Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for project finance analysts in the United States
Project finance analyst job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected project finance analyst job growth rate is 9% from 2018-2028.
About 31,900 new jobs for project finance analysts are projected over the next decade.
Project finance analyst salaries have increased 9% for project finance analysts in the last 5 years.
There are over 165,999 project finance analysts currently employed in the United States.
There are 106,230 active project finance analyst job openings in the US.
The average project finance analyst salary is $77,005.
Are project finance analyst jobs in demand?
Project finance analyst job and salary trends over time
Project finance analyst jobs over time
Project finance analyst job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 165,999 | 0.05% |
| 2020 | 133,388 | 0.04% |
| 2019 | 260,069 | 0.08% |
| 2018 | 173,561 | 0.05% |
| 2017 | 166,854 | 0.05% |
Average project finance analyst salary over time
Project finance analyst salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $77,005 | $37.02 | +2.6% |
| 2025 | $75,034 | $36.07 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | $73,803 | $35.48 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $72,631 | $34.92 | +3.1% |
| 2022 | $70,443 | $33.87 | +1.8% |
Project finance analyst jobs by state
Most common states for project finance analysts
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 469 | 68% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,988 | 36% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 273 | 36% |
| 4 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 197 | 34% |
| 5 | Vermont | 623,657 | 206 | 33% |
| 6 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 385 | 29% |
| 7 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,550 | 27% |
| 8 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 518 | 27% |
| 9 | Delaware | 961,939 | 257 | 27% |
| 10 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 421 | 25% |
| 11 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,461 | 24% |
| 12 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 749 | 24% |
| 13 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,586 | 23% |
| 14 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 198 | 23% |
| 15 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,889 | 22% |
| 16 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 293 | 22% |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,692 | 21% |
| 18 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,398 | 21% |
| 19 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,257 | 21% |
| 20 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 2,022 | 20% |
Most common cities for project finance analysts
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rockville | 4 | 6% | $76,829 |
| 2 | Cambridge | 3 | 3% | $77,432 |
| 3 | Peachtree City | 1 | 3% | $65,989 |
| 4 | Rosemead | 1 | 2% | $82,853 |
| 5 | Sierra Vista | 1 | 2% | $87,358 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 5 | 1% | $66,437 |
| 7 | Alexandria | 2 | 1% | $76,810 |
| 8 | Arlington | 2 | 1% | $76,839 |
| 9 | Overland Park | 2 | 1% | $61,781 |
| 10 | Grand Rapids | 1 | 1% | $89,651 |
| 11 | Huntsville | 1 | 1% | $67,049 |
| 12 | Tempe | 1 | 1% | $88,726 |
| 13 | Los Angeles | 3 | 0% | $82,938 |
| 14 | New York | 3 | 0% | $80,867 |
| 15 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $77,106 |
| 16 | Chicago | 2 | 0% | $71,840 |
| 17 | Washington | 2 | 0% | $82,046 |
| 18 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $77,457 |
| 19 | Irvine | 1 | 0% | $82,286 |
| 20 | Miami | 1 | 0% | $67,209 |
Project Finance Analyst job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of project finance analyst experts
UMass Lowell
University of Cincinnati Clermont College
University of Southern Maine
Western Kentucky University
University of California, Santa Cruz
Ottawa University at Overland Park
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Manhattan College
Coastal Carolina University
Drexel University
New Jersey Institute of Technology
University of New Mexico
University of Wyoming
Fairfield University
Siena College
Wake Forest University
Lynn University
Davidson College
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Program Coordinator, Masters of Science in EntrepreneurshipUMass Lowell
Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship & Innovation
What Project Finance Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.: Obviously we are seeing a tremendous increase in AI and other digital technologies. These will become a more crucial skill set for many careers going forward. But I wouldn't downplay the role of what are traditionally seen as soft skills like empathy, communications, and judgment. Not only can these distinguish you from robots but from your human competitors as well.
What will help Project Finance Analysts increase their earning potential?
Michael Ciuchta Ph.D.: If all you want is the highest potential starting salary, then you should aim for careers that offer them. But that is a shortsighted way to view things. For example, many careers that have tournament-like pay structures (think entertainment) often have very low starting salaries but the so-called winners enjoy outsized financial gains. If you are thinking about a more traditional career, I think it's important to make sure you are more valuable to your employer than they are to you. This means you have to market yourself, both to your current employer as well as to potential ones. Of course, this approach may not be for everyone and maximizing your salary potential is only one thing you should be considering when assessing job and career opportunities.
What Project Finance Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Marilyn Krogh: Know yourself—take time to identify and name your own strengths, interests and priorities in your work life. Take advantage of the services from your university career development center.
Keith Kerr Prof.
What general advice would you give to a Project Finance Analyst?
Keith Kerr Prof.: There are two approaches to maximizing your salary potential, but only one approach that is completely under our control. While we can learn the best ways to approach employers to advocate for raises and promotions, the outcome of this is dependent on many external factors. What you can control, however, is how you manage the money that you do make. Taking the time to make a detailed budget of your income, expenses and debts allows one to find ways to control their spending, thus generating extra cash for saving and investing each month.
What Project Finance Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Keith Kerr Prof.: There are two basic ways that most people in the US find financial success: Either find a job that pays a high salary, or find a career that you love, regardless of the salary, and make a habit of saving and investing part of your income each month starting with your first paycheck.
If you invest only $90 a month starting at 21 and ending at retirement, you would have a bit over 1 million dollars (assuming a 10% annual gain). Wait just 5 years and start doing this at 26 and your 5 years of time will have cost you $400,000 by retirement. This is the power of compounding. Start early and even with a lower salary, you still can find financial success while pursuing careers that are meaningful to you.
What will help Project Finance Analysts increase their earning potential?
Keith Kerr Prof.: Grant writing is perhaps the most important skill for sociology majors to acquire. Not all sociology programs offer such skills (luckily my department at Quinnipiac does), but all sociology programs offer courses in research methodology. These skills are all skills that are needed to successfully write grants.
More so, with the research skills and practice in grant writing, one is in a position to approach potential employers as a hire that will more than pay for itself in the grant money that the potential employee can bring into the organization.
Fawen Zhang PhD
Professor of AudiologyUniversity of Cincinnati Clermont College
Communication Disorders Sciences And Services
What Project Finance Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Fawen Zhang PhD: This is perfect! Thank you so much. We will be sure to feature your response in the article and send a draft over for your review before we promote it.
Tove Rasmussen
LecturerUniversity of Southern Maine
Specialized Sales, Merchandising And Marketing Operations
What general advice would you give to a Project Finance Analyst?
Tove Rasmussen: Tove Rasmussen advises graduates beginning their career in the field to...
What general advice would you give to a Project Finance Analyst?
Timothy Rich PhD: Social science research skills, including research design and quantitative analysis, have broad applications (e.g. local government, think tanks, campaigns, non-profits, business) and students need to be comfortable with data. Writing skills aren't being replaced by ChatGPT, and students need to learn how to write for different audiences and not just for the typical final paper. That means being able to explain complex events or data and synthesize information to someone who has little knowledge about the topic. Students tend to distrust group projects, but learning to work in groups is also a transferable skill and an important one even if working remotely.
What Project Finance Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Timothy Rich PhD: Think about the types of jobs that interest you and the skills necessary for those jobs early. So many students start thinking about post-graduation life spring their senior year, when it should be an incremental process much earlier. Another pieces of advice would be to talk to faculty and alum about your interests, find internship or research opportunities when possible, and try to figure out early your strengths and weaknesses. It's easy for students, especially high performing ones, to not fully consider what their weaknesses are. I encourage students to jot down what they see as their skills too and to share them with others. It helps them to identify what's a common skill versus something that might make them stick out.
What will help Project Finance Analysts increase their earning potential?
Stephanie Lain Ph.D.: The most important skills in my view are flexibility in thinking- the ability to apply knowledge to new situations- and the so-called "soft skills", being able to work with people face-to-face. This is a skill that has somewhat been lost with the advent of Zoom and rise of AI technologies but it is very important in building human connection.
What general advice would you give to a Project Finance Analyst?
Russ McCullough PhD: Business Economics is a degree that can open many doors for careers. You can feel confident applying to positions that are open to many business degrees because economics gives you a quantitative edge over many other degrees. Therefore, I recommend that you create a vision of the type of job you see yourself at in 10 years and apply to positions now that help you build the skill set to get there. For example, if you are a good communicator, look for some more sales oriented positions. If you are more of a number cruncher, then look for more analyst oriented positions. Smaller companies will likely have more cross-training experiences available while large corporations will likely focus your skills in on a particular area.
What general advice would you give to a Project Finance Analyst?
Dr. Paige Novak P.E. (Minnesota), BCEE: Ask questions, stay curious and open minded, take opportunities to learn and develop new skills.
What will help Project Finance Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Paige Novak P.E. (Minnesota), BCEE: Get experience on a lot of different projects, say 'yes' to learning and development opportunities, and take the PE when you are able.
What general advice would you give to a Project Finance Analyst?
Dr. Natalia Boliari PhD: First, learn everything about the company you just started working for - its historical path, management, the way it's dealt with crises, etc. Second, learn everything about the specific industry the company belongs to and see how the company has developed relative to the development of the industry domestically and internationally. Third, always be extremely alert to notice new opportunities and be prepared to take calculated risks. That is, actively look for opportunities to complete as many and diverse tasks as possible, and volunteer to complete any type of work regardless of whether it seems relevant to your assigned job or not. Opportunities to learn, grow, and improve and thus to maximize your income, will only come up if you are exposed to diverse situations.
What Project Finance Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Natalia Boliari PhD: Be open minded. Finance is the broad definition of an industry which provides opportunities for careers in financial consultancy, financial analysis, stock brokerage, foreign investment, modeling, exchange rate forecasts, and many more. While most of those careers are attributed to the banking industry, you can find those and others in other sectors of the economy, such as insurance, technology, health care/medical, government, and so on. So, be open and look beyond the banking sector, examine the current and predicted trends in the economy to hunt for exciting career options.
What will help Project Finance Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Natalia Boliari PhD: Skills in research, programming, and modeling. Research skills are difficult to develop and many students don't have the patience or even the desire to acquire them. But they are critical for careers in finance and remain a top set of skills for employers. Programming and modeling helps with decision making by reducing (potentially) the degree of economic and market uncertainties as well as with forecasts. So definitely invest time in learning and continuously developing research and programming skills in the career niche you are pursuing.
Mark Chandler
Director of Government Relations and Professor of PracticeCoastal Carolina University
Intelligence, Command Control And Information Operations
What Project Finance Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mark Chandler: First, focus on being good at your job. Focus on learning your specific assigned area. Get the basics down – analytic skills, communication skills. Build a strong work ethic and professional foundation. If you can find a good mentor, link up with them. Be willing to go the “extra mile” in being a team player and doing things to help others on the team, and put in the hours. In intelligence, you will not always like what policy makers do or say. It’s not our job to agree or disagree with the policy, our job is to study the situation, present the facts and then present a fact-based analytic assessment. Keep opinion, bias, and politics out of our work. This will be a challenge, but it’s one you have to recognize in order to not succumb to it.
What Project Finance Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mark Stehr PhD: At the start of your career, it's very important to land a role where you learn a lot and find good mentors. The additional skills will pay dividends as your career progresses.
What will help Project Finance Analysts increase their earning potential?
Mark Stehr PhD: The ability to use AI to augment your productivity. We're all still working out what this will look like, but it's certain to be important.
What Project Finance Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Michael Smullen: Putting this in context, higher education is about to experience a massive change called the 'enrollment cliff' during which we anticipate a significant drop off in new student enrollment. Within the next five years, it's likely that the employment marketplace will look quite different: - Greater focus on certifications and 'mini-degree' programs to obtain new positions or to advance; - Dramatic increase in the use of artificial intelligence, similar to how email, web, Slack, and most recently Zoom/Teams supplanted former methods of communication; - Increased awareness of prioritizing mental and physical health in the workplace; - Continuous skill improvement: Certifications and 'mini-degree' will be supported by a constant flow of information updates; - Greater need for professional independence: New graduates would be wise to consider how they maintain and own their personal intellectual property to carry it through multiple employers.
Dr. Maggie Siebert Ph.D.
Epidemiologist, NMDOHUniversity of New Mexico
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
What will help Project Finance Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Maggie Siebert Ph.D.: Programming languages for reporting, querying, and optimizing/automating
What Project Finance Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lars Kotthoff: Anything and everything related to AI, but in particular being able to cut through the hype and being able to assess new technologies realistically.
What general advice would you give to a Project Finance Analyst?
John McDermott Ph.D.: To maximize your salary potential, keep learning, investing in your human capital, and expanding your capabilities. Learn as much as you can about your new position and industry, work with a variety of people at your firm, and seek opportunities outside your comfort zone. Your salary potential will increase as you are recognized as a capable and hard working colleague.
What Project Finance Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
John McDermott Ph.D.: Be enthusiastic, work hard, and treat every assignment as a chance to learn and showcase your abilities. Seek out new and exciting opportunities, this will provide you the opportunity to expand your skill set and above all to help your company move forward.
What will help Project Finance Analysts increase their earning potential?
John McDermott Ph.D.: I believe communication, technical, and interpersonal skills will always be important to young graduates in finance. Over the next few years, being able to harness the power of new technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Large-Language Models will become increasingly important.
Feng Dong
Assistant Professor of Finance, Douglas Hickey Chair in Business, Siena CollegeSiena College
Finance And Financial Management Services
What general advice would you give to a Project Finance Analyst?
Feng Dong: First of all, it’s challenging to be a finance analyst now. The increasing complexity of the financial markets has raised a high demand for finance analysts, and the integration of advanced data analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning in finance creates new opportunities for finance analysts who are proficient with these technologies. However, this requires much more effort than before to gain those skills, especially since much of the knowledge is not fully included in the current finance major curriculums. Second, finance analysts have various career options in many different areas in the future, such as investment analysis, risk management, corporate finance, or financial planning, and there are clear career progression paths from entry-level roles to senior positions, such as finance manager, director of finance, and CFO.
What Project Finance Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Feng Dong: As an entry level job, a junior finance analyst’s work primarily involves supporting senior analysts and managers through various tasks. This includes gathering and organizing financial data from multiple sources, conducting preliminary analyses based on the financial tools and software, and preparing the reports and presenting them to the senior analysts. Meanwhile, the job also requires some administrative tasks such as organizing financial documents and routine works such as maintaining some basic financial models. The main purpose of this position is to help the junior analysts develop their knowledge and skills within some specific industries/areas, get familiar with the financial regulations and market trends, and generate enough practical experiences.
What will help Project Finance Analysts increase their earning potential?
Feng Dong: Finance analysts often appreciate the clear career growth and opportunities in the field. There are well-defined paths for advancing to senior roles like Finance Manager, Director of Finance, or CFO. You can work in different industries and specialize in specific areas, which opens up a wide range of career options. You get to shape your career based on your interests and strengths. Plus, the pay is quite competitive. Finance analysts usually receive high salaries, benefits, and performance-based bonuses. Also, finance analysts are getting to work with advanced financial software, data analytics tools, and cutting-edge technologies like AI and machine learning. It keeps the work interesting and innovative. However, the pressure can be intense, with tight deadlines and the huge impact financial decisions can have on a company's performance. It can be especially tough for newcomers. And the long hours are a common complaint. During critical financial reporting periods, work-life balance can take a hit with extra hours, including evenings and weekends. Some roles and industries are particularly demanding during budgeting and auditing seasons. On top of that, technical issues with financial software and tools can be a major headache. And with technology constantly evolving, you need to keep up and keep learning, which can be demanding.
What general advice would you give to a Project Finance Analyst?
Dr. Mark Evans: Add value beyond what you are asked to do. Take ownership of your work. Volunteer for the most difficult jobs and clients.
What Project Finance Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Mark Evans: Don't stop learning. Treat your first job like more graduate school. Learn everything you can.
What general advice would you give to a Project Finance Analyst?
David Spohn DBA, MBA, MJUR, CWM®: Entering the profession of a finance analyst is particularly promising at present due to several global economic factors. The increasing complexity of financial markets, coupled with regulatory changes and technological advancements, creates a strong demand for skilled analysts who can navigate and interpret these dynamics. Furthermore, the growth of big data and advanced analytics tools has expanded the scope and depth of analyses possible, making this role critical for companies looking to leverage data-driven strategies for competitive advantage. Finance analysts are essential in crafting strategies that mitigate risks and maximize returns, which is pivotal in today's volatile economic environment.
What Project Finance Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
David Spohn DBA, MBA, MJUR, CWM®: On a day-to-day basis, a finance analyst typically engages in activities that revolve around the analysis and interpretation of financial data to inform and guide strategic business decisions. This involves collecting data from various sources, including market reports, financial statements, and other relevant documents. The primary task is to model financial scenarios using this data, providing insights into business performance, market trends, and investment opportunities. For those new to the field, the day often includes rigorous training in data analysis tools, attending meetings with senior analysts and mentors, and developing detailed reports that summarize financial findings. New entrants often focus on supporting specific projects or segments of the financial analysis process, gradually taking on more responsibility as they gain experience and expertise.
What will help Project Finance Analysts increase their earning potential?
David Spohn DBA, MBA, MJUR, CWM®: Likes:
- Intellectual Stimulation: Many finance analysts enjoy the challenge of solving complex financial puzzles and deriving insights from data. The role often requires staying updated with the latest economic trends and financial theories, providing continuous learning opportunities.
- Impact on Decision-making: Analysts often take pride in the fact that their work directly influences strategic business decisions. This can be highly rewarding, especially when their recommendations lead to successful outcomes.
- Career Opportunities: The field offers numerous pathways for career advancement. Analysts can ascend to roles in senior management, specialize in particular sectors such as fintech or healthcare, or move into investment roles.
Dislikes:
- High Pressure: The role can be highly stressful, with tight deadlines and significant implications tied to their analyses and recommendations. Financial markets are dynamic, and the pressure to provide accurate, timely insights can be intense.
- Monotony in Initial Stages: New entrants might find the work initially repetitive as they learn the ropes of data collection and basic analysis techniques. The intellectual rewards and more engaging tasks often come with increased responsibility.
- Work-Life Balance: Depending on the employer and the state of the market, long hours can be common, especially during financial reporting periods or significant market changes, which can impact work-life balance.
What general advice would you give to a Project Finance Analyst?
Daniel Layman: Employers will value employees who can think creatively and originally on their feet, solve tough analytical problems, and communicate the solutions effectively in situations where AI and digital tools may not suffice. Fast, clear, and creative problem-solving skills, along with effective communication, will be crucial.