Business and Financial Operations

Financial and Investment Analysts

Financial analysts guide businesses and individuals in decisions about expending money to attain profit.

See live financial and investment analysts jobs Compare this career
31/100
Jobs.best score
#131 of 825
$102,740
median pay, U.S.
361,980
employed (2024)
+5.7%
growth, 2024–34
25,100
openings per year
Bachelor's degree
typical entry education

Is financial and investment analysts a good career?

It scores 31/100 and ranks #131 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.

Advantages

  • Pays well above the U.S. median wage ($102,740 vs $61,390)
  • High volume of openings — about 25,100 a year

Possible tradeoffs

  • Typically requires a bachelor's degree

What financial and investment analysts earn

Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025

Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. financial and investment analysts earn between $79,290 and $133,340 a year.

Best-paying states

same axis · ranked by median
Wyoming statewide
$187,090
New York statewide
$127,930
Oregon statewide
$120,590
Massachusetts statewide
$111,040
Connecticut statewide
$109,500
California statewide
$109,110
New Jersey statewide
$108,610
Washington statewide
$107,210
District of Columbia statewide
$105,780
Virginia statewide
$105,490
$60k $210k $360k

Best-paying metros

01 Bridgeport, CT $158,310
02 San Jose, CA $144,910
03 Prescott Valley, AZ $135,680
04 San Francisco, CA $130,520
05 New York, NY $128,930
06 Seattle, WA $124,790
07 Barnstable Town, MA $121,530
08 Idaho Falls, ID $119,170

Strongest employment concentration

01 New York 52,380
02 California 45,380
03 Texas 28,820
04 Florida 23,900
05 Illinois 20,520
06 Massachusetts 14,790

Live financial and investment analysts jobs

How to become a financial and investment analyst

Typical education
Bachelor's degree
Work experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Outlook
Employment is projected to grow faster than average through 2034.

Education

Most entry-level positions for financial analysts require a bachelor’s degree; a common field of degree is business. Some employers prefer to hire job candidates who have a master’s degree.

Licenses, certifications & registrations

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the main licensing organization for the securities industry. A license is generally required to sell financial products, which may apply to some positions. Because most of the licenses require sponsorship by an employer, companies do not expect individuals to have these licenses before starting a job.

Employers often recommend certification, which may improve the chances for advancement.

Advancement

Financial analysts typically start by specializing in an investment field. As they gain experience, they may become portfolio managers and select the mix of investments for a company’s portfolio. They also may become fund managers of large investment portfolios for individual investors. Having a master’s degree in finance or business administration may improve an analyst’s chances of advancing to one of these positions.

Important qualities

Analytical skills. Financial analysts must evaluate a range of information in finding profitable investments.

Communication skills. Financial analysts must be able to clearly explain their recommendations to clients.

Computer skills. Financial analysts must be adept at using software to analyze financial data and trends, create portfolios, and make forecasts.

Decision-making skills. Financial analysts must reach conclusions so that they can recommend whether to buy, hold, or sell a security.

Detail oriented. Financial analysts must pay attention when reviewing a possible investment, as even small issues may have large implications for its health.

Math skills. Financial analysts use mathematics to estimate the value of financial securities.

SOURCE: OOH 2024–34

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Questions about becoming a financial and investment analyst
How much do financial and investment analysts make?

The national median wage is $102,740 a year, with the middle half earning between $79,290 and $133,340 (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Is financial and investment analysts a good career?

On the Jobs.best index it scores 31 of 100 and ranks #131 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +5.7% through 2034.

What education do you need to become a financial and investment analyst?

The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree.

Where do financial and investment analysts earn the most?

Among states, Wyoming pays the highest median ($187,090). Local pay for every state and metro is below.

U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsWages: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Projections: BLS EP 2024–34
Sources: OEWS-M2025 · EP-2024-34 · OOH-2024-34. How we score careers →
See where this ranks — Best paying jobs in business and finance · Best jobs in Casper, WY · Best jobs in Cheyenne, WY · Best jobs in Wyoming