Financial Specialists earn $84,680 median salary: 2025 pay and career guide
Financial Specialists — a broad category including financial analysts, personal financial advisors, and loan officers — earn a national median salary of $84,680, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The typical range runs from $50,440 (10th percentile) to $163,340 (90th percentile), meaning the top earners make more than three times the bottom. The mean annual wage is $101,120, or about $41 per hour. With 3,051,310 jobs nationwide, this is a massive occupation with real earning potential.
How much Financial Specialists earn
The median annual wage for Financial Specialists is $84,680, well above the national median for all occupations ($48,060). The mean wage hits $101,120, which works out to roughly $41 an hour.
Pay varies significantly by specialty and experience. Entry-level workers (10th percentile) earn around $50,440, while the most experienced (90th percentile) take home $163,340. That's a wide gap — typical for finance roles where bonuses and commissions matter.
Specialty matters: financial analysts (a common subtype) had a median of $99,890 in 2024, while personal financial advisors earned a median $99,580. Loan officers, another subset, made $69,990. These figures are from BLS data for those detailed occupations.
Pay by state
While BLS has state-level data for specific subsets (like financial analysts), for the broad "Financial Specialists" category, the highest-paying states typically include New York, California, and Massachusetts — but exact figures for the aggregate category are not available from BLS. Instead, check state data for detailed occupations like financial analysts, which show New York ($127,000 median) and D.C. ($130,000) leading. Lower-paying states tend to be in the Southeast and Midwest, such as Mississippi and Arkansas, where medians for equivalent roles fall around $65,000-$70,000.
Because BLS does not publish state breakdowns for this aggregate SOC code, use the specialty-specific numbers to gauge local pay. A financial analyst in New York earns about 50% more than one in Mississippi.
How to become Financial Specialist
Most Financial Specialist roles require at least a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field. Some employers prefer a master's degree (especially for higher-level analyst or advisory roles).
Licensing is common: for example, personal financial advisors often need Series 7, Series 66, or CFP certification; loan officers need a Mortgage Loan Originator license. Many roles also require on-the-job training.
- Earn a bachelor's degree in finance, economics, or accounting.
- Gain 1-3 years of experience through internships or entry-level jobs (e.g., financial analyst trainee).
- Obtain required licenses (Series 7, CFP, state-specific) depending on the role.
- Consider certifications like CFA or ChFC to advance.
Job outlook
BLS projects employment for Financial Specialists (aggregate category) to grow at a rate that is not available for 2024-2034. However, for major sub-occupations, growth is solid: financial analysts are projected to grow 9% (faster than average), personal financial advisors 17% (much faster), and loan officers 6% (as fast as average). Overall demand for financial expertise across industries supports steady hiring.
With 3 million jobs already, turnover and growth create tens of thousands of openings each year.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary for Financial Specialists?
The mean annual wage is $101,120, about $41 per hour. The median is $84,680.
What degree do I need to become a Financial Specialist?
A bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or economics is standard. Some roles require a master's, and many need licenses (e.g., Series 7, CFP).
What is the job outlook for Financial Specialists?
Growth varies by specialty. Financial analysts are projected to grow 9% (2024-2034), personal financial advisors 17%, and loan officers 6%.
What are the highest-paying states for Financial Specialists?
BLS aggregate state data isn't available for this broad category, but in specialties like financial analysis, New York ($127k median) and D.C. ($130k) pay best.
How many Financial Specialists are employed in the U.S.?
There are 3,051,310 Financial Specialists across the country.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Financial Specialists data.