Financial Analysts
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Financial Analysts in the United States earn a median salary of $102,740 per year — about $49 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 429K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +6%.
AI & Automation Risk
Financial analysts perform work that is almost entirely digital, involving the processing of large datasets, trend analysis, and the generation of reports—all areas where AI excels. While high-level strategy and client relationships provide some insulation, the core tasks of data evaluation, risk assessment, and financial modeling are being rapidly automated or significantly enhanced by AI, leading to major restructuring of the occupation.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT Metropolitan Statistical AreaBEST VALUE | $158,310 | Above avg (107.0) | $147,938 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $135,680 | Below avg (95.6) | $141,929 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $119,170 | Below avg (90.8) | $131,255 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $144,910 | Above avg (113.1) | $128,172 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $105,850 | Below avg (89.2) | $118,715 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $128,930 | Above avg (112.6) | $114,457 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $121,530 | Above avg (106.5) | $114,126 |
| Decatur, AL | $101,560 | Below avg (89.2) | $113,854 |
| Florence, SC | $100,410 | Below avg (88.2) | $113,850 |
| Rochester, MN | $105,270 | Below avg (93.0) | $113,245 |
| Helena, MT | $103,350 | Below avg (92.1) | $112,208 |
| Billings, MT | $101,200 | Below avg (90.3) | $112,009 |
| Midland, TX | $106,460 | Below avg (95.4) | $111,613 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $130,520 | Above avg (117.6) | $111,033 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $124,790 | Above avg (112.7) | $110,697 |