Risk Analyst Salary in 2026
Risk analysts identify and assess financial risks facing organizations, developing mitigation strategies and stress-testing scenarios. They monitor market, credit, and operational risks.
Median Salary
$117,330
$9,778/mo
Entry Level
$77,800
starting pay
Senior Level
$163,500
experienced
Job Growth
+17%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Financial Risk Specialists (SOC 13-2054) at a national median of $117,330 per year (mean $124,420), or $56.41 per hour, with 63,850 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Risk Analyst Overview
Risk analysts identify and assess financial risks facing organizations, developing mitigation strategies and stress-testing scenarios. They monitor market, credit, and operational risks.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Finance
Total Jobs (US)
64K
5-Year Growth
+15%
Category
Finance
Hourly Rate
$56.41/hr
Monthly Pay
$9,778
Risk Analyst Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Risk Analyst salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Risk Analyst Salary
$134,000
$11,167/month · $5,154/biweekly · $64.42/hr
Risk Analyst Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Risk Analyst field.
Entry-level Risk Analysts earn around $77,800, while the top 10% earn $183,250 or more.
Top Paying States for Risk Analysts
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $138,000 | +$20,670 |
| New York | $135,000 | +$17,670 |
| Connecticut | $129,000 | +$11,670 |
| Illinois | $122,000 | +$4,670 |
| Texas | $115,000 | $-2,330 |
Top Paying Cities for Risk Analysts
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $147,000 | +$29,670 |
| New York | $138,000 | +$20,670 |
| Hartford | $124,000 | +$6,670 |
| Chicago | $123,000 | +$5,670 |
| Dallas | $117,000 | $-330 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Risk Analyst Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Risk Analyst from entry level to expert.
$77,800
0-2 years
$121,000
3-7 years
$163,500
8-14 years
$203,000
15+ years
Related Finance Jobs
Risk Analyst Salary FAQ
How much does a Risk Analyst make in 2026?
The median salary for a Risk Analyst in the United States is $117,330 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Financial Risk Specialists (SOC 13-2054); the mean is $124,420. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $77,800, senior professionals around $163,500, and top earners at $203,000 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Risk Analyst?
A Risk Analyst typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 2-4 years of experience. Key skills include Risk Modeling, VaR Analysis, Python. Relevant certifications such as FRM or PRM can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Risk Analysts?
The job market for Risk Analysts is projected to grow by 17% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 64K Risk Analyst positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 15%, reflecting strong demand for this role.
Which states pay Risk Analysts the most?
The highest-paying states for Risk Analysts include New York, California, Connecticut. In New York, the median salary is approximately $135,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Risk Analyst salary?
To increase your Risk Analyst salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Risk Modeling and VaR Analysis. Pursue certifications such as FRM. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 2-4 years of experience, you can progress from $77,800 to $163,500 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Risk Analyst Salary
How we calculate Risk Analyst salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Financial Risk Specialists (SOC 13-2054), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $117,330, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Financial Risk Specialists; BLS mean $124,420; BLS hourly median $56.41.
- Entry-level ($77,800) and senior-level ($163,500) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +17% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 63,850 Financial Risk Specialists jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 15% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Finance sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $117,330; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Risk Analyst compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Risk Analyst job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Finance
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Risk Analyst salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Risk Modeling, VaR Analysis, Python), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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