Credit Analysts
Analyze credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. Prepare reports with credit information for use in decisionmaking.
Also called: Commercial Credit Analyst, Commercial Credit Manager, Credit Administrator, Credit Analyst, Credit and Collections Analyst, Credit Assessment Analyst
Median pay
$83,510
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$56,250 – $169,230
People employed
64,390
Holland code
CEI
Conventional · Enterprising · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 2.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 3.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 4.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 5.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 6.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 7.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 8.Do you want the same hours every week?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Credit Analysts pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What credit analysts do
- 01Analyze credit data and financial statements to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money.
- 02Complete loan applications, including credit analyses and summaries of loan requests, and submit to loan committees for approval.
- 03Generate financial ratios, using computer programs, to evaluate customers' financial status.
- 04Prepare reports that include the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money.
- 05Analyze financial data, such as income growth, quality of management, and market share to determine expected profitability of loans.
- 06Compare liquidity, profitability, and credit histories of establishments being evaluated with those of similar establishments in the same industries and geographic locations.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Mathematics
Knowledge
- Economics and Accounting
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Administrative
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from credit analysts
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents87% · −6%
- Actuaries84% · +56%
- Financial Managers81% · +99%
- Treasurers and Controllers81% · group pay
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists81% · −6%
Change into credit analysts
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents87% · $78,660
- Investment Fund Managers85% · $166,570
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks85% · $50,020
- Treasurers and Controllers85% · $166,570
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists81% · $78,210
Majors that lead here
- Accounting
- Finance, General
- Credit Management
- Financial Risk Management
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.