Career comparison
Controller vs Financial Analyst
A side-by-side read on pay, outlook, and — the part that actually decides it — which one fits the way you work.
Controller
$158,000median
$110K – $285K
Controller rewards strength in execution discipline and analytical thinking.
Financial Analyst
$98,000median
$70K – $195K
Financial Analyst rewards strength in analytical thinking and execution discipline.
Head to head
MetricControllerFinancial Analyst
Median salary$158k✓$98k
5-year growth50/10064/100✓
Future-proof56/10056/100
Remote potential62/10060/100
Stress level68/10064/100
Entry difficulty78/10062/100✓
Figures from the Work Fit IQ catalog, calibrated to public 2024-2026 US labor signals (BLS OEWS/OOH, O*NET, Levels.fyi). A highlighted side means a meaningful edge on that metric, not a verdict on the whole career.
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