CFA Level 1 vs 2 Salary: Earning Potential and Job Scopes!
By IIC Lakshya
17 Oct 2025
If you are on your CFA journey, you have to learn about the CFA Level 1 vs 2 course salaries, future scope, and career prospects. To understand the earning potential of CFA courses, you have to compare the two levels. You get to learn about the significance of the certification in the finance and investment management sector.
What is CFA?
What is CFA? The full form of CFA is Chartered Financial Analyst, a professional designation that is well recognized and respected. As an individual, if you are aspiring to build a career in finance, you can understand the salary potential after you complete the CFA Level 1 and Level 2.
There are three levels of the CFA program that help you develop knowledge in portfolio management, ethical standards, financial modeling, and investment analysis. You have to prepare, study effectively, and pass exams across the CFA course duration.
CFA Level 1 Salary: Earning potential
You have to prepare for the CFA Level 1 examination by allotting time and scheduling your study period. Once you pass the exam, what should you expect after passing CFA Level 1?
When you qualify for the first level of CFA, you do not become a full charterholder. However, it does create opportunities for entry-level positions in investment and finance-related roles. The job positions that are available for CFA Level 1 candidates are research, investment, equity, and financial analyst.
What is the salary of a fresher? Well, to answer your question, your average salary after CA Level 1 is between INR 4 and INR 8 LPA. It also depends on the industry, prior experience, and location.
CFA Level 2 Salary: Earning potential
The CFA Level 2 certification is considered more significant compared to the CFA Level 1 certification by employers. As a CFA Level 2 qualified individual, you have a better understanding of financial reporting, investment tools, and asset valuation. Just like the CFA Level 2 cost is also higher!
Comparing CFA Level 1 vs Level 2, qualifying Level 2 with more knowledge and skills, you are considered on a senior level compared to the job positions available to CFA Level 1. Considering there are analytical roles in this sector, the Level 2 pass-out candidates have a higher possibility of landing advanced positions.
What is the starting salary of a fresher? The salary of a CFA Level 2 in India is between INR 4 and INR 8 LPA. The available job roles with this qualification are investment banking, credit and risk analyst, equity research associate, and financial consultant.
Job Opportunities Comparison : CFA Level 1 vs Level 2
In international markets, the CFA program is well recognized and respected. There are several industries that are hiring CFA candidates, like investment banking, wealth management, hedge funds, risk management, and consulting firms.
Considering the course is creating a successful future career path, you have to invest in it. There are variations in the admission fees hence, you have to learn about the CFA course fees structure in 2025. This will help you understand how much investment you are doing and what are the returns once you start earning!
In high-stakes environments, CFA professionals are valued due to their analytical skills, ethical judgment, and in-depth financial knowledge. If you look for a job after your CFA Level 1 certification, you will have limited options compared to a job opportunity you will apply for CFA Level 2.
As finance professionals, skills and ethical practices are your forte if you are CFA Level 1 vs CFA level 2 qualified. Hence, the CFA Level 2 job salary is competitively high.
|
Certification Levels |
Common Job Roles |
|
CFA Level 1 |
|
|
CFA Level 2 |
|
Salary Comparison: CFA Level 1 vs Level 2
When comparing the salary of a CFA certified professional at level 1 and level 2, it is important to understand why there is a difference. Of course the discerning factors that influence the two levels of job opportunities are advanced knowledge, career opportunities and credibility.
For example, when CFA Level 1 certification helps you develop foundational knowledge in finance and investment analysis. So, your salary becomes limited as compared to CFA Level 2. The reason why your salary will be higher as compared to CFA Level 1 is because it helps you develop skills like deeper understanding of asset pricing, valuation and real-world application.
Henceforth, CFA Level 2 offers you a higher salary and more opportunities compared to CFA Level 1. This is the tabular form of difference between CFA Level 1 and 2 salary:
|
Criteria |
CFA Level 1 |
CFA Level 2 |
|
Typical Salary Range |
INR 4 - 8 LPA |
INR 7 - 14 LPA |
|
Experience Required |
0-2 years |
2-4 years |
|
Preferred Job Sectors |
Research support, retail banking, KPOs |
Asset management, equity research, investment banking |
|
Market Perception |
Foundation-level finance knowledge |
Applied investment & valuation expertise |
|
Promotions & Role Upgrades |
Slower progression |
Fast track to associate and senior analysts |
|
Demand in Job Market |
High but competitive |
Higher (due to specific skill sets) |
CFA Future Scope
The future scope of CFA is quite promising to become certified CFA professionals with this qualification will have global exposure and be globally recognized. Almost 170 countries recognize and accept CFA certification.
Why is the CFA course important? If you compare it with other certification courses like an MBA, the CFA program is more affordable. Additionally, the certification course offers competitive salary potential.
Ready to Pursue your CFA Degree?
As an individual, if you are planning to work in asset management, portfolio management, investment banking, or corporate finance, CFA is the ideal course for you. CFA Level 1 & 2 establishes your theoretical foundation along with your analytical skills.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is there a demand for CFA in India?
Yes, there is a demand for CFA in India, specifically in cities like Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Pune, and Mumbai. With foreign investment increasing along with the capital market expanding, the demand for CFA has significantly increased, too.
Who earns more, a CFA or a CA?
When you ask who earns more, CFA or CA, it depends on the industry, experience, and role. In the taxation, compliance, and audit domains, CA traditionally earns more. While in fund management, equity research, and investment banking sectors, a CFA professional earns more.
Who earns more: MBA or CFA?
In most cases, in terms of professional experience and job roles, an MBA earns more than a CFA. MBA certification helps you get jobs in leadership, consulting, and strategy roles, while CFAs offer you roles in research, investment roles, and core finance. A CFA salary is less than that of an MBA.
Are CFA salaries higher compared to other industries in India?
Yes, the CFA salaries are comparatively higher than those in other industries in India. In certain sectors like capital markets, asset management, and financial services, CFA pays the best. However, in manufacturing, FMCG, and operations roles, the CFA designation might be less relevant, hence with a lower salary.
Can CFA professionals negotiate both salaries and job roles?
Yes, definitely. CFA professionals can negotiate salaries and job roles, and they should. With the niche skills, valuation, investment research, financial modeling, and risk assessment are possessed by CFA candidates. Henceforth, the position is highly valued; therefore, they deserve high pay.
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