Financial Examiners
Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.
Also called: AML Director (Anti-Money Laundering Director), Anti Money Laundering Investigator (AML Investigator), Bank Compliance Officer, Bank Examiner, Bank Secrecy Act Anti-Money Laundering Officer (BSA/AML Officer), BSA Analyst (Business Systems Analyst)
Median pay
$94,160
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$56,230 – $174,200
People employed
67,830
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.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 2.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 3.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 4.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 5.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 6.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Financial Examiners pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (48 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What financial examiners do
- 01Direct and participate in formal and informal meetings with bank directors, trustees, senior management, counsels, outside accountants, and consultants to gather information and discuss findings.
- 02Recommend actions to ensure compliance with laws and regulations, or to protect solvency of institutions.
- 03Prepare reports, exhibits, and other supporting schedules that detail an institution's safety and soundness, compliance with laws and regulations, and recommended solutions to questionable financial conditions.
- 04Resolve problems concerning the overall financial integrity of banking institutions including loan investment portfolios, capital, earnings, and specific or large troubled accounts.
- 05Investigate activities of institutions to enforce laws and regulations and to ensure legality of transactions and operations or financial solvency.
- 06Review balance sheets, operating income and expense accounts, and loan documentation to confirm institution assets and liabilities.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- English Language
- Economics and Accounting
- Law and Government
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
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: none.
- On-the-job training: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
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 financial examiners
- Treasurers and Controllers92% · group pay
- Compliance Managers91% · group pay
- Management Analysts86% · +8%
- Financial Managers86% · +77%
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists83% · −17%
Change into financial examiners
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Treasurers and Controllers92% · $166,570
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists88% · $78,210
- Compliance Managers85% · $141,900
- Investment Fund Managers85% · $166,570
- Management Analysts82% · $101,860
Majors that lead here
- Suspension and Debarment Investigation
- Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation
- Accounting
- Auditing
- Taxation
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.