Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Financial Analysis - Career Income Analysis (September 2025)

Colleagues, implementing a well-defined, forward-thinking career development plan can boost your career and income growth over a 30-year life cycle. According to GlassDoor an entry level Financial Analyst earns $69,000 USD per year, however, the upside earnings potential - based upon location, level of experience and career training-certifications - is far greater. Making modest investments in your professional training and certification will reward you with greatly enhanced income potential.

Assumptions


  • Duration: 30-year career lifecycle (e.g. age 25-55)

  • Salary: $69,000/year - Glassdoor (will vary by location - we will use a US average for our analysis)

  • Education Level: This model is based upon the individual having a BS/BA degree. A MS/MA degree adds an extra 5%-10% to annual income

  • Training & Certification: 5%-10% income lift/year

  • Salary - Annual Increase per CPI Inflation: 2.5%/year

  • Base Case: Junior Level - age 25/1st certification

  • Intermediate Case: Senior Individual Contributor - age 30/2nd certification

  • Advanced Case: Mid-Upper Management - age 35/3rd certification

  • Expert Case: Technical Refresher - age 40-45/4th certification


Junior Level (5 years of experience)


  • Title(s): Financial Analyst, Junior Investment Analyst, Junior Credit Analyst, Financial Research Assistant 

  • Base income: $108,551k/year

  • Sample Certs: Foundations of Modern Finance (MITx), Financial Modeling Professional Certificate (NYIF), Introduction to Finance, Introduction to Finance and Accounting Specialization (Wharton), Foundations of Finance (Cambridge U.)


Intermediate (10 years of experience)


  • Title(s): Financial Analyst, Senior Financial Analyst, Valuation Analyst, Financial Data Analyst

  • Base income: $134,697/year

  • Sample Certs: Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst - FMVA (CFI), Financial Accounting Professional Certificate (NYIF), Financial Planning & Analysis Professional Certification - FPAP (CFI), Financial Markets (Yale U.)


Advanced (15 years of experience)


  • Title(s): Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Manager, Portfolio Manager, Senior Investment Analyst, Corporate Finance Manager, Investment Banker

  • Base income: $164,590/year

  • Sample Certs: Risk Management Professional Certificate (NYIF), Strategic Management Capstone (Wharton)


Expert (Executive-Refresher) (20 years of experience)


  • Title(s): Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Director of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Chief Investment Officer (CIO), Vice President of Finance

  • Base income: $268,767/year

  • Sample Certs: Advanced Risk Management Professional (NYIF), Advanced Fixed Income Professional,  Certificate (NYIF), The Emerging CFO: Strategic Financial Leadership Program (Stanford U.), Chief Financial Officer (Columbia U.)


Income Comparison


  • Base Case: Junior Level - $108,551k/year

  • Intermediate Case: Senior Individual Contributor - $134,697/year

  • Advanced Case: Mid-Upper Management - $164,590/year

  • Expert Case: Technical Refresher - $268,767/year


Note: For a more comprehensive roster of financial analysis certifications see Corporate Finance Institute, HBS Online, New York Institute of Finance, Wharton Online, edX, Coursera, and Udemy. 


Financial Analysis - Specializations, Master Classes and Certifications



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Much success in your Financial Analysis career journey, Lawrence E. Wilson - Financial Certification Academy (bookmark, share with colleagues & friends) 
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Financial Analysis - Career Income Analysis (September 2025)

Colleagues, implementing a well-defined, forward-thinking career development plan can boost your career and income growth over a 30-year lif...