What Financial Examiners do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Financial Examiners this way: "Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Investigate activities of institutions to enforce laws and regulations and to ensure legality of transactions and operations or financial solvency"; "Review and analyze new, proposed, or revised laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to interpret their meaning and determine their impact"; "Plan, supervise, and review work of assigned subordinates"; "Recommend actions to ensure compliance with laws and regulations, or to protect solvency of institutions"; "Examine the minutes of meetings of directors, stockholders, and committees to investigate the specific authority extended at various levels of management".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is long-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Financial Examiners
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 70,000 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 76,500 in 2035, an increase of 6,500 jobs (+9.3%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 4,500 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 6.4% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $94,160, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Financial Examiners earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $127,982 in New Jersey to $128,634 in New York, a gap of $652 (1.01 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $94,160 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 14,990, which is 50.5% of the 29,680 counted across them. New York follows with 14,690.
Highest-paying states
New York ($128,634) and New Jersey ($127,982) lead the ranking, while New Jersey ($127,982) and New York ($128,634) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Financial Examiners
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (13-2000) include Financial Risk Specialists, Personal Financial Advisors, Financial and Investment Analysts and Accountants and Auditors.
Frequently asked questions about Financial Examiners
What is the national median wage for Financial Examiners?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $94,160. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $127,982 to $128,634.
Which state pays Financial Examiners the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $128,634. New Jersey is next at $127,982.
What is the job outlook for Financial Examiners?
BLS projects employment to grow by 9.3% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 4,500 openings a year.
What education do Financial Examiners need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree and long-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.