Financial Analyst salary in Chicago, IL
Median pay, Chicago metro
$101,750/year
about $48.92 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $79,330 – $129,950
Half of financial analysts in the Chicago metro area earn more than $101,750 a year and half earn less. That's 1% lower than the national median of $102,740, and ranks #15 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $67,480 | $32.44 |
| 25th | $79,330 | $38.14 |
| Median (50th) | $101,750 | $48.92 |
| 75th | $129,950 | $62.48 |
| 90th (top earners) | $167,300 | $80.43 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a financial analyst job in the Chicago metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $79,330 ($38.14/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $79,330 to $129,950 ($38.14 to $62.48/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $129,950 ($62.48/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Bonuses can be a big part of pay in finance, so ask what a typical bonus has been, not just the target.
- Corporate FP&A roles and investment roles share this title but pay quite differently.
- A CFA charter or progress toward it can support a higher offer for investment roles.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Chicago metro. Occupation: Financial and Investment Analysts (SOC 13-2051). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.