Senior Financial Analyst

💰 $90K–$170K salary range

Median: $120K  ·  Based on 814 public job postings  ·  Updated August 9, 2026

What  does a Senior Financial Analyst do?    

A Senior Financial Analyst is responsible for analyzing financial data to  support decision-making and strategy development. This may include analyzing  trends, creating financial models, and preparing financial reports. They may  also be responsible for identifying areas of financial risk and developing  strategies to mitigate them.  

What is the typical background of a Senior Financial Analyst?    

A successful Senior Financial Analyst typically has a degree in finance,  accounting, or a related field. They may also have a professional  certification such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or a Chartered  Financial Analyst (CFA). Previous experience in financial analysis or a  related field is also typically required.    

What are some of the typical responsibilities of a Senior Financial  Analyst?    

Some of the typical responsibilities of a Senior Financial Analyst  include:    

• Analyzing financial data to support decision-making and strategy  development
• Creating financial models and forecasts
• Preparing financial reports and presentations for management
• Identifying areas of financial risk and developing strategies to mitigate  them
• Collaborating with other departments to provide financial guidance and  support
• Monitoring and analyzing financial performance metrics    

What are some of the skills a successful Senior Financial Analyst should  have?    

A successful Senior Financial Analyst should have strong analytical skills  and be able to work with large amounts of data. They should also have  excellent communication skills and be able to present complex financial  information in a clear and concise manner. Other skills that are important  for a Senior Financial Analyst include:    

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other financial analysis  tools
• Knowledge of financial software and systems
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously    

In summary, a Senior Financial Analyst plays a critical role in helping  organizations make informed financial decisions. They are responsible for  analyzing financial data, identifying areas of risk, and providing insights  to support decision-making. A successful Senior Financial Analyst should have  strong analytical and communication skills, as well as proficiency in  financial analysis tools and software.    

What is the difference between a Senior Financial Analyst and a Financial  Analyst?    

A Senior Financial Analyst is at a more advanced level within the Financial  Analyst career path. They often handle more complex and strategic financial  analysis tasks, like financial forecasts, while a Financial Analyst may  perform more routine tasks, like preparing financial reports, analyzing data,  and assisting with forecasting. Senior Financial Analysts also likely have  more decision-making authority, less oversight, and sometimes supervisor  responsibilities. They may also specialize in certain areas, like M&A,  F&A or risk management, while Financial Analysts may be more of  generalists.

📊 Salary breakdown

Senior Financial Analyst salary by location

• All locations: $120K median ($90K–$170K typical range)
• New York: $140K median, $98K–$185K range (+17% vs. national)
• San Francisco: $177K median, $122K–$247K range (+47% vs. national)
• Los Angeles: $121K median, $85K–$188K range (+1% vs. national)
• Boston: $103K median, $84K–$163K range (-15% vs. national)
• Chicago: $125K median, $81K–$147K range (+4% vs. national)
• Seattle: $101K median, $87K–$155K range (-16% vs. national)
• Denver: $100K median, $83K–$190K range (-17% vs. national)
• Austin: $98K median, $91K–$130K range (-19% vs. national)

Highest paying companies

San Francisco

• Anthropic: $266K median
• Prime Intellect: $250K median
• OpenAI: $247K median
• Brex: $136K median
• Notion: $133K median

New York

• Jane Street: $200K median
• Aon: $159K median
• Clay: $145K median
• Themischgroup: $120K median

Based on companies with 3+ active postings. Median of publicly advertised salary range.

What's typically included

• Health insurance: 65% of postings
• Equity (RSU/options): 55% of postings
• Flexible PTO: 50% of postings
• Parental leave: 24% of postings
• Learning/education budget: 18% of postings
• Visa sponsorship: 3% of postings

Typical experience required: 5–6 years.

Finance salaries by seniority

• Director of Finance: $90K
• Financial Analyst: $119K
• Senior Financial Analyst: $120K
• FP&A Manager: $133K
• Finance Manager: $135K
• Finance Lead: $180K
• VP Finance / CFO: $205K

What does a Senior Financial Analyst do?

Senior Financial Analysts are finance and accounting professionals who own planning, reporting, and controls. This benchmark reflects Mid-level base compensation at high-growth and AI-native companies.

Government wage data

For corroboration, U.S. Department of Labor certified wage filings (FY2026) show a median of $135K for Senior Financial Analyst roles, ranging $120K–$156K, across 818 filings. This is reported separately from — never blended with — the job-posting median above.

Common questions

What is the average Senior Financial Analyst salary at an AI startup?
The median pay is $120K, with a typical range of $90K–$170K, based on 814 public job postings collected in 2025–2026.

What is the Senior Financial Analyst salary in New York?
New York Senior Financial Analysts at AI-native startups earn a median of $140K, with a typical range of $98K–$185K (25th–75th percentile). That's 17% above the $120K US national median. 21% below San Francisco's $177K. Based on 109 qualifying postings, 2025–2026.

What is the Senior Financial Analyst salary in San Francisco?
San Francisco Senior Financial Analysts at AI-native startups earn a median of $177K, with a typical range of $122K–$247K (25th–75th percentile). That's 47% above the $120K US national median. Based on 87 qualifying postings, 2025–2026.

Where does this salary data come from?
It is aggregated from public job postings on company career pages — no private placement or client data. We require a minimum of 15 postings per role.

Methodology

Figures are the midpoint of each posting's advertised USD salary range, aggregated from 814 public job postings (2025–2026). The range shown is the 25th–75th percentile; the median is the 50th percentile. Equity is separate and not included; where a posting's range reflects on-target earnings (OTE) for commission roles, that is included in the midpoint. Roles require at least 15 postings to be published. Last refreshed August 9, 2026.

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