Where AI can help
AI can assist report extraction, period comparisons and initial explanations.
Finance · A PICTURE OF THE OCCUPATION
Financial and Investment Analysts
Analyze financial information to evaluate companies, investments and capital decisions. Conclusions depend on assumptions and data quality.
Observed AI exposure57.2%Anthropic · March 2026 study
Employment projection+7.2%2025–2035
Education typically neededBachelor’s degreeBLS · 2025
What the work looks like
- 01
Advise clients on aspects of capitalization, such as amounts, sources, or timing.
- 02
Analyze financial or operational performance of companies facing financial difficulties to identify or recommend remedies.
- 03
Assess companies as investments for clients by examining company facilities.
- 04
Collaborate on projects with other professionals, such as lawyers, accountants, or public relations experts.
- 05
Collaborate with investment bankers to attract new corporate clients.
An example of an output
A model with documented assumptions, sensitivity analysis and a defensible conclusion.
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.Work environment
Financial institutions, consultancies and company finance teams. Some functions have specific registration requirements.
O*NET® 31.0 ↗Pay & demand
Mean annual pay$116,800
Median annual pay$102,740
Mean is the arithmetic average; median is the midpoint of the wage distribution. National occupational figures are not starting-salary promises.
10th percentile$63,720
90th percentile$180,860
Percentiles describe the workforce distribution, not junior and senior salary bands. Excludes self-employed workers; see the source for coverage.
BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗People employed in 2025377,200
Projected openings per year24,700
Includes replacement needs over 2025–2035. These are projections, not open job advertisements.
BLS · 2025–2035 ↗AI & your work
What still needs judgment
Incorrect data and weak assumptions can change the decision; checking sources is part of the work.
The task discussion is editorial interpretation. Only the exposure percentage is reproduced from the study; we do not assign percentages to individual tasks.
Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗You can also develop within this occupation
Use the exercise below to practice a real task, check AI outputs and identify where you need more depth. A career change is one option, not a requirement.
Analyze a company using public reports and show how changing one assumption affects the result.
What entry usually requires
- Education typically needed
- Bachelor’s degree
- Related experience typically needed
- None specified in BLS classification
- Typical on-the-job training
- None specified in BLS classification
Typical requirements in BLS data, not universal hiring rules. Verify the employer’s requirements and any applicable credential or license.
BLS · 2025 ↗Skills to build on
Quantitative analysisaccountingmodelingrisk communication
Tools you may encounter
Spreadsheets · financial statements · databases · scenario models
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.
Where you could go next
These are researched starting points, not personalized recommendations or promises of lower AI exposure. Check the destination’s requirements and your own circumstances.
EDITORIAL TRANSITION$113,790 Mean annual pay
Management Analysts ↗
Connects financial analysis with cost and process diagnosis.
- What you can carry over
- Modeling and data interpretation
- What you would need to learn
- Process research and change management
What to consider
Operational experience matters and may require a gradual transition.
EDITORIAL TRANSITION$89,490 Mean annual pay
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists ↗
Applies quantitative analysis to product and demand decisions.
- What you can carry over
- Quantitative analysis and reporting
- What you would need to learn
- Consumer research and sampling design
What to consider
The wage reference may be lower; compare the same market and do not equate starting pay with the mean.
Explore the work before committing
1
Try a practical task
Analyze a company using public reports and show how changing one assumption affects the result.
2
Read real job requirements
Use the official occupation title below to search current listings. Check duties, location, experience and compensation. External search results have not been verified as active by this directory.
Financial and Investment AnalystsSearch external job listings ↗3
Check your assumptions with someone doing the work
Ask which tasks take the most time, how AI changed the routine and what evidence of skill helped them enter. Compare their experience with the published data.
My Next Move ↗Sources & data notes
O*NET® 31.0 · 13-2051.00 ↗BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗BLS · 2025–2035 ↗Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗Source & definition ↗
Occupational descriptions adapt the O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. Is my job toast? translated, shortened and supplemented the material. USDOL/ETA has not approved or endorsed these changes. CC BY 4.0 ↗