What Financial and Investment Analysts do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Financial and Investment Analysts this way: "Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses."
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree.
Job outlook for Financial and Investment Analysts
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 377,200 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 404,300 in 2035, an increase of 27,100 jobs (+7.2%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 24,700 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 6.5% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $102,740, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Financial and Investment Analysts earn the most
Across the 14 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $91,171 in Pennsylvania to $126,157 in New York, a gap of $34,986 (1.38 times). 8 of those 14 states average above the BLS national median of $102,740 and 6 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 65,370, which is 18.5% of the 353,820 counted across them. New York follows with 58,690.
Highest-paying states
New York ($126,157), New Jersey ($123,058) and New Hampshire ($116,493) lead the ranking, while Pennsylvania ($91,171) and Delaware ($95,400) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Financial and Investment Analysts: pay against the cost of living
We compare 17 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Rockingham County, NH (Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH) at $62,004. The smallest margin is $36,667 in Los Angeles County, CA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 17 of the 17 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 15.7% and 38.4% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Financial and Investment Analysts
Financial Risk Specialists and Personal Financial Advisors belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (13-2000) include Financial Examiners, Accountants and Auditors, Loan Officers and Tax Preparers.
Frequently asked questions about Financial and Investment Analysts
How much do Financial and Investment Analysts earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $102,740. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $91,171 to $126,157.
Which state pays Financial and Investment Analysts the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $126,157. New Jersey is next at $123,058.
Is Financial and Investment Analysts a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 7.2% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 24,700 openings a year.
What education do Financial and Investment Analysts need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, according to BLS.
Where can Financial and Investment Analysts afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Rockingham County, NH leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $62,004 on a median wage of $117,520.