Financial Analyst Salaries & Wage Percentiles
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology
Conduct quantitative analyses of financial information, asset valuations, and corporate investment strategies.
National Wage Percentile Spectrum
Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).
Nationwide State Salary Rankings
State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.
| Rank | State | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | CoL Adjusted Real Wage | Total Employed | Top Metro in State | CoL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Connecticut CT | $114,187 | $54.90/hr | $92,235 | 4,800 | Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 123.8 |
| #2 | Alaska AK | $113,010 | $54.33/hr | $94,807 | 120 | Anchorage, AK | 119.2 |
| #3 | District of Columbia DC | $108,330 | $52.08/hr | $68,174 | 10,930 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 158.9 |
| #4 | Oregon OR | $107,221 | $51.55/hr | $87,314 | 3,100 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 122.8 |
| #5 | Massachusetts MA | $105,683 | $50.81/hr | $80,797 | 13,980 | Barnstable Town, MA | 130.8 |
| #6 | Colorado CO | $104,376 | $50.18/hr | $83,567 | 7,430 | Boulder, CO | 124.9 |
| #7 | California CA | $102,786 | $49.42/hr | $69,403 | 42,350 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 148.1 |
| #8 | Idaho ID | $101,863 | $48.97/hr | $90,304 | 530 | Idaho Falls, ID | 112.8 |
Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings
High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.
Career Ladder & Progression Stages
Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.
Bachelor's degree (most common O*NET requirement); entry into the field
Demonstrated results in role; works independently on core responsibilities; CFA or equivalent progress
Full professional competence; leads projects or a small team
Owns budget, hiring and outcomes for a department or large program
Executive or principal scope; sets strategy across the organization or profession
Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities
Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.
Financial Analyst: Career Ladder, Industry Hub & Regional Parity
Navigate parent industry benchmarks, lateral career progressions, and cross-pillar living cost calculators.
Finance Directory
Compare wage percentiles, required certifications, and senior salary caps across all Finance occupations.
Adjacent Career Paths
Living Cost & Tax Parity
Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions
Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, and career ladder progression for Financial Analyst. Official 2026 economic data for Financial Analyst compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
National compensation benchmarks for Financial Analyst range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.
Financial Analyst: Where the Pay Is Highest
The national median for Financial Analyst is $102,740 per year ($49.39/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 323 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $61,050 in Montgomery, AL to $158,310 in Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT.
Top-paying metropolitan areas for Financial Analyst
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs national |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $158,310 | +54.1% |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $144,910 | +41.0% |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $135,680 | +32.1% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $130,520 | +27.0% |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $128,930 | +25.5% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $124,790 | +21.5% |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $121,530 | +18.3% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $119,170 | +16.0% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $117,520 | +14.4% |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $117,280 | +14.2% |
| Anchorage, AK | $113,010 | +10.0% |
| Corvallis, OR | $112,150 | +9.2% |