Financial Analyst

Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights. Avg Entry (P10) $--- Avg Median $--- Avg Senior (P90) $--- Coverage 288 U.S. cities Key Findings What the data reveals 2 Entry (P10): $66,627 to Senior (P90): $172,312 - a $105,685 career spread 3 Highest-paying city: Sunnyvale, California at $209,880 4 Top-paying state: California with $139,071 average across 61 cities 5 $127,710 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities 6 Coverage: 288 U.S. cities across 46 states — sourced from BLS OEWS data Overview Financial Analyst salary landscape in 2026 Not all Financial Analyst salaries are created equal. The national median salary for Financial Analysts in 2026 is $114,875, with entry-level positions averaging $66,627 and senior roles reaching $172,312. But those numbers flatten a reality with enormous geographic variation — Sunnyvale pays a median of $209,880, while other markets fall well below the national average. We tracked 288 cities to build the complete picture. A career as a Financial Analyst sits at the intersection of Business & Finance and Finance & Strategy. Most professionals enter with Bachelor's in finance, and the field is characterized by growing. The work itself is hybrid/remote. Understanding that context matters: it explains why certain markets pay premiums and others lag. $127,710 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities. A Financial Analyst in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $209,880 — $127,710 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($82,170). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent. For early-career professionals, the geographic pay premium is worth the math. Salary Breakdown Entry, median, and senior pay Breaking down the numbers: entry-level Financial Analysts average $66,627, the median sits at $114,875, and senior earners pull in $172,312. That $105,685 gap represents the full earning trajectory of this career. The median is $34,508 above the national median household income of $80,367 - meaning even a mid-career professional in this field outearns the typical American household. Compare the extremes: the highest-paying trio of cities (Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Irvine) averages $196,020, while the lowest-paying trio (Toledo, Detroit, Akron) averages $82,830. The $113,190 difference is the kind of number that reshapes career strategy - assuming the cost of living cooperates. Geographic Premium A Financial Analyst in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $209,880 — $127,710 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($82,170). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent. $105,685 gap between entry and senior pay The national average entry-level (P10) salary for Financial Analyst is $66,627, while senior-level (P90) earners average $172,312. That $105,685 trajectory represents the earning growth a career in this field can deliver. California leads states with $139,071 median California pays the highest average median salary for Financial Analysts at $139,071 across 61 tracked cities. The gap between #1 and #5 (New Jersey at $122,265) is $16,806. At the 90th percentile, Financial Analysts pull in an average of $172,312. In the top-paying markets, that figure climbs even higher - making this one of the more lucrative career trajectories in its field. Where Financial Analyst pay goes furthest The state salary map for Financial Analysts: California at $139,071, Massachusetts at $134,393, Hawaii at $133,650 lead the pack. The bottom tier - Mississippi ($83,160), Ohio ($86,955), Iowa ($87,120) — shows how regional economics reshape compensation. Across all 46 states with data, the state-level spread alone is $55,911. When you adjust the top-paying cities for cost of living, the ranking reshuffles. Sunnyvale ($209,880 nominal, 212 cost index) delivers $99,000 in purchasing power — maintaining its lead even after cost adjustment. This is the metric that matters for anyone considering a geo-based career move. Purchasing Power Cost-adjusted Financial Analyst salary rankings Raw salary divided by the local cost index - this shows where your paycheck buys the most. The $105,685 gap between P10 and P90 represents the earning trajectory of a Financial Analyst career. Senior-level earners make 2.6× what entry-level professionals do - an aggressive growth curve that rewards experience and specialization. In the Finance & Strategy sector, growing, which shapes both starting salaries and long-term ceiling. Frequently Asked Questions What is the average Financial Analyst salary in 2026? The weighted national median salary for Financial Analysts is $114,875 in 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics across 288 U.S. metro areas. Entry-level (10th percentile) averages $66,627, while experienced professionals at the 90th percentile average $172,312. Where do Financial Analysts get paid the most? The highest-paying city for Financial Analysts is Sunnyvale, California with a median salary of $209,880. The top 3 cities are Sunnyvale ($209,880), Santa Clara ($196,020), Irvine ($182,160). Note: high-paying cities often have higher costs of living - check the cost-adjusted rankings above for purchasing power. Where is the lowest Financial Analyst salary? The lowest median Financial Analyst salary in our data is in Toledo, Ohio at $82,170. However, lower-paying cities often have significantly lower costs of living, which can offset the pay gap. Always compare salary data alongside local cost of living. How much does an entry-level Financial Analyst make? Entry-level Financial Analysts (10th percentile) average $66,627 nationally. This varies by city — in the highest-paying markets, entry-level pay can be close to $121,730. Experience, certifications, and employer type all influence starting salary. How much can a senior Financial Analyst earn? At the 90th percentile (senior level), Financial Analysts average $172,312 nationally — $105,685 more than entry-level. In top-paying cities, senior Financial Analysts can earn up to $314,820. Which states pay Financial Analysts the most? The top-paying states for Financial Analysts are California ($139,071 median), Massachusetts ($134,393 median), Hawaii ($133,650 median). State averages are computed across all tracked cities in each state, weighted equally. What education do you need to become a Financial Analyst? The typical education path for a Financial Analyst involves Bachelor's in finance. The field is in the Finance & Strategy sector (Business & Finance), and the career outlook is growing. Work style is typically hybrid/remote. Is Financial Analyst a good career for 2026? With a national median of $114,875 and representation across 288 metro areas, Financial Analyst offers above-average earning potential compared to national household income. The $105,685 gap between entry and senior pay shows room for salary growth. Industry outlook: growing. Where does this salary data come from? All salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan areas. We present 10th percentile (entry-level), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks. Cost-of-living adjustments use our core database of 288 cities. Salary data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. We present the 10th percentile (entry-level), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks. Cost-of-living adjustments use Livably's core index derived from Zillow rent data, Census income surveys, and regional BLS price data. Take-home pay estimates apply simplified federal brackets, 7.65% FICA, and state income tax rates from the Tax Foundation. State and national averages are computed as simple means across all tracked cities with data for this occupation. Rankings are updated monthly as new BLS releases become available. #J-18808-Ljbffr