Financial Analyst Salary: $99,968 Average (2026)
2026 DataCompare financial analyst salaries across 50 US cities. Pay ranges from $85,997 to $137,798.
Highest Paying Cities for Financial Analysts
Average Salary
$99,968
across all locations
Highest Paying
$137,798
San Jose, CA
Locations Covered
50
metro areas
Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Financial Analysts
See which cities pay Financial Analysts the most, from $137,798 down to the #10 spot.
Financial Analyst Salary Comparison by Metro
Top 10 highest paying metro areas compared to national average ($99,890)
| Rank | Metro Area | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | San Jose, CA | $137,798 |
| #2 | San Francisco, CA | $133,221 |
| #3 | Seattle, WA | $121,605 |
| #4 | Boston, MA | $120,051 |
| #5 | New York, NY | $116,379 |
| #6 | Los Angeles, CA | $114,061 |
| #7 | Washington, DC | $113,401 |
| #8 | San Diego, CA | $107,776 |
| #9 | Austin, TX | $107,467 |
| #10 | Denver, CO | $105,958 |
COL Adjusted = Salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher values indicate better purchasing power.
Financial Analyst Salary by Experience Level
Average salary ranges across all 50 metro areas based on experience
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
Entry-Level 10th Percentile | $64,682 | $31.10/hr |
Mid-Career 50th (Median) | $99,968 | $48.06/hr |
Senior / Experienced 90th Percentile | $145,233 | $69.82/hr |
Entry to Mid Growth
+$35,286
+55%
Mid to Senior Growth
+$45,266
+45%
Total Career Growth
+$80,552
+125%
Financial Analyst Salary by Location
| Location | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $137,798 | $66.25 | 294 |
| San Francisco, CA | $133,221 | $64.05 | 446 |
| Seattle, WA | $121,605 | $58.46 | 311 |
| Boston, MA | $120,051 | $57.72 | 395 |
| New York, NY | $116,379 | $55.95 | 580 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $114,061 | $54.84 | 377 |
| Washington, DC | $113,401 | $54.52 | 423 |
| San Diego, CA | $107,776 | $51.82 | 293 |
| Austin, TX | $107,467 | $51.67 | 287 |
| Denver, CO | $105,958 | $50.94 | 296 |
| Chicago, IL | $105,428 | $50.69 | 409 |
| Sacramento, CA | $104,484 | $50.23 | 319 |
| Portland, OR | $103,324 | $49.68 | 284 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $102,675 | $49.36 | 279 |
| Baltimore, MD | $102,035 | $49.06 | 250 |
| Miami, FL | $102,016 | $49.05 | 288 |
| Raleigh, NC | $101,894 | $48.99 | 320 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $101,236 | $48.67 | 309 |
| Hartford, CT | $99,858 | $48.01 | 307 |
| Riverside, CA | $99,348 | $47.76 | 286 |
| Dallas, TX | $98,900 | $47.55 | 288 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $97,994 | $47.11 | 306 |
| Nashville, TN | $97,903 | $47.07 | 284 |
| Providence, RI | $97,436 | $46.84 | 278 |
| Atlanta, GA | $97,398 | $46.83 | 356 |
| Houston, TX | $96,439 | $46.36 | 309 |
| Richmond, VA | $96,285 | $46.29 | 289 |
| Charlotte, NC | $96,188 | $46.24 | 280 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $95,922 | $46.12 | 239 |
| Detroit, MI | $95,703 | $46.01 | 308 |
| Orlando, FL | $95,031 | $45.69 | 238 |
| Tampa, FL | $94,944 | $45.65 | 269 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $94,590 | $45.48 | 255 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $94,318 | $45.35 | 252 |
| Cleveland, OH | $94,233 | $45.30 | 286 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $94,197 | $45.29 | 304 |
| Columbus, OH | $94,148 | $45.26 | 240 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $93,188 | $44.80 | 282 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $92,862 | $44.65 | 320 |
| St. Louis, MO | $91,383 | $43.93 | 240 |
| New Orleans, LA | $91,141 | $43.82 | 295 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $90,318 | $43.42 | 283 |
| San Antonio, TX | $90,302 | $43.41 | 262 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $90,242 | $43.39 | 300 |
| Kansas City, MO | $90,185 | $43.36 | 240 |
| Louisville, KY | $88,613 | $42.60 | 275 |
| Tucson, AZ | $87,779 | $42.20 | 273 |
| Birmingham, AL | $87,655 | $42.14 | 318 |
| Memphis, TN | $87,074 | $41.86 | 272 |
| El Paso, TX | $85,997 | $41.34 | 315 |
About Financial Analyst Careers
Financial analysts evaluate investment opportunities, analyze financial data, and provide guidance to businesses and individuals making investment decisions. They study economic trends, company performance, and market conditions to forecast financial outcomes. Financial analysts are essential to the functioning of capital markets and corporate finance.
Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the average financial analyst salary across all U.S. metropolitan areas is $99,968 per year. Salaries range from $85,997 in El Paso, TX to $137,798 in San Jose, CA, reflecting significant variation based on location, cost of living, and local demand. There are approximately 15,209 professionals employed as financial analysts across the metro areas we track.
What Does a Financial Analyst Do?
Financial Analysts perform a variety of essential duties in their daily work:
- Analyze financial statements and business performance
- Evaluate investment opportunities and make recommendations
- Create financial models and forecasts
- Monitor economic trends and market conditions
- Prepare reports and presentations for clients or leadership
- Assess risk factors in investment decisions
- Track industry developments and competitive landscapes
Education Requirements
Financial analysts typically need a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field. Many employers prefer candidates with an MBA or professional certifications such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Advanced positions often require advanced degrees or extensive experience.
Key Skills for Financial Analysts
Factors That Affect Financial Analyst Salary
Several factors influence how much a financial analyst earns:
Career Path & Advancement
Financial analysts typically start as junior analysts before advancing to senior analyst and associate positions. Career progression can lead to portfolio manager, research director, or finance director roles. Top performers may become partners at investment firms or chief financial officers at corporations.
Job Outlook
Employment of financial analysts is expected to grow faster than average as the economy grows and financial markets become more complex. Analysts with expertise in data analytics, risk management, and emerging technologies will have strong career prospects.
Work Environment
Financial analysts typically work in offices in the financial services industry, corporate headquarters, or government agencies. The work can be demanding, with long hours required during earnings seasons, deal closings, or market volatility. Many analysts work more than 40 hours per week.
Career Prospects for Financial Analysts
The job market for financial analysts continues to evolve with changing economic conditions and technological advancements. Professionals entering this field should be prepared for a dynamic career landscape that rewards adaptability and continuous skill development.
With approximately 15,209 financial analysts employed across the metropolitan areas we track, the profession offers substantial employment opportunities. Industry projections suggest steady demand driven by factors including technological innovation, demographic shifts, and evolving business needs.
Professionals who invest in specialized certifications, stay current with industry trends, and develop complementary skills in emerging technologies tend to command higher salaries and have better job security. Networking and maintaining strong professional relationships also play crucial roles in career advancement within this field.
Geographic Salary Variations for Financial Analysts
Salary for financial analysts varies significantly by geographic location. The highest-paying metropolitan area, San Jose, CA, offers a median salary of $137,798, while the lowest in our data, El Paso, TX, pays approximately $85,997. This represents a salary difference of $51,801 (60% higher).
Cost of living is a critical factor when evaluating salaries across locations. Higher-paying metropolitan areas like San Francisco, New York, and Seattle typically have significantly higher housing costs, taxes, and general expenses. When considering relocation, calculate your potential take-home pay after accounting for local cost of living differences.
Regional demand also affects compensation. Areas with strong industries that heavily employ financial analysts often pay premium salaries to attract and retain talent. Conversely, regions with surplus labor or fewer industry concentrations may offer lower compensation. Remote work opportunities have begun to change these dynamics, allowing some professionals to earn higher salaries while living in lower-cost areas.
Advancement Opportunities for Financial Analysts
Career advancement for financial analysts typically follows several paths. Technical advancement involves deepening expertise and specializing in high-demand niches, while management tracks offer opportunities to lead teams and oversee larger projects. Both paths can lead to significant salary increases over time.
Entry-level financial analysts can expect to progress from starting salaries around $54,598to the median salary of $99,968 within 3-5 years with solid performance and skill development. Top performers who reach senior levels can earn $192,262 or more, representing the top 10% of earners in this profession.
Professional development investments that typically yield the highest returns include industry certifications, advanced degrees, leadership training, and expertise in emerging technologies or methodologies. Professionals who consistently deliver results and build strong professional networks tend to advance more quickly and negotiate better compensation packages.
Frequently Asked Questions About Financial Analyst Salaries
The average financial analyst salary across all U.S. metropolitan areas is $99,968 per year as of 2026. This is based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics data covering 50 metro areas. Salaries range from $85,997 in El Paso, TX to $137,798 in San Jose, CA.
The average hourly rate for financial analysts is $48.06 per hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Hourly rates vary by location, ranging from $41.34/hour in lower-paying areas to $66.25/hour in top-paying cities like San Jose.
San Jose, CA is the highest paying metro area for financial analysts, with a median salary of $137,798 per year. This is 38% above the national average of $99,968. Other high-paying areas typically include major tech hubs and cities with high costs of living.
Entry-level financial analysts (10th percentile) typically earn around $64,682 per year nationally. Starting salaries depend on education, certifications, location, and industry. Most entry-level professionals can expect to reach the median salary of $99,968 within 3-5 years of career growth.
The average financial analyst salary of $99,968 is 69% higher than the typical U.S. worker salary of approximately $59,228. Top earners in this profession (90th percentile) can make $145,233 or more annually.
El Paso, TX has the lowest financial analyst salary at $85,997 per year. However, lower salaries often correlate with lower costs of living, which can result in similar purchasing power. The salary difference between the highest and lowest paying areas is $51,801.
There are approximately 15,209 financial analysts employed across the 50 metropolitan areas tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This represents a moderate-sized job market with opportunities in business & finance industries nationwide.
The biggest factors affecting financial analyst salary include: geographic location (salaries vary by up to $51,801 across cities), years of experience, industry sector, Industry sector (investment banking, hedge funds, corporate finance), CFA certification and other credentials. Metropolitan areas with high industry demand and cost of living typically pay more.
In-demand skills that boost financial analyst salaries include: Strong analytical and quantitative abilities, Proficiency in financial modeling and Excel, Knowledge of financial markets and instruments, Attention to detail and accuracy, Communication and presentation skills. Industry sector (investment banking, hedge funds, corporate finance) Developing specialized expertise can help you reach the top 25% of earners ($123,448).
Financial Analyst salaries have generally kept pace with inflation, with the current average of $99,968 reflecting 2026 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The job outlook is positive, which typically supports continued salary growth. Professionals who develop in-demand skills and pursue certifications tend to see above-average salary increases.
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Data Freshness & Source
Current DataLast Updated
March 2027
Data Source
BLS 2026 OEWS
Next Update Expected
March 2027
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. This is the most comprehensive source of occupation-specific wage data in the United States.
About Our Salary Data
This salary data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2026 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. The BLS collects wage data from employers each May and publishes results the following spring. Our data reflects the most recent official government statistics available. The next BLS data release is expected in March 2027.
Financial Analyst Salary by State
Compare financial analyst salaries across 31 states. Click a state for detailed city-by-city salary data.