Financial Analyst Salary
Financial Analyst - View salary data across all locations
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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Financial Analyst Salaries
What is the average financial analyst salary in the United States?
The average financial analyst salary across U.S. metropolitan areas is approximately $99,968 per year. However, salaries vary significantly by location, with some areas paying up to $137,798.
Where do financial analysts earn the most money?
San Jose, CA offers the highest average salary for financial analysts at $137,798 per year. Other high-paying areas can be found on our top paying cities for financial analysts page.
How can I increase my salary as a financial analyst?
To increase your earning potential as a financial analyst, consider gaining additional certifications, specializing in high-demand areas, relocating to higher-paying metropolitan areas, negotiating salary during job transitions, and continuously developing your skills. Experience and demonstrated results also significantly impact earning potential.
What is the hourly rate for financial analysts?
The average hourly rate for financial analysts is approximately $48.06 per hour (based on a standard 2,080-hour work year). Hourly rates range from $41.34 to $66.25 depending on location.