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2026 Salary Data — Chicago, IL
Updated April 28, 2026

Financial Analyst Salary in Chicago: $105K Median

Financial Analysts in Chicago, IL earn between $68K and $184K per year.

That's +5% above the US national median of $99,890 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Financial Analyst salary in Chicago, IL is $104,885 per year — +5% above the US national median of $99,890. Salaries range from $68,250 (entry, 25th percentile) to $183,750 (90th percentile). Financial Analysts in Chicago earned approximately $20,566 in 2025, representing 410.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$104,885
+410.0% YoY · $8,740/mo
Entry
$73,500
0–2 years
Experienced
$152,250
5+ years
Top 10%
$183,750
Senior/lead
Financial Analyst Salary — Chicago vs Nearby
Chicago
$105K
Atlanta
$105K
+0% vs Chicago
Philadelphia
$104K
+1% vs Chicago
Nashville
$100K
+5% vs Chicago

Free ATS scan · Chicago employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Financial Analysts in Chicago

Financial analysts evaluate investments, analyze financial data, build models, and provide recommendations to executives or clients.

Core Responsibilities

  • Build financial models
  • Analyze investment opportunities
  • Forecast revenue and expenses
  • Equity/debt research
  • Present to stakeholders

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree in finance/economics; CFA preferred

In-demand certifications

CFAFRMBloomberg Market ConceptsSeries 7/63

Chicago Job Market

Major Midwest financial and manufacturing hub with diverse industry base.

Population
2693K
Cost of Living
107
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.8%
Median Home
$360K

Top Industries in Chicago

FinanceManufacturingHealthcareTechLogistics

Top Employers Hiring Financial Analysts

Major employers active in Chicago or hiring remotely from this metro.

JPMorgan
Goldman Sachs
Morgan Stanley
Bank of America
BlackRock
Bridgewater
Citadel

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Financial Analyst listings.

Python for financeTableau/Power BISQLCFAAI/ML in finance

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

financial modelingvaluationDCFExcelBloombergCFAM&Aequity researchrisk analysis
Career Outlook
+9% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Financial analyst roles growing 9%. Strong demand at hedge funds, PE firms, and corporate finance.

Financial Analyst Salary Breakdown — Chicago

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$68,250$104,885$183,750
Monthly$5,688$8,740$15,313
Weekly$1,313$2,017$3,534
Hourly$33$50$88

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($99,890) adjusted for Chicago's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Financial Analyst Take-Home Pay in Chicago

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$76,892.79
Per month$6,408
Biweekly paycheck$2,957
Effective tax rate26.7%

Tax Breakdown on $104,885

Gross salary$104,885
Federal income tax−$14,776.7
Illinois state tax−$5,191.808
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,023.702
Take-home (net)$76,892.79

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Financial Analyst Salary by Experience — Chicago

Career-stage progression for Financial Analysts in Chicago.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$67,620
2–3 yr$73,500
4–6 yr$112,875
7–10 yr$152,250
11–15 yr$179,655
15+ yr$168,000

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Chicago's 1.05× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+410.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$20,566
2026 median:$104,885
Change:+$84,319

Finance sector growth driven by demand for Python for finance and Tableau/Power BI.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$98,023
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Financial Analyst Salary in Chicago

Walk-away anchor: $93,647 (offers below this are below market for Chicago).

Leverage Points

  • Bonus targets and historical payout percentages (ask for last 3 years actual)
  • Profit-share, carry, or AUM-linked compensation for senior roles
  • CFA, CPA, or Series licenses materially shift base compensation
  • Buyout of unvested deferred comp from your current employer

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Guaranteed first-year bonus (especially in IB, PE, hedge funds)Sign-on / make-whole for forfeited deferred compCarried interest or profit-share at PE/HF/VC firmsCFA / Series exam fees and study time off401(k) match and deferred comp plan

What To Say

"I'm walking away from $X in unvested deferred compensation if I leave now. Can we structure the offer with a sign-on that makes me whole, plus a guaranteed first-year bonus floor?"

Anchor on $152K–$184K for experienced roles, citing Chicago market data and your specific Python for finance/Tableau/Power BI expertise.

Financial Analyst Salary FAQ — Chicago

What is the average Financial Analyst salary in Chicago, IL?
The average Financial Analyst salary in Chicago is $104,885 per year as of April 2026 — $8,740/month, $2,017/week, or about $50/hour. Salaries range from $68,250 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $183,750 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Chicago's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×).
Is $104,885 a good Financial Analyst salary in Chicago?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Chicago's cost-of-living index is 107 (vs 100 nationally), giving $104,885 a real purchasing power of approximately $98,023 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $104,885 in Chicago?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Chicago specifically (median home price $360,000), a $104,885 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $104,885 enough for a single person in Chicago?
A single adult in Chicago typically needs ~$48,150 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $104,885 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $104,885 enough for a couple in Chicago?
A couple (one earner) in Chicago typically needs ~$77,040 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $104,885 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $104,885 each ($209,770 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $104,885 enough for a family of 4 in Chicago?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Chicago typically needs ~$117,700 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $104,885 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Chicago. Childcare costs in Chicago typically run $16K-$30K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Financial Analyst in Chicago?
On a $104,885 Financial Analyst salary in Chicago, IL, you take home approximately $76,892.79 per year ($6,408/month, $2,957 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $14,776.7, state $5,191.808, FICA $8,023.702. Effective tax rate: 26.7%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Financial Analysts in Chicago earn compared to the US average?
Financial Analysts in Chicago earn approximately 5% more than the US national median for this role ($99,890 nationally vs $104,885 in Chicago). However, Chicago's cost-of-living index of 107 means real purchasing power is approximately $98,023 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Financial Analyst earn in Chicago?
Entry-level Financial Analysts in Chicago typically start at around $73,500 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Financial Analysts earn $152,250 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $183,750+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Financial Analyst salaries in Chicago increase in 2026?
Yes — Financial Analyst salaries in Chicago grew approximately 410.0% year-over-year, from $20,566 in 2025 to $104,885 in 2026 (+$84,319). This reflects the broader Finance sector's compensation trend, driven by Python for finance and Tableau/Power BI demand.
What's the job outlook for Financial Analysts in Chicago?
Financial analyst roles growing 9%. Strong demand at hedge funds, PE firms, and corporate finance. Chicago's top industries include Finance, Manufacturing, Healthcare, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.8% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Financial Analysts in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Financial Analysts are: Python for finance, Tableau/Power BI, SQL, CFA, AI/ML in finance. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Chicago.
Who are the top employers hiring Financial Analysts in Chicago?
Top employers hiring Financial Analysts in or near Chicago include: JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, BlackRock, Bridgewater. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Financial Analyst salary in Chicago?
I'm walking away from $X in unvested deferred compensation if I leave now. Can we structure the offer with a sign-on that makes me whole, plus a guaranteed first-year bonus floor? Key leverage points for Finance negotiations: Bonus targets and historical payout percentages (ask for last 3 years actual); Profit-share, carry, or AUM-linked compensation for senior roles; CFA, CPA, or Series licenses materially shift base compensation. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Guaranteed first-year bonus (especially in IB, PE, hedge funds), Sign-on / make-whole for forfeited deferred comp, Carried interest or profit-share at PE/HF/VC firms, CFA / Series exam fees and study time off.
How can I increase my Financial Analyst salary in Chicago?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Python for finance, Tableau/Power BI, SQL) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., CFA or FRM). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Financial Analyst in Chicago?
Bachelor's degree in finance/economics; CFA preferred is the typical path. However, Chicago's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Finance roles.

Methodology & Sources

Financial Analyst salary figures for Chicago are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($99,890) by Chicago's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.05× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (410.0%) reflects the Finance sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

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Financial Analyst Salary in Other Cities

Houston, TX$105KPhiladelphia, PA$104KDallas, TX$105KFort Worth, TX$102KCharlotte, NC$102KSacramento, CA$108KAtlanta, GA$105KRaleigh, NC$105K

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