Salary potential for Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) is wide and depends on experience, function, and location. Generally, entry-level jobs of CFA are paid between $60,000 to $90,000 annually and, often, as investment analysts, or financial advisors. Beyond this point, the more experience that is achieved, the more salary potential increases, with middle-career professionals earning from $100,000 to $150,000 or more, mostly in areas of portfolio management, equity research, or risk management. Senior CFAs in leadership roles or working with the top financial firms can bring home salaries much higher than others, up to $500,000 per year, including bonus and other rewards.
The value of the CFA designation is highly pronounced in finance and investment fields. It implies expertise, credibility, and adherence to high ethical standards, and therefore, it is highly valued by top employers. Salaries can be relatively high in major financial centers such as New York, London, or Hong Kong, especially in prestigious investment banks, hedge funds, or asset management firms.