Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Financial and investment analysts evaluate financial information to support decisions about money, investments, and organizational performance. This occupation employs 368,000 people nationally, indicating a substantial presence in the labor market. The national median annual salary of $101,350 shows that these roles can offer strong earning potential. Projected employment growth of 5.7% and 25,000 annual openings suggest ongoing demand for people who can work with financial data and provide insight and recommendations. Success in this field draws on a mix of quantitative strengths, such as mathematics and analytical thinking, and communication-focused skills like writing, speaking, and interpersonal abilities. Detail orientation, problem solving, and comfort with computers and information technology also play a key role. For students, career changers, and professionals interested in finance-related work that blends analysis with communication and decision support, this career offers a mix of competitive pay, significant employment levels, and consistent openings across the country.
Financial and investment analysts have a national median annual salary of $101,350, indicating strong earning potential at the midpoint of the pay scale. Salaries vary by location, creating meaningful geographic differences in pay levels. Among the top states by opportunity score, New York has the highest median salary at $127,930, followed by Massachusetts at $111,040 and California at $109,110. In the top metro areas, pay levels rise even further. The San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA metro shows a median salary of $144,910, and the New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ metro has a median salary of $128,930. Several other metros, including San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA at $130,520 and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH at $117,520, also stand above the national median. These figures indicate that location choices can significantly influence earnings for financial and investment analysts.
Financial and investment analysts show a solid national employment base of 368,000 workers, indicating that this is a well-established occupation. Projected employment growth of 5.7% suggests that total employment is expected to increase over time rather than remain flat or decline. In addition to this growth, the occupation is projected to have 25,000 annual openings. Those openings reflect both new positions and opportunities created as people change jobs or leave the workforce. Taken together, the current employment level, projected growth rate, and annual openings point to a labor market where opportunities are consistently available across the country. For individuals considering this career, these indicators support the idea that there will be ongoing demand for professionals who can apply mathematics, critical and analytical thinking, and decision-making skills to financial and investment questions.
Location plays a major role in career strategy for financial and investment analysts, affecting salary, employment concentration, and overall opportunity scores. Among states, New York stands out with the highest median salary at $127,930 and employment of 52,380, paired with a 5.7% growth rate and an opportunity score of 65.78. California combines a large employment base of 45,380 with a $109,110 median salary and the highest state opportunity score listed, at 67.38. Massachusetts offers a $111,040 median salary and 14,790 employed, with an opportunity score of 65.87. Colorado and Washington provide six-figure median salaries and opportunity scores above 56. At the metro level, the San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA area leads with a $144,910 median salary and the highest opportunity score of 77.42. The New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA metros also show high salaries and strong opportunity scores, giving candidates multiple high-opportunity regional options.
The typical education requirement for financial and investment analysts is a bachelor’s degree, making this a career that generally requires completion of an undergraduate program. Within that educational pathway, a strong emphasis on mathematics supports the quantitative aspects of financial analysis. Critical and analytical thinking, combined with problem solving and decision making, are central to interpreting financial information and forming sound conclusions. Writing and reading skills, along with speaking and listening, help analysts communicate findings clearly to others. Interpersonal abilities and customer service skills support working with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. Project management capabilities help in organizing and completing analytical work on time and within scope. Comfort with computers and information technology, together with a detail-oriented mindset, aligns with the data-driven nature of financial analysis. Students and career changers can use this skill profile to guide their choice of bachelor’s programs and supplemental learning experiences.
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