How much does a financial risk specialist make?
The median financial risk specialist in the United States earns $117,330 per year, about $56.41 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all financial risk specialists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 13-2054.
Financial risk specialist salary range
Pay for financial risk specialists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $64,820 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $196,110. The average (mean) wage of $124,420 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 | $64,820 | $31.17 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $83,980 | $40.37 | |
| Median (50th) | $117,330 | $56.41 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $158,250 | $76.08 | |
| 90th percentile | $196,110 | $94.29 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for financial risk specialists (SOC 13-2054), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Financial risk specialist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Financial risk specialists earn the most in New Hampshire at $158,320 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $58,440. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $158,320 | 300 |
| Maine | $141,020 | N/A |
| Delaware | $139,440 | 1,160 |
| New York | $136,830 | 12,060 |
| North Carolina | $132,040 | 3,200 |
| Massachusetts | $130,400 | 1,440 |
| New Jersey | $129,220 | 2,760 |
| California | $129,110 | 5,740 |
| Virginia | $126,510 | 1,770 |
| Washington | $123,150 | 900 |
| Colorado | $120,300 | 1,050 |
| Wyoming | $119,550 | 170 |
| Maryland | $117,130 | 890 |
| Connecticut | $113,990 | 660 |
| Oregon | $109,580 | 430 |
| Iowa | $105,680 | 530 |
| Minnesota | $105,420 | 1,190 |
| Rhode Island | $104,470 | 450 |
| Illinois | $104,300 | 2,920 |
| Michigan | $103,940 | 1,150 |
| Texas | $103,760 | 4,780 |
| Pennsylvania | $103,040 | 2,370 |
| Arizona | $102,800 | 1,700 |
| Montana | $100,920 | 50 |
| Missouri | $100,620 | 1,070 |
| Georgia | $100,570 | 2,180 |
| Nevada | $100,010 | 570 |
| Florida | $99,900 | 3,770 |
| South Carolina | $99,520 | 560 |
| Indiana | $99,250 | 380 |
| District of Columbia | $99,230 | 210 |
| Ohio | $98,650 | 2,110 |
| Wisconsin | $97,820 | 610 |
| Mississippi | $96,100 | 230 |
| West Virginia | $94,350 | 50 |
| Nebraska | $94,280 | 250 |
| Tennessee | $90,950 | 540 |
| Hawaii | $89,860 | 90 |
| New Mexico | $87,260 | 180 |
| Alaska | $85,370 | 50 |
| Oklahoma | $85,140 | 330 |
| Kansas | $84,790 | 150 |
| Alabama | $81,750 | 180 |
| South Dakota | $78,960 | 130 |
| Utah | $77,770 | 630 |
| Idaho | $76,870 | 270 |
| Kentucky | $74,640 | 500 |
| North Dakota | $74,630 | 90 |
| Arkansas | $66,110 | 150 |
| Louisiana | $58,440 | 520 |
State median wages for financial risk specialists (SOC 13-2054), 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 risk specialists
The BLS projects employment of financial risk specialists to grow 7.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 66,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 70,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,800 openings a year for financial risk specialists. 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 risk specialist
The typical entry-level education for financial risk specialists is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a financial risk specialist 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 (New Hampshire, $158,320) and the lowest (Louisiana, $58,440) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 63,850 people work as financial risk specialists in the United States. At $117,330 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Financial risk specialist salary FAQ
How much does a financial risk specialist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a financial risk specialist is $56.41. The middle half of financial risk specialists earn between $40.37 and $76.08 per hour.
What is the highest financial risk specialist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of financial risk specialists earn more than $196,110 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a financial risk specialist make a year?
The median annual salary for a financial risk specialist is $117,330. The average (mean) wage of $124,420 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 risk specialist a well paid job?
At $117,330 a year, a financial risk specialist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 63,850 people work as financial risk specialists in the United States.
Which state pays financial risk specialists the most?
New Hampshire has the highest median salary for financial risk specialists at $158,320 a year. Maine ($141,020) and Delaware ($139,440) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a financial risk specialist a good career?
Employment of financial risk specialists is projected to grow 7.4% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 4,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a financial risk specialist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for financial risk specialists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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