Financial analysts
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
Financial Analysts: Conduct quantitative analyses of information affecting investment programs of public or private institutions.
Financial analysts and personal financial advisors held 355,000 jobs in 2004, of which financial analysts held 197,000. Many financial analysts work at the headquarters of large financial companies, several of which are based in New York City. More than 4 out of 10 financial analysts work for finance and insurance industries, including securities and commodity brokers, banks and credit institutions, and insurance carriers. Others worked throughout private industry and government.
Personal financial advisors held 158,000 jobs in 2004. Much like financial analysts, more than half work for finance and insurance industries, including securities and commodity brokers, banks, insurance carriers, and financial investment firms. However, 4 out of 10 personal financial advisors are self-employed, operating small investment advisory firms, usually in urban areas.
Median annual earnings of financial analysts were $61,910 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $47,410 and $82,730. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,580, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $113,490. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of financial analysts in 2004 were as follows:
| Other financial investment activities | $74,580 |
| Securities and commodity contracts intermediation and brokerage | 67,730 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 62,890 |
| Insurance carriers | 58,120 |
| Depository credit intermediation | 56,860 |
Median annual earnings of personal financial advisors were $62,700 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $41,860 and $108,280. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest number of personal financial advisors in 2004 were as follows:
| Other financial investment activities | $78,350 |
| Securities and commodity contracts intermediation and brokerage | 63,310 |
| Depository credit intermediation | 57,180 |
| Agencies, brokerages, and other insurance related activities | 56,950 |
Many financial analysts receive a bonus in addition to their salary, and the bonus can add substantially to their earnings. Usually, the bonus is based on how well their predictions compare to the actual performance of a benchmark investment. Personal financial advisors who work for financial services firms are generally paid a salary plus bonus. Advisors who work for financial investment or planning firms or who are self-employed either charge hourly fees for their services or charge one set fee for a comprehensive plan, based on its complexity. Advisors who manage a client’s assets may charge a percentage of those assets. Advisors generally receive commissions for financial products they sell, in addition to charging a fee.
(from the Occupational Outlook Handbook: Financial Analysts and Personal Financial Advisors)
See more recent statistics for employed workers below.
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
National Occupational Employment and Earnings by Industry (NAICS sector and 3-digit industry group)
| Financial analysts | |||||
| Percentile earnings distribution | |||||
| 10th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 90th | |
| Mining employment: 1,640 mean earnings: $75,480 (EC) (def) (IG) | $42,160 | $52,520 | $69,230 | $91,150 | $119,340 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction employment: 1,590 mean earnings: $75,470 | $42,050 | $52,450 | $69,140 | $91,190 | $119,660 |
| Support Activities for Mining employment: 30 mean earnings: $72,070 | $42,690 | $52,320 | $69,340 | $85,460 | $97,830 |
| Utilities employment: 1,480 mean earnings: $68,880 (EC) (def) (IG) | $42,740 | $54,000 | $67,410 | $83,180 | $99,000 |
| Utilities employment: 1,480 mean earnings: $68,880 | $42,740 | $54,000 | $67,410 | $83,180 | $99,000 |
| Construction employment: 530 mean earnings: $62,470 (EC) (def) (IG) | $31,420 | $39,140 | $61,050 | $77,860 | $91,110 |
| Construction of Buildings employment: 250 mean earnings: $54,680 | $30,320 | $33,300 | $50,460 | $76,290 | $87,920 |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction employment: 210 mean earnings: $70,970 | $39,040 | $51,910 | $63,820 | $77,580 | $109,400 |
| Specialty Trade Contractors employment: 70 mean earnings: $65,690 | $28,660 | $51,400 | $69,050 | $82,300 | $90,900 |
| Manufacturing employment: 15,810 mean earnings: $68,550 (EC) (def) (IG) | $42,950 | $52,440 | $65,880 | $82,690 | $99,300 |
| Food Manufacturing employment: 560 mean earnings: $67,660 | $40,120 | $51,740 | $66,210 | $82,840 | $95,430 |
| Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing employment: n.a. mean earnings: $61,060 | $38,800 | $45,700 | $58,010 | $72,790 | $89,870 |
| Apparel Manufacturing employment: 30 mean earnings: $51,340 | $36,070 | $38,750 | $43,270 | $62,090 | $78,010 |
| Paper Manufacturing employment: 110 mean earnings: $63,200 | $41,830 | $49,800 | $60,730 | $72,840 | $88,190 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities employment: 130 mean earnings: $63,750 | $42,560 | $51,620 | $62,150 | $72,820 | $88,740 |
| Chemical Manufacturing employment: 1,030 mean earnings: $69,570 | $41,170 | $51,390 | $66,540 | $85,790 | $104,250 |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing employment: 80 mean earnings: $59,910 | $38,790 | $47,880 | $57,680 | $73,010 | $85,530 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing employment: 50 mean earnings: $62,000 | $42,940 | $50,750 | $60,180 | $72,470 | $85,960 |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing employment: 160 mean earnings: $60,870 | $38,330 | $45,870 | $58,610 | $72,170 | $89,030 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing employment: 280 mean earnings: $64,760 | $40,940 | $47,550 | $55,310 | $68,210 | $88,200 |
| Machinery Manufacturing employment: 720 mean earnings: $66,330 | $42,440 | $51,260 | $63,670 | $79,120 | $93,140 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing employment: 7,580 mean earnings: $70,120 | $44,790 | $54,100 | $67,490 | $84,580 | $102,010 |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing employment: 440 mean earnings: $73,770 | $48,010 | $57,390 | $71,240 | $88,460 | $107,040 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing employment: 2,880 mean earnings: $67,790 | $42,760 | $52,320 | $65,600 | $81,640 | $97,240 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing employment: 110 mean earnings: $54,890 | $37,420 | $44,950 | $54,060 | $65,430 | $74,500 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing employment: 570 mean earnings: $63,930 | $39,300 | $48,650 | $62,370 | $78,310 | $92,470 |
| Wholesale Trade employment: 3,430 mean earnings: $68,930 (EC) (def) (IG) | $40,120 | $50,160 | $65,370 | $85,320 | $105,220 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods employment: 2,320 mean earnings: $70,580 | $40,800 | $51,750 | $67,740 | $87,710 | $107,190 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods employment: 670 mean earnings: $66,250 | $39,960 | $49,030 | $62,000 | $79,460 | $99,760 |
| Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers employment: 440 mean earnings: $64,340 | $38,810 | $44,650 | $57,770 | $79,450 | $94,330 |
| Retail Trade employment: 580 mean earnings: $62,530 (EC) (def) (IG) | $38,720 | $45,600 | $57,000 | $75,100 | $93,130 |
| Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers employment: 70 mean earnings: $63,530 | $38,140 | $43,970 | $55,180 | $79,110 | $104,830 |
| Electronics and Appliance Stores employment: 90 mean earnings: $63,920 | $40,510 | $49,790 | $60,910 | $78,210 | $92,350 |
| Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores employment: 50 mean earnings: $62,360 | $39,310 | $46,780 | $54,320 | $65,310 | $88,130 |
| General Merchandise Stores employment: 70 mean earnings: $66,630 | $38,980 | $47,860 | $64,810 | $83,140 | $101,580 |
| Miscellaneous Store Retailers employment: 50 mean earnings: $66,540 | $41,810 | $48,550 | $58,570 | $74,680 | $108,120 |
| Nonstore Retailers employment: 210 mean earnings: $58,370 | $37,670 | $43,570 | $54,780 | $70,500 | $86,840 |
| Transportation and Warehousing employment: 1,770 mean earnings: $62,080 (EC) (def) (IG) | $39,310 | $47,590 | $58,620 | $72,400 | $89,000 |
| Air Transportation employment: 610 mean earnings: $61,910 | $40,430 | $50,160 | $61,550 | $73,630 | $86,840 |
| Rail Transportation employment: 90 mean earnings: $65,490 | $46,350 | $51,880 | $61,460 | $76,430 | $93,490 |
| Truck Transportation employment: 430 mean earnings: $56,040 | $38,400 | $44,140 | $53,090 | $65,130 | $80,920 |
| Pipeline Transportation employment: 180 mean earnings: $67,770 | $41,580 | $50,340 | $65,100 | $83,380 | $101,610 |
| Support Activities for Transportation employment: 110 mean earnings: $82,840 | $42,530 | $49,690 | $58,090 | $84,090 | >$145K |
| Postal Service employment: 40 mean earnings: $87,820 | $63,470 | $74,470 | $85,590 | $100,670 | $111,980 |
| Couriers and Messengers employment: 170 mean earnings: $55,470 | $37,380 | $43,620 | $55,460 | $67,020 | $73,630 |
| Warehousing and Storage employment: 100 mean earnings: $52,330 | $26,430 | $39,710 | $49,490 | $64,160 | $82,380 |
| Information employment: 10,160 mean earnings: $66,830 (EC) (def) (IG) | $39,560 | $48,840 | $63,330 | $82,240 | $99,980 |
| Publishing Industries (except Internet) employment: 3,260 mean earnings: $69,130 | $38,630 | $48,460 | $63,820 | $86,190 | $108,200 |
| Broadcasting (except Internet) employment: 210 mean earnings: $64,590 | $42,610 | $48,910 | $58,080 | $74,550 | $93,080 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting employment: 150 mean earnings: $76,040 | $41,430 | $49,660 | $67,330 | $93,520 | $119,030 |
| Telecommunications employment: 4,330 mean earnings: $65,770 | $39,940 | $49,260 | $63,620 | $80,940 | $96,120 |
| Other Information Services employment: 40 mean earnings: $62,410 | $34,850 | $48,340 | $62,840 | $74,040 | $90,990 |
| Finance and Insurance employment: 83,230 mean earnings: $79,290 (EC) (def) (IG) | $37,760 | $48,150 | $65,690 | $94,590 | >$145K |
| Monetary Authorities - Central Bank employment: 770 mean earnings: $65,110 | $40,480 | $48,070 | $59,060 | $77,530 | $96,610 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities employment: 24,040 mean earnings: $67,050 | $35,490 | $43,760 | $57,550 | $81,070 | $111,040 |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities employment: 40,980 mean earnings: $92,160 | $40,660 | $53,520 | $76,260 | $117,010 | >$145K |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities employment: 13,840 mean earnings: $65,250 | $37,260 | $45,760 | $58,610 | $77,270 | $98,440 |
| Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles employment: 3,600 mean earnings: $71,410 | $33,570 | $43,670 | $55,210 | $84,780 | $138,280 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing employment: 3,290 mean earnings: $73,820 (EC) (def) (IG) | $39,050 | $49,300 | $65,420 | $92,770 | $114,450 |
| Real Estate employment: 3,040 mean earnings: $73,930 | $39,080 | $49,040 | $65,050 | $93,020 | $114,640 |
| Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works) employment: n.a. mean earnings: $70,620 | $30,300 | $40,290 | $59,580 | $89,580 | $137,660 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 22,030 mean earnings: $68,760 (EC) (def) (IG) | $38,680 | $48,560 | $62,710 | $82,650 | $106,590 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 22,030 mean earnings: $68,760 | $38,680 | $48,560 | $62,710 | $82,650 | $106,590 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 18,640 mean earnings: $69,660 (EC) (def) (IG) | $39,150 | $49,380 | $63,570 | $83,030 | $108,130 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 18,640 mean earnings: $69,660 | $39,150 | $49,380 | $63,570 | $83,030 | $108,130 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 4,510 mean earnings: $76,730 (EC) (def) (IG) | $38,170 | $48,010 | $63,680 | $88,750 | $144,470 |
| Administrative and Support Services employment: 4,340 mean earnings: $76,700 | $37,930 | $47,550 | $62,670 | $88,590 | >$145K |
| Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 170 mean earnings: $77,500 | $57,560 | $67,630 | $80,870 | $89,760 | $96,100 |
| Educational Services employment: 2,440 mean earnings: $58,280 (EC) (def) (IG) | $37,040 | $45,150 | $55,290 | $68,720 | $84,920 |
| Educational Services employment: 2,440 mean earnings: $58,280 | $37,040 | $45,150 | $55,290 | $68,720 | $84,920 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance employment: 4,090 mean earnings: $56,840 (EC) (def) (IG) | $36,710 | $44,490 | $54,380 | $67,290 | $81,500 |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services employment: 870 mean earnings: $60,420 | $38,580 | $48,450 | $58,010 | $71,080 | $85,740 |
| Hospitals employment: 2,940 mean earnings: $55,990 | $36,550 | $43,570 | $53,530 | $66,100 | $79,490 |
| Nursing and Residential Care Facilities employment: 90 mean earnings: $50,670 | $31,490 | $38,220 | $48,980 | $60,010 | $74,180 |
| Social Assistance employment: 190 mean earnings: $56,570 | $36,960 | $44,590 | $53,930 | $67,180 | $82,520 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation employment: 170 mean earnings: $56,920 (EC) (def) (IG) | $29,920 | $38,400 | $50,350 | $66,800 | $86,040 |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries employment: 50 mean earnings: $69,620 | $25,160 | $34,630 | $55,770 | $81,750 | >$145K |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries employment: 110 mean earnings: $50,730 | $32,440 | $38,880 | $48,180 | $60,180 | $71,890 |
| Accomodation and Food Service employment: 200 mean earnings: $55,220 (EC) (def) (IG) | $33,900 | $42,020 | $52,670 | $67,620 | $83,840 |
| Accommodation employment: 150 mean earnings: $54,300 | $32,310 | $40,090 | $51,270 | $68,080 | $84,950 |
| Food Services and Drinking Places employment: 50 mean earnings: $58,280 | $41,250 | $48,120 | $55,920 | $66,860 | $77,130 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) employment: 670 mean earnings: $64,310 (EC) (def) (IG) | $33,920 | $46,030 | $57,840 | $79,570 | $104,040 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations employment: 630 mean earnings: $64,280 | $33,770 | $45,710 | $57,470 | $79,740 | $104,680 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 6,230 mean earnings: $61,950 (def) (IG) | $36,570 | $45,110 | $58,350 | $74,980 | $91,790 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 6,230 mean earnings: $61,950 | $36,570 | $45,110 | $58,350 | $74,980 | $91,790 |
source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about these estimates
The (EC) links lead to data from the Economic Census from the Census Bureau.
The (def) links lead to 2002 NAICS industry definitions from the Census Bureau.
The (IG) links lead to Industry at a Glance industry profiles from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.