified occupational data.
Tools & Technologies
High-demand tools and technologies for Financial Analyst roles.
Job Outlook: 2024–2034
Employment is projected to grow 5.7% for Financial Analyst roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's about as fast as average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.
- Current Employment
- 340,580
- Projected Growth
- 5.7%
- Typical Education
- Bachelor's degree
Top Employers
Companies actively hiring for Financial Analyst roles, ranked by disclosure volume. Salaries reflect base pay from employer disclosure records.
| Company | Median Disclosed Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Morgan Stanley | $225,000 | 15 |
| Bank of America | $200,000 | 7 |
| JPMorgan Chase & Co | $180,000 | 41 |
| KPMG LLP | $151,341 | 9 |
| BlackRock Inc | $127,750 | 16 |
| Goldman Sachs & Co | $119,800 | 123 |
Base salary only — excludes equity and bonuses.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Financial Analyst do?
- Financial Analysts apply expertise in Economics and Accounting, Mathematics, English Language to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include .
- How much does a Financial Analyst make?
- The national median salary for a Financial Analyst is $101,350 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
- Is Financial Analyst a good career in 2026?
- Employment for Financial Analyst roles is projected to grow 5.7% over the 2024–2034 decade — about as fast as average compared to all occupations. There are currently 340,580 workers in this occupation nationally.
- What education do you need to become a Financial Analyst?
- The typical entry-level education for a Financial Analyst is Bachelor's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
- What skills do Financial Analysts need?
- The most important skills for Financial Analyst roles based on verified occupational data: . Key tools and technologies include: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Power BI, Microsoft PowerPoint.
Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?
Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.
Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.