Financial analysts provide guidance to businesses and individuals making investment decisions. They assess the performance of stocks, bonds, and other types of investments.

Financial analysts work in offices. Most work full time, and many work more than 40 hours per week.

Financial analysts typically must have a bachelor’s degree, but a master’s degree is often required for advanced positions.

Employment of financial analysts is projected to grow 12 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. A growing range of financial products and the need for in-depth knowledge of geographic regions are expected to lead to strong employment growth.

This occupation supported 253,000 jobs in 2012 and 277,600 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 9.7%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 15.6% in 2022 to 292,400 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 260,800, compared with an observed value of 277,600, 6.4% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are much better than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 12.8% in 2024 to 310,000 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 300,200 jobs for 2024, 3.2% lower than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are better than the 2012 trend within this occupation.