Accountants and Auditors vs Financial Analysts: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Analysts professionals earn $19,670 more per year than Accountants and Auditors professionals — that's 24.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $180,550 for Financial Analysts.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Financial Analysts$62,410 – $180,550
$52,780$180,550
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Financial Analysts | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $62,410 | $-9,630 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $78,300 | $-13,640 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $101,350 | $-19,670 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $132,050 | $-25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $180,550 | $-39,130 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $116,490 | $-22,970 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Financial Analysts
340,580
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Accountants and Auditors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $105,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,380 |
Best Cities for Financial Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $134,470 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $128,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $128,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $111,410 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $110,450 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Financial Analysts?
Financial Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $19,670 (24.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors salaries range from $52,780 (10th percentile) to $141,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,680.
What is the salary range for Financial Analysts?
Financial Analysts salaries range from $62,410 (10th percentile) to $180,550 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,350.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Financial Analysts jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 340,580 Financial Analysts positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Financial Analysts to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Financial Analysts earns $101,350. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS