Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Financial risk specialists focus on identifying, analyzing, and helping organizations manage financial risks. This career combines quantitative analysis with strategic thinking, drawing heavily on mathematics, technology, and critical and analytical thinking. Nationally, there are about 60,000 people employed in this field, with projected employment growth of 6.5%. Around 5,000 job openings are expected each year, reflecting both new positions and turnover. The national median annual salary is $106,000, placing this career among higher-earning professional paths. Typical entry into the field requires a bachelor’s degree, supported by skills in problem solving and decision making, writing and reading, project management, and adaptability. Strong speaking and listening skills, along with detail orientation and creativity and innovation, also play a role. Overall, financial risk specialists can expect a career that blends technical and analytical skills with communication and project coordination, with opportunities across multiple states and major metro areas.
Financial risk specialists earn a national median annual salary of $106,000, indicating strong earning potential. Pay can vary meaningfully by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, New York shows a median salary of $136,830, Massachusetts $130,400, and California $129,110, all above the national median. Colorado and Washington also offer six-figure median salaries at $120,300 and $123,150. At the metro level, salaries are even higher in some areas. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA has a median of $167,440, and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is close at $166,240. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro reports a median of $139,670, while Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH stands at $132,580 and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV at $126,510. These figures suggest that geographic choice can significantly influence compensation.
Financial risk specialists have a national employment base of about 60,000 workers, with projected employment growth of 6.5%. This growth rate applies consistently across the highlighted states and metro areas, indicating a steady outlook in multiple regions. With approximately 5,000 annual openings, the field offers a regular flow of opportunities that can support both new entrants and experienced professionals seeking role changes. The combination of existing employment size and projected growth suggests that this profession is established yet still expanding. The consistent 6.5% growth figure appearing in top states such as California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington, as well as in leading metro areas, points to a broadly similar growth expectation across these markets rather than sharp regional differences. For individuals interested in a quantitative, analytical career, this outlook indicates a field with ongoing hiring needs over the coming years.
Location plays a substantial role in opportunity for financial risk specialists. At the state level, California, Massachusetts, and New York all pair relatively high median salaries (around $129,110 to $136,830) with strong CareerGPS opportunity scores between roughly 65 and 67. New York stands out for employment volume with 12,060 positions, while California follows with 5,740. Massachusetts, Colorado, and Washington have smaller employment counts but still feature six-figure median salaries and solid opportunity scores ranging from the mid-50s to mid-60s. Metro areas show even more pronounced differences. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ have the highest opportunity scores, both above 77, with San Jose offering a median salary of $166,240 and New York $139,670. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA combines a high salary of $167,440 with an opportunity score of 68.75. Washington, DC and Boston metros also provide strong combinations of salary, employment, and opportunity scores, giving candidates multiple attractive urban markets to consider.
The typical education requirement for financial risk specialists is a bachelor’s degree. This foundational education supports the quantitative and analytical nature of the work, especially in mathematics and computers and information technology. Success in this field depends on a broad mix of cognitive and interpersonal skills. Critical and analytical thinking, problem solving and decision making, and detail orientation help specialists evaluate complex financial information. Writing and reading, along with speaking and listening, support clear communication of risk assessments and recommendations. Project management skills are also important for organizing and coordinating risk-related initiatives. Creativity and innovation, combined with adaptability, enable specialists to adjust to changing financial conditions and requirements. Together, this education level and skill set create a profile that blends technical proficiency, analysis, communication, and flexible thinking, providing a strong platform for building and advancing a career as a financial risk specialist.
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