Last updated on July 23rd, 2025 at 11:51 am
The salary of CFA in India has become one of the most controversial topics among finance students and working professionals aiming for lucrative global careers. With India undergoing explosive growth in its financial landscape, the need for globally acclaimed finance professionals has increased manifold. Since the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation is regarded as the gold standard in investment management, salary opportunities in 2025 are growing by the day.
In this article, we’ll explore CFA salary in India 2025, the earning potential for each CFA level, salary comparisons with MBA, international earning prospects, and roles that pay the highest.
Why CFA Salary in India is Rising in 2025
CFA Career Value in a Growing Economy
The financial market of India is changing, and globally acclaimed certification professionals are needed. CFA charterholders possess unparalleled investment analysis, portfolio management, and financial ethics abilities, which entitles them to higher remuneration.
Impact of CFA Curriculum on Compensation
Possessing a curriculum specifically designed for equity, fixed income, economics, ethics, and alternatives, CFA-certified professionals are ready to manage complicated financial positions, thus earning them competitive compensation.
CFA Fresher Salary in India: What to Expect
One of the most sought-after questions is: What is the fresher salary of CFA in India? As of 2025, here is the information:
CFA Level 1 hopefuls get ₹4 – ₹6 LPA
CFA Level 2 hopefuls get ₹6 – ₹9 LPA
CFA Level 3 cleared or CFA charterholders get ₹10 – ₹14 LPA as freshers
These amounts make the CFA salary in India a highly sought option for finance students and fresher’s.
CFA Level-wise Salary in India
CFA Level 1 Salary
- Junior analyst positions
- Avg. Salary: ₹4 – ₹6 LPA
CFA Level 2 Salary
- Junior analyst, research associate positions
- Avg. Salary: ₹6 – ₹9 LPA
CFA Level 3 or Charterholder Salary
- Financial Analyst, Portfolio Manager, Risk Analyst
- Avg. Salary: ₹10 – ₹25 LPA
This thorough analysis of CFA level-wise salary in India assists aspirants in estimating the potential financial growth through the certification process.
CFA Salary Growth in India: The Long-Term Picture
The CFA salary hike in India depends upon industry, firm, experience, and designation. However, candidates with an experience of 5–10 years have mentioned ₹25 LPA to ₹50 LPA as their salary.
Such high-growth sectors are:
- Investment Banking
- Portfolio Management
- Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
- Equity Research
These companies like to hire CFA-certified professionals as they can invest money on fact-based decisions.
High Paying CFA Jobs in 2025
Want to know what are highest paying CFA jobs in India?
- Investment Banker – ₹25 to ₹60 LPA
- Portfolio Manager – ₹20 to ₹45 LPA
- Risk Manager – ₹18 to ₹35 LPA
- Equity Research Analyst – ₹15 to ₹30 LPA
- Corporate Finance Analyst – ₹12 to ₹28 LPA
These not only command high salaries but also leadership roles and international exposure.
CFA vs MBA Salary in India: A Fair Comparison
A frequent question is: Which is better in salary terms – CFA or MBA?
- Top Tier MBA (IIM/ISB): ₹20 – ₹35 LPA
- CFA Charterholder: ₹15 – ₹30 LPA
Although MBA can provide larger positions across sectors, CFA salary in India is equal to that of MBA pass-outs when it comes to finance-related positions such as investment banking and asset management. ROI for CFA is significantly higher because it is lower on cost terms and universally accepted.
Average CFA Salary in India
Based on available data, the average salary of a CFA in India at all levels and positions is approximately ₹10 – ₹12 LPA. The average encompasses:
- Entry (₹5 – ₹7 LPA)
- Mid (₹12 – ₹18 LPA)
- Senior (₹25 – ₹40 LPA+)
Companies providing these salary packages are Deloitte, KPMG, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, and Franklin Templeton.
CFA International Job Opportunities
Beyond Indian borders, CFA international job opportunities are numerous. There is high demand for CFA nations as follows:
- USA
- UK
- Canada
- UAE
- Singapore
Average salary for CFA overseas:
- USA: $100,000+ (₹83 LPA+)
- UK: £70,000 (₹75 LPA+)
- UAE: AED 350,000 (₹80 LPA+)
These overseas countries greatly consider the CFA designation for hedge fund jobs, asset management companies, and foreign banks.
CFA Designation Job Prospects in India
Let us now learn about the job opportunities for CFA professionals in India.
CFA Job Roles in India
- Financial Analyst
- Equity Research Analyst
- Portfolio Manager
- Investment Banker
- Risk Manager
- Corporate Finance Executive
These profiles target industries such as BFSI, Consultancies, ITES, and FinTech—one of which contributes to the growth in CFA salary in India.
What Affects CFA Salary in India 2025?
1. Location:
Metro cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore provide higher CFA salaries.
2. Experience Level:
Fresher vs mid/senior level indicates a difference of ₹10 – ₹30 LPA.
3. Company Type:
Investment companies and MNCs provide better packages than startups.
4. Level Cleared:
Level 3 cleared CFA candidate earns significantly higher pay than Level 1.
5. Skill Specialisation:
Quant skills, Python, or Excel expertise can earn you a 20% increment on your compensation package.
How to Maximise Your CFA Salary in India
If you desire to increase your CFA salary in India, the following are proven and tested methods:
- Complete all 3 levels within 2–3 years
- Gain 2–4 years of finance experience
- Build your experiential learning personal finance portfolio
- Guidance and interview preparation with industry professionals
- Upskill in tools such as Excel, Python, Power BI, Bloomberg Terminal
Why Imarticus Learning for CFA Preparation?
To achieve a good CFA salary in India, the prep needs to be high quality. Imarticus Learning provides:
- Dual-teacher model with 24×7 mentorship
- High-quality content and mock tests by Kaplan Schweser
- Money-back guarantee if you fail to clear
- Placement support after CFA Level 1
- Doubt-clearing sessions with CFA Charterholders
Such broad guidance definitely enhances your chances of success along with a better salary.
FAQs: CFA Salary in India 2025
Q1. What is the CFA fresher salary in India?
New CFA Level 1 candidates can earn ₹4 – ₹6 LPA. To-be-full charterholders receive ₹10 – ₹14 LPA as freshers.
Q2. What is the CFA Level-wise salary in India?
- Level 1: ₹4 – ₹6 LPA
- Level 2: ₹6 – ₹9 LPA
- Level 3: ₹10 – ₹25 LPA
Q3. How does CFA compare to MBA in salary?
Top MBA graduates receive ₹20 – ₹35 LPA, whereas top CFA charterholders receive ₹15 – ₹30 LPA in finance-specialized roles.
Q4. Is there salary growth after CFA in India?
Yes. Professionals witness 192% salary increase after 5–10 years of CFA.
Q5. Which are the high-paying CFA jobs?
Careers such as Portfolio Manager, Risk Manager, and Investment Banker provide ₹25 LPA+ salary packages.
Q6. Can CFA get you jobs abroad?
Yes. CFA is accepted in 160+ countries, and overseas job listings provide ₹80 LPA or more.
Q7. What factors affect CFA salary?
Level cleared, organization, location, and technical skill are important factors.
Q8. What is the average CFA salary in India?
Average salary is approximately ₹10 – ₹12 LPA.
Q9. Do all companies offer the same salary to CFA charterholders?
No. Banks and multinationals pay more than local firms.
Q10. Does Imarticus offer placement support post-CFA?
Yes. Imarticus provides resume preparation, mentoring, and interview preparation.
Conclusion: CFA Salary in India 2025—Is It Worth It?
As more demands are raised for professionally qualified finance experts, the compensation package of the CFA in India will increase gradually. From ₹4 LPA as a fresher to ₹50 LPA as an experienced individual, the path is challenging but fruitful.
If investment banking, asset management, or equity research is your dream to seriously chase, then CFA is one of the highly coveted credentials. With proper training from Imarticus Learning, your path towards securing a lucrative job in finance is assured.
Begin your CFA journey now and tread the financial world with confidence.