Financial Analysts
Overview
Introduction
Financial analysts, also called security analysts and investment analysts, analyze the financial situation of companies and recommend ways for these companies to manage, spend, and invest their money. The goal of financial analysts is to help their employer or clients make informed, lucrative financial decisions. They assemble and evaluate the company's financial data and assess investment opportunities. They look at the company's financial history, the direction that company wants to take in the future, the compan...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
The median annual earnings of financial analysts were $85,660 in May 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Top earners (the top 10 percent) made more than $167,420, and the lowest salaries (the lowest 10 percent) were less than $52,540. If the investments of financial analysts' employers or clients perform well, it is not uncommon for those fina...
Work Environment
Most financial analysts work in an office in a corporate setting. Frequently, they work alone (e.g., when conducting research or talking on the phone to clients). Some may work out of their homes. Much time is spent working on a computer, doing research and compiling data. Travel is frequently required—there are meetings and social functions to attend, clients to meet, and companies to research...
Outlook
The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) predicts that employment for financial analysts will grow as fast as the average for all careers through 2028. Thegrowth of international securities markets, the increasing complexity and variety of financial products, the need for in-depth knowledge of geographic regions in order to make informed investment decisions, t...
