How much does a financial examiner make?
The median financial examiner in the United States earns $94,160 per year, about $45.27 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all financial examiners earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 13-2061.
Financial examiner salary range
Pay for financial examiners spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $56,230 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $174,200. The average (mean) wage of $106,240 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $56,230 | $27.04 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $70,660 | $33.97 | |
| Median (50th) | $94,160 | $45.27 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $129,600 | $62.31 | |
| 90th percentile | $174,200 | $83.75 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for financial examiners (SOC 13-2061), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Financial examiner salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Financial examiners earn the most in District of Columbia at $198,720 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $57,590. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $198,720 | 470 |
| New York | $128,920 | 13,480 |
| Connecticut | $120,530 | N/A |
| Washington | $113,700 | 420 |
| Massachusetts | $111,110 | 950 |
| New Jersey | $106,410 | 2,190 |
| California | $106,000 | 4,200 |
| Minnesota | $104,260 | 1,280 |
| Virginia | $104,060 | 1,280 |
| Maryland | $102,980 | 350 |
| North Carolina | $100,730 | 2,610 |
| Colorado | $99,610 | 1,910 |
| Oregon | $94,630 | 820 |
| Rhode Island | $94,130 | 320 |
| Illinois | $93,150 | 4,050 |
| Delaware | $92,390 | 430 |
| Utah | $92,000 | 960 |
| Alaska | $90,530 | 50 |
| South Dakota | $88,690 | 150 |
| Tennessee | $87,110 | 500 |
| South Carolina | $86,440 | 480 |
| Wisconsin | $86,320 | 580 |
| Mississippi | $85,430 | 420 |
| Idaho | $85,260 | 210 |
| Nevada | $84,650 | 180 |
| Louisiana | $84,310 | 240 |
| North Dakota | $82,640 | 220 |
| Indiana | $81,300 | 420 |
| Montana | $80,970 | 140 |
| Maine | $80,840 | 230 |
| New Hampshire | $80,810 | 130 |
| Oklahoma | $80,760 | 400 |
| Kansas | $80,420 | 470 |
| Iowa | $80,370 | 1,020 |
| Arizona | $80,260 | 1,910 |
| Missouri | $79,990 | 2,290 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,500 | 2,590 |
| Texas | $78,140 | 5,230 |
| Georgia | $77,710 | 1,450 |
| Kentucky | $76,260 | 640 |
| Florida | $76,230 | 4,190 |
| Vermont | $74,680 | 170 |
| Nebraska | $74,460 | 840 |
| Michigan | $71,050 | 710 |
| Ohio | $69,040 | 3,680 |
| New Mexico | $67,950 | 220 |
| Hawaii | $62,720 | 270 |
| West Virginia | $60,590 | 240 |
| Arkansas | $57,590 | 540 |
State median wages for financial examiners (SOC 13-2061), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for financial examiners
The BLS projects employment of financial examiners to grow 9.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 70,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 76,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,500 openings a year for financial examiners. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a financial examiner
The typical entry-level education for financial examiners is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a financial examiner earns
Firm size, industry, certifications, and years of experience drive the spread. Large firms and major financial centers pay well above small-town or entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $198,720) and the lowest (Arkansas, $57,590) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 67,830 people work as financial examiners in the United States. At $94,160 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Financial examiner salary FAQ
How much does a financial examiner make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a financial examiner is $45.27. The middle half of financial examiners earn between $33.97 and $62.31 per hour.
What is the highest financial examiner salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of financial examiners earn more than $174,200 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a financial examiner make a year?
The median annual salary for a financial examiner is $94,160. The average (mean) wage of $106,240 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a financial examiner a well paid job?
At $94,160 a year, a financial examiner earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 67,830 people work as financial examiners in the United States.
Which state pays financial examiners the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for financial examiners at $198,720 a year. New York ($128,920) and Connecticut ($120,530) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a financial examiner a good career?
Employment of financial examiners is projected to grow 9.3% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 4,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a financial examiner?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for financial examiners as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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