Side-by-side compensation comparison across national and state-level data.
Financial Analysts out-earn Accountant / CPAs by $24,700 (22%) on median.
Percentiles for 2026. Higher percentile values reflect senior/specialized roles.
| Percentile | Accountant / CPA | Financial Analyst | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th | $66,400 | $83,600 | $17,200 |
| Median (50th) | $87,800 | $112,500 | $24,700 |
| 75th | $115,700 | $147,800 | $32,100 |
| 90th (top earners) | $150,000 | $190,700 | $40,700 |
Which job wins in each state (based on median annual salary).
| State | Accountant / CPA | Financial Analyst | Higher Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $112,400 | $146,200 | Financial Analyst |
| Texas | $94,900 | $121,500 | Financial Analyst |
| Florida | $89,600 | $114,700 | Financial Analyst |
| New York | $114,200 | $157,500 | Financial Analyst |
| Pennsylvania | $91,400 | $117,000 | Financial Analyst |
| Illinois | $95,700 | $122,600 | Financial Analyst |
| Ohio | $81,700 | $104,600 | Financial Analyst |
| Georgia | $90,500 | $115,900 | Financial Analyst |
| North Carolina | $87,000 | $111,400 | Financial Analyst |
| Michigan | $84,300 | $108,000 | Financial Analyst |
| New Jersey | $110,700 | $141,700 | Financial Analyst |
| Virginia | $99,300 | $127,100 | Financial Analyst |
| Washington | $114,200 | $146,200 | Financial Analyst |
| Arizona | $88,700 | $113,600 | Financial Analyst |
| Massachusetts | $114,200 | $137,200 | Financial Analyst |
CPA license drives 15-25% premium. Public accounting → Big 4 partner track lucrative.
Builds financial models, valuations, M&A analyses. Path to investment banking, PE, corp dev.
Nationally, Financial Analysts out-earn Accountant / CPAs by approximately $24,700 per year (22% difference). However, this varies by state, experience level, and specific employer.
Both fields have positive 2026 growth outlooks. Accountant / CPAs are projected at +3.5% YoY wage growth, while Financial Analysts are at +3.5%. Beyond wage growth, consider opportunity density (job openings) and your geographic flexibility.
Accountant / CPA typically requires: CPA license drives 15-25% premium. Public accounting → Big 4 partner track lucrative.. Financial Analyst typically requires: Builds financial models, valuations, M&A analyses. Path to investment banking, PE, corp dev.. Compare the formal requirements against your existing skills and education to assess the switching cost.
Salary is one input among many. Job satisfaction, skills transferability, geographic fit, and long-term ceiling matter as much as median pay. Use this as a benchmark, then dig into job descriptions and talk to people in both fields before deciding.