Ratings analysts: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more

Ratings analysts evaluate the ability of companies or governments to pay their debts, including bonds. On the basis of their evaluation, a management team rates the risk of a company or government not being able to repay its bonds.

Education Required
Most positions require a bachelors degree. A number of fields of study provide appropriate preparation, including accounting, economics, finance, statistics, and mathematics.
Job Outlook
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 11% (Faster than average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.)
Advancement
Financial analysts typically start by specializing in a specific investment field. As they gain experience, they can become portfolio managers and select the mix of investments for a companys portfolio. They can also become fund managers and manage large investment portfolios for individual investors. A masters degree in finance or business administration can improve an analysts chances of advancing to one of these positions.
Licenses/Certifications
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the main licensing organization for the securities industry. A license is generally required to sell financial products, which may apply to some financial analyst positions. Because most of the licenses require sponsorship by an employer, companies do not expect individuals to have these licenses before starting a job.
Median pay: How much do Financial Analysts make?
$81,760 Annual Salary
$39.31 per hour

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