Hiring Financial and Investment Analysts

What do financial and investment analysts do?

• Advise clients on aspects of capitalization, such as amounts, sources, or timing.
• Analyze financial or operational performance of companies facing financial difficulties to identify or recommend remedies.
• Assess companies as investments for clients by examining company facilities.
• Collaborate on projects with other professionals, such as lawyers, accountants, or public relations experts.
• Collaborate with investment bankers to attract new corporate clients.
• Conduct financial analyses related to investments in green construction or green retrofitting projects.

Core tasks, O*NET OnLine, 13-2051.00.

What does it take to become one?

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

O*NET Job Zone 4, SVP (7.0 to < 8.0). O*NET OnLine.

Employers commonly list experience with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Power BI, Microsoft PowerPoint, SAP software for this role.

What do financial and investment analysts get paid?

BLS OEWS, May 2025 publishes a wage for financial and investment analysts in 92 of the metro areas we publish data for. The median ranges from $68,310 to $144,910 a year depending on the metro, with a midpoint of $95,400. This is what employers pay, place of work, not a single national figure and not what any one person takes home.

BLS OEWS, BLS OEWS, May 2025, SOC 13-2051.

What does hiring one cost?

The same as any role: tier, not location or salary, sets the fee. Across all six tiers the published range is $6,240 to $54,340 per search. For scale, the highest median any metro we publish data for pays financial and investment analysts is $144,910 a year, place of work (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A contingency firm hiring at that level would bill roughly $28,982 to $43,473 on the first year salary alone, 20 to 30%.

Frequently asked

How fast can a financial and investment analyst search fill?

Typically 23 to 35 days, and typically 2 to 3x faster than a contingency search, per our recruiting partner's published figures. Both are typical rather than guaranteed.

What if the hire does not work out?

A 45-day replacement guarantee, at 50% off a repeat search for the same role.