Financial Analysts vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Analysts professionals earn $66,770 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 193.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Financial Analysts earns $180,550 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Financial Analysts$62,410 – $180,550
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$180,550
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Financial Analysts | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $62,410 | $25,600 | +$36,810 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,300 | $29,140 | +$49,160 |
| Median (50th) | $101,350 | $34,580 | +$66,770 |
| 75th Percentile | $132,050 | $37,850 | +$94,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $180,550 | $47,930 | +$132,620 |
| Mean (Average) | $116,490 | $37,150 | +$79,340 |
Employment Numbers
Financial Analysts
340,580
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Financial Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $134,470 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $128,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $128,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $111,410 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $110,450 |
Best Cities for Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Financial Analysts or Retail Salespersons?
Financial Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $66,770 (193.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Financial Analysts?
Financial Analysts salaries range from $62,410 (10th percentile) to $180,550 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,350.
What is the salary range for Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Financial Analysts and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 340,580 Financial Analysts positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Financial Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Financial Analysts has a median salary of $101,350 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS