Financial Analysts vs Loan Officers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Analysts professionals earn $27,170 more per year than Loan Officers professionals — that's 36.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Financial Analysts earns $180,550 compared to $145,780 for Loan Officers.
Salary Range Comparison
Financial Analysts$62,410 – $180,550
Loan Officers$38,490 – $145,780
$38,490$180,550
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Financial Analysts | Loan Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $62,410 | $38,490 | +$23,920 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,300 | $50,460 | +$27,840 |
| Median (50th) | $101,350 | $74,180 | +$27,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $132,050 | $101,920 | +$30,130 |
| 90th Percentile | $180,550 | $145,780 | +$34,770 |
| Mean (Average) | $116,490 | $86,020 | +$30,470 |
Employment Numbers
Financial Analysts
340,580
employed nationwide
Loan Officers
290,530
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Loan Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $102,540 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $94,850 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $94,840 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $94,110 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $91,900 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Financial Analysts or Loan Officers?
Financial Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $27,170 (36.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Loan Officers?
Loan Officers salaries range from $38,490 (10th percentile) to $145,780 (90th percentile), with a median of $74,180.
How many Financial Analysts and Loan Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 340,580 Financial Analysts positions and 290,530 Loan Officers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Loan Officers to Financial Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Financial Analysts has a median salary of $101,350 while Loan Officers earns $74,180. 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