How to become a Financial Analyst: education, training and the work itself.
The typical entry path BLS lists for the occupation, how much preparation O*NET says it takes, and what the work involves.
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
O*NET has not yet published education, experience or training survey data for this occupation; the entry path shown is BLS's typical one.
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for financial and investment analysts in the United States (Employment Projections, 2025–35). O*NET's survey estimates of required education for financial and investment analysts are too imprecise to name a most common level. O*NET places the job in Job Zone 4 of 5 (considerable preparation, preliminary). O*NET has not yet published education, experience or training survey data for this occupation.
Data Government data groups this job as Financial and Investment Analysts (O*NET-SOC 13-2051.00). Figures on this page are for that occupation.
Data O*NET has published only part of its profile for this occupation: tasks, tools and technology, related occupations and a preliminary Job Zone. Its skills, knowledge, work activities and education and training survey data are not yet published (O*NET: “Data collection is currently underway to populate other parts of the profile”), so this page shows no skills ratings and no survey shares.
What BLS lists for financial and investment analysts
According to BLS 2025–35 projections data, financial and investment analysts in the United States typically need no work experience in a related occupation to enter the occupation.
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35
Once hired, financial and investment analysts in the United States typically need no on-the-job training to become fully competent, according to BLS 2025–35 projections data.
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35
Steps to becoming a Financial Analyst
Data Steps 1 to 3 are BLS Employment Projections data; tools are O*NET; the last step is advice.
- EducationPlan for a bachelor's degree
BLS typical entry-level education, 2025–35 projections. O*NET's survey estimates for this job are too imprecise to name a most common level.
- TrainingExpect no on-the-job training
BLS's typical on-the-job training to become competent in the occupation.
- ExperienceRelated experience
BLS: no work experience in a related occupation is typical.
- ToolsLearn the tools
Apache Hive, IBM SPSS Statistics, Marketo Marketing Automation (examples O*NET reports for the occupation).
- CredentialsCheck licensing where you live
Many occupations need a state license or certification. Requirements vary by state, so confirm with your state's licensing board.
O*NET Job Zone 4 of 5 (preliminary): 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.
What financial analysts do
Data Tasks O*NET lists for the occupation, in O*NET's order. O*NET has not yet published importance ratings for them, so they are not ranked.
- 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.
Data Pay once you are in the job: the BLS median is $102,740; the lowest-paid quarter earn $79,290 or less. See the full Financial Analyst salary data.
How this page is built
Typical entry-level education, related work experience and on-the-job training are BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 categories for the occupation (BLS: Financial and investment analysts). The Job Zone (preliminary), task statements and tools come from O*NET 31.0, which has not yet published this occupation's education, experience or training survey data.
- Licensing rules in your state.
- Requirements at a specific employer.
- How long the path will take you personally.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, Occupational projections, 2025–35 (released Aug 27, 2026; occupation.xlsx, Tables 1.2 and 1.10; retrieved Oct 25, 2026). Definitions.
- O*NET 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. TryHired selected, ranked and combined the data; O*NET is not responsible for these pages.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates (public domain).
How TryHired builds this data: sources, methods and downloads. Spotted an error? Report a correction.