Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Salary in USA
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Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Salary in USA

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Aishwarya
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
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Updated on Sep 30, 2024 16:46 IST

CFA Salary in USA depends on the work experience and job roles. The average salary of a Chartered Financial Analyst is USD 108,855 per year (INR 90.63 Lakhs Approx). This is just base pay and does not include other benefits of total compensation.

CFA Salary in USA

CFA or Chartered Financial Analyst is a charter given to candidates who clear all the 3 levels of the exam and meet the minimum work experience requirements. CFA charter is globally recognized and is highly respected in the financial industry. Investment banking, asset management, and portfolio analysis are just a few finance-related fields where CFAs are highly sought-after specialists. If you are planning to study in USA and take the CFA exam and also work as CFA in the USA look at the article which will cover the following:

CFA Salary in USA & Course Highlights

The table below provides an overview of the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) exam.

Head Details
Course CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
CFA Fees
  • USD 350 for one-time enrolment
  • USD 900 if early registration
  • USD 1,200 for standard registration
  • Total Fee Range: USD 3,050 to USD 3,950 (depending on when your register for the CFA exam)
CFA Duration At least 1.5 years
Exam Levels 3 Levels
CFA Average Salary in US USD 177,000 (total)
Popular Job Roles After CFA Portfolio Manager, Equity Research Analyst, Investment Banker, Risk Analyst, Wealth Manager, Financial Planner, Credit Analyst, etc.
CFA Highest Salary in USA USD 217,242 or above
Average CFA Salary in America USD 80,000

CFA Salary in US

CFAs are well-paid financial professionals, and as they advance in their jobs and accumulate more expertise, their income potential can rise dramatically. As per the official CFA website, bonuses make up a sizable portion of pay in the investment sector. Hence, the salary earned by a CFA includes his/her base salary, bonuses, and long-term incentives. Typically, a Portfolio Manager earns an annual base salary of USD 126,000 and his/her total compensation amounts to USD 177,000.

CFA Salary Level-wise in the USA

Check out the different levels of CFA salaries in USA for reference below:

CFA Level CFA Salary As per Level Wise (per annum)
Level 1 USD 43,218 to USD 78,374 
Level 2 USD 65,500 to USD 132,500
Level 3 USD 67,786 to USD 217,242

CFA Salary in US Based on Job Role

The table given below provides CFA salary in US based on different job roles:

Job Role CFA Salary in US
Associate – Sell Side USD 75,250 - USD 96,250
Analyst – Buy Side USD 75,750 - USD 98,500
Business Development Officer USD 100,750 - USD 165,500
Fund Manager USD 132,500 - USD 194,250
Private Banker with 1-3 Years of Experience USD 54,500 - USD 75,750
Credit Analyst with 1-3 Years of Experience USD 50,250 - USD 66,750
Financial Analyst USD 69,000
Portfolio Manager (Equities) USD 180,500

Note: The data given in the table has been sourced from a presentation given on the official CFA website. It is vital for the candidates to research the salaries in their respective field and geographical locations.

CFA Top Recruiters

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Some of the top recruiters for CFAs include:

  • JPMorgan Chase
  • Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
  • Royal Bank of Canada
  • BofA Securities
  • UBS Group
  • HSBC Holdings
  • Wells Fargo and Company
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers
  • BlackRock
  • TD Bank Financial Group
  • Bank of America Merrill Lynch
  • EY
  • PwC
  • Citibank

These businesses represent a range of financial services industries, such as investment banking, asset management, insurance, consultancy, and accounting. It is crucial to remember that the best recruiters for CFAs can change based on one's location and the state of the labour market.

CFA Syllabus for USA








The table given below provides the topics that are covered in the CFA exam. In addition to the topics, their percentage based on the exam level is also given:

CFA Topic CFA Level I CFA Level II CFA Level III
Ethical and Professional Standards 15-20% 10-15% 10-15%
Quantitative Methods 6-9% 5-10% 0
Economics 6-9% 5-10% 5-10%
Financial Statement Analysis 6-9% 10-15% 0
Corporate Issuers 8-12% 5-10% 0
Portfolio Management 8-12% 10-15% 35-40%
Equity Investments 11-14% 10-15% 10-15%
Fixed Income 11-14% 10-15% 15-20%
Derivatives 5-8% 5-10% 5-10%
Alternative Investments 7-10% 5-10% 5-10%

(Source: Official CFA Website)

How to Become CFA in USA

In order to prepare for CFA, students may follow the given tips:

  • Start early: It is essential that you start your CFA preparation early to ensure that you clear all three levels well in time.
  • Develop a comprehensive study plan that includes standard resources and mock tests.
  • CFA Books: CFA Institute Curriculum (lengthy) + Schweser (shorter) + Coaching Notes
  • CFA Practice: Schweser + Coaching Mocks







Students are advised to prepare well for their CFA exam to avoid retakes as the stakes are high when it is this exam. For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.

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CFA Salary in US FAQs

Q. What is the CFA salary in US per month?

A. Candidates, who have cleared all the levels of the CFA exam, can expect to earn anywhere from $59,000 to $194,250 per annum, based on their job role, field, and location. This translates to $4,917 to $16,187 per month. Depending on one's level of experience and the precise work role, CFA wages might vary widely. Furthermore, the precise pay statistics may change based on a person's geographic location and the current work market. Some of the top job roles for CFAs include data scientist, credit analyst, trader, auditor, portfolio manager, etc.

Q. Is CFA worth pursuing?

A. For those interested in a career in finance, particularly in investment banking, asset management, hedge funds, and private equity, earning the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) qualification may be worthwhile. Candidates for the CFA programme receive in-depth training in financial analysis, portfolio management, and investment decision-making, which can help them develop in their professions and stand out in a crowded employment market. It is crucial to remember that earning the CFA credential necessitates a sizable time and effort commitment. There are three tiers to the programme, and each one demands a significant amount of planning and research. Furthermore, the pass rates for each level might be quite low, a sign that the exams are difficult and demand a thorough knowledge of the subject matter.

Q. What is the syllabus of the CFA?

A. CFA consists of the following topics: Ethical and Professional Standards, Quantitative Methods, Economics, Financial Statement Analysis, Corporate Issuers, Equity Investments, Fixed Income, Derivatives, Alternative Investments, and Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning. It is important to plan the preparation wisely and prepare well since a CFA designation can open up a number of professional options and boost income prospects. According to a survey by the CFA Institute, CFA charter holders in similar roles make more money than non-charter holders at all levels of expertise. Additionally, the CFA designation is acknowledged throughout the world, which may present prospects for professions abroad.

Q. Can you give some CFA preparation tips?

A. The CFA Exam preparation process might be difficult, but with the right planning and preparation, it is manageable. To make the process simpler, consider the following CFA preparation advice:

  • Give yourself plenty of time to study for the test. Give yourself enough time to study for the CFA Exam since it is a marathon rather than a sprint.
  • Utilise resources from CFA Institute or other reputable suppliers, such as study guides and books, as they are specific to the exam's subject matter.
  • Instead of simply memorising the information, concentrate on comprehending the underlying ideas. This method will enable you to more effectively apply the information to difficult exam problems.
  • Success on the test depends on preparation. Utilise practice tests and study quizzes to help you spot knowledge gaps and pinpoint subject areas that need more time to be reviewed.
  • It is important to effectively schedule your study time. To keep track of your progress and make sure that your preparation is on schedule, think about using a study planner.

Q. What is the CFA salary in India?

A. According to the compensation survey of the CFA institute the following points were noted about the CFA salary in India:

  • CFA Level I candidates earn around Rs. 9.8 lakhs annually.
  • CFA Level II candidates earn around Rs. 13.5 lakhs annually.
  • CFA Level III candidates earn around Rs. 17.5 lakhs annually.
  • CFA Level III cleared (charter pending) candidates earn around Rs. 20.7 lakhs annually.
  • CFA charterholders earn around Rs. 44.4 lakh annually.

Q. What is CFA level 3's expected salary?

A. For those who qualify for CFA Level 3, the salary can be recorded on a higher note. CFA level 3's expected salary usually falls in the category of USD 67,786 to USD 217,242, thus, applicants who qualify this level of exam of CFA in America, can earn anywhere between this slab. 

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Aishwarya Bhatnagar
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Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio

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