Financial Risk Specialists
Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.
What it pays
Financial Risk Specialists earn a median of $56.41/hr — about $117,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $31.17/hr; the top 10% earn $94.29/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
Financial Risk Specialists earn a median of $56.41/hr — about $117,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $31.17/hr; the top 10% earn $94.29/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
What you'd actually do
- Analyze areas of potential risk to the assets, earning capacity, or success of organizations.
- Analyze new legislation to determine impact on risk exposure.
- Conduct statistical analyses to quantify risk, using statistical analysis software or econometric models.
- Confer with traders to identify and communicate risks associated with specific trading strategies or positions.
- Consult financial literature to ensure use of the latest models or statistical techniques.
- Contribute to development of risk management systems.
How you get there
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).
The feel of the work
The work is mostly indoors; time pressure is a real part of the job. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)
Working for yourself
About 4% of financial risk specialists are self-employed.
Who it tends to fit
This work tends to fit people who are organized and detail-focused, analytical and take-charge.
Work a simulated shift in this job — freeMake the real decisions this job involves, then see what your choices say about you.Related careers
- Personal Financial Advisors
- Financial and Investment Analysts
- Project Management Specialists
- Management Analysts
- Labor Relations Specialists
- Financial Examiners
Quick questions
- How much does a financial risk specialist make?
- The median pay is $56.41 per hour — roughly $117,500 a year, with the real range running from about $31.17/hr (10th percentile) to $94.29/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Do you need a degree to be a financial risk specialist?
- The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).
- What does a financial risk specialist actually do all day?
- Analyze areas of potential risk to the assets, earning capacity, or success of organizations. Analyze new legislation to determine impact on risk exposure. Conduct statistical analyses to quantify risk, using statistical analysis software or econometric models.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.