What the numbers say
Charlotte's median wage for Financial and Investment Analysts was $104,360 in 2024, about 2% above the North Carolina median of $102,220 and roughly 3% above the national median of $101,220. The gap is real but narrow. Charlotte pays more than the state average, though not by as much as metros like New York or San Francisco do over their respective state figures.
The spread here is worth attention. The bottom 10% of analysts in the metro earned around $65,400. The top 10% earned $167,480. Top earners make about 2.6 times what entry-level peers make, which is a wide range for a single occupation title. That gap reflects how different the work actually is across experience levels and job types, from junior equity research roles to senior portfolio analysis in the large banks and asset managers that anchor Charlotte's financial sector.
The mean wage of $114,750 sits about $10,000 above the median. That tells us a smaller group of high earners pulls the average up. For most of the 5,790 analysts working in the metro, the median of $104,360 is the more useful reference point.
Charlotte is one of the larger US banking centers outside New York, which helps explain why the metro's analyst count reaches nearly 5,800. That employment base gives the local market a depth that smaller metros can't match, with openings spread across commercial banking, investment management, and corporate finance functions rather than concentrated in one or two firms.
Salary distribution
Where Charlotte financial and investment analysts fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $83,450 and $136,090, with a median of $106,510.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
Common tasks (O*NET)
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How the Charlotte metro compares to other major North Carolina metro areas for financial and investment analysts.
- Raleigh$99,200
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Financial and Investment Analysts in Charlotte, North Carolina?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Financial and Investment Analysts in the Charlotte metropolitan area is $106,510.
- Does Charlotte pay more than the North Carolina state average for Financial and Investment Analysts?
- The Charlotte metro median is +4.0% versus the North Carolina state median of $102,390.
- How does Charlotte compare to the national median for Financial and Investment Analysts?
- The Charlotte metro median is +2.3% versus the BLS national figure of $104,114.
- What is the salary range for Financial and Investment Analysts in Charlotte?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $65,540 and the 90th-percentile at $172,310 for the Charlotte metro area.
- What education is required for Financial and Investment Analysts?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the Charlotte CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.