How much does a risk analyst make?
a year · about $56 an hour
A typical risk analyst in the United States makes $117,330 a year, about $56 an hour, about 2.3× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They review company and market data, use statistical models to measure risk, and consider how market scenarios could affect a business. They explain their findings to clients or coworkers and discuss what the risk numbers mean.
Did you know? A bank stress test is not a prediction: the Fed uses made-up recession scenarios to check whether big banks could keep lending to families and businesses.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $64,820 and $196,110How do you become one?
In the U.S., a bachelor’s degree in finance or a related field is typical, and internships can provide useful experience. An optional FRM credential requires passing two exams and gaining two years of relevant work experience.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like keeping things organized and figuring things out
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, useful credentials such as FRM, and skill with complex risk models. It also varies by employer or industry, location, and the difficulty of the work.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Delaware ($139,440), lowest in Louisiana ($58,440).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $64,820 | $117,330 | $196,110 | about 64,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | $139,440 | about 1,000 |
| New York | $136,830 | about 12,000 |
| North Carolina | $132,040 | about 3,000 |
| Massachusetts | $130,400 | about 1,000 |
| New Jersey | $129,220 | about 3,000 |
Official definition: Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk. Excludes “Credit Analysts” (13-2041).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-analysts.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-2054.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes132054.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.garp.org/frm/program-exams
- www.federalreserve.gov/publications/2026-stress-test-scenarios.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY