As of early 2026, entry-level jobs for CFA Level 1 candidates in the US typically pay an average of around $46,918 to $60,000 annually, with salaries often ranging from $31,500 to over $90,000 depending on location, specific role, and experience. Common entry-level positions include junior analysts, where compensation can increase with experience and further exam progress.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $96,500 and as low as $19,500, the majority of Cfa Level 1 salaries currently range between $31,500 (25th percentile) to $52,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $74,000 annually across the United States.
CFA charterholders working for foundations or trusts earn roughly $100,000 per year; those in private practice with a company earn around $85,000. Charterholders working in colleges or universities earn around $75,000.
Completing CFA Level 1 can significantly enhance your finance career prospects even if you decide not to pursue Levels 2 and 3. The CFA Level 1 exam covers foundational financial concepts, ethics, and investment tools that are highly valued in the finance industry. Passing this exam demonstrates your commitment to prof.
The Charter Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1 Exam is recognised worldwide as a qualification specifically for finance and investment management. It is the entry point to the prestigious CFA charter. This charter is widely considered the golden benchmark in the finance industry worldwide.
Is CFA tougher than CA? A: The CFA and CA (Chartered Accountant) qualifications have different focuses and challenges. While both are demanding, many find CA to be more rigorous due to its extensive practical training and exams.
Will AI replace CFA professionals in finance jobs? No. While AI optimises efficiency, it does not replace intelligent decision-making, client engagement, or ethics oversight performed by CFAs.
Listing CFA Level One in the education section of the resume
Write "Chartered Financial Analyst." Include a hyphen and "Passed Level 1" next to it with the year you earned the qualification.
2,390 of the total 204,000 CFA Charterholders work at RBC, the highest number for any single employer worldwide.
Higher earning potential: Because a CFA is such a prestigious certification, jobs that require CFAs often offer impressive salaries. This means that CFA holders typically have a higher earning potential than CPAs.
A CFA Can Improve Your Salary
And on top of that, CFA candidates experience pay increases after passing each subsequent level, earning an average of 29% more after they pass Level I of the CFA exam and 34% more after passing the Level II exam. So, if you were wondering, “Is CFA Level 1 worth it?” It certainly is.
Here are jobs you might pursue after passing the CFA Level I exam:
If you aspire to be employed by JP Morgan, ICICI Bank, or an international consulting behemoth like EY, the CFA certification provides that competitive advantage.
Is the CFA Equivalent to a Master's Degree? Since both the CFA Program and an MSFA require an undergraduate degree in most cases and require about the same total amount of study, the CFA is generally considered to be equivalent to a master degree.
Yes. The CFA remains highly relevant, especially in investment-driven roles. It's still the gold standard for professionals in portfolio management, equity research, and institutional asset management,thanks to its global recognition and ethical focus.
Average Age of CFA Candidates
Although many candidates are in their late twenties or early thirties, the Program has a wide age range. Many begin at 35, 40, or even 50. Some of the most thoughtful, determined candidates are the ones who start later. Experience is not a burden.
The 10th and 90th percentiles were removed from the report because we have added scale scores. Scale scores add more precision to your results interpretation. The 10th and 90th percentiles only provide a comparison of your result against other candidates in the same administration.
CFA Level 1 is widely considered a very difficult exam due to its broad curriculum, demanding study commitment (often 300+ hours), challenging technical content, and typical ~40% pass rates, requiring strong discipline to learn and recall foundational finance concepts, though it's often seen as the most manageable of the three levels because it focuses on learning and describing rather than deep analysis. Success hinges on consistent study, mastering core topics like Ethics, FSA, and Investments, and effective exam technique, making it a significant hurdle for many.