Life As a Financial Analyst
Job Description & Duties Conduct quantitative analyses of information affecting investment programs of public or private institutions.
Financial Analyst Responsibilities
- Identify potential financial investments that are environmentally sound, considering issues such as carbon emissions and biodiversity.
- Forecast or analyze financial costs associated with climate change or other environmental factors, such as clean water supply and demand.
- Present oral or written reports on general economic trends, individual corporations, and entire industries.
- Monitor fundamental economic, industrial, and corporate developments by analyzing information from financial publications and services, investment banking firms, government agencies, trade publications, company sources, or personal interviews.
- Evaluate financial viability and potential environmental benefits of cleantech innovations to secure capital investments from sources such as venture capital firms and government green fund grants.
- Interpret data on price, yield, stability, future investment-risk trends, economic influences, and other factors affecting investment programs.
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Financial Analyst Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Financial Analysts say are important on the job.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Related Job Titles
- Portfolio Analyst
- Bank Analyst
- Fiscal Analyst
- Investment Officer
- Money Manager
Job Opportunities for Financial Analysts
There were about 296,100 jobs for Financial Analyst in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 32,100 new jobs for Financial Analyst by 2026. There will be an estimated 29,000 positions for Financial Analyst per year.

The states with the most job growth for Financial Analyst are Utah, Arizona, and Tennessee. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Alaska, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Financial Analysts Make A Lot Of Money?
Financial Analysts make between $52,540 and $167,420 a year.

Financial Analysts who work in New York, California, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Financial Analysts in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $88,350 |
Alaska | $101,720 |
Arizona | $78,650 |
Arkansas | $78,050 |
California | $109,640 |
Colorado | $109,120 |
Connecticut | $105,950 |
Delaware | $93,740 |
District of Columbia | $102,510 |
Florida | $78,280 |
Georgia | $84,350 |
Hawaii | $78,800 |
Idaho | $75,280 |
Illinois | $88,760 |
Indiana | $78,290 |
Iowa | $83,230 |
Kansas | $77,130 |
Kentucky | $69,830 |
Louisiana | $75,630 |
Maine | $79,610 |
Maryland | $92,800 |
Massachusetts | $105,540 |
Michigan | $84,410 |
Minnesota | $93,160 |
Mississippi | $74,230 |
Missouri | $91,800 |
Montana | $99,630 |
Nebraska | $70,740 |
Nevada | $83,370 |
New Hampshire | $94,680 |
New Jersey | $106,100 |
New Mexico | $103,040 |
New York | $137,270 |
North Carolina | $89,020 |
North Dakota | $82,770 |
Ohio | $80,060 |
Oklahoma | $70,300 |
Oregon | $92,640 |
Pennsylvania | $93,870 |
Rhode Island | $80,650 |
South Carolina | $80,690 |
South Dakota | $73,870 |
Tennessee | $74,870 |
Texas | $94,980 |
Utah | $78,510 |
Vermont | $84,300 |
Virginia | $97,990 |
Washington | $87,590 |
West Virginia | $75,290 |
Wisconsin | $81,000 |
Wyoming | $139,660 |
What Tools do Financial Analysts Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Financial Analysts may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- SAP
- Data visualization software
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Visio
- Structured query language SQL
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- SAS
- Microsoft Dynamics
- IBM Notes
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Google Docs
- FileMaker Pro
How to Become a Financial Analyst
Learn what Financial Analyst education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Financial Analyst?

Where Financial Analysts Work

The table below shows the approximate number of Financial Analysts employed by various industries.

References:
Image Credit: Dave Dugdale via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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