CMT Jobs

First, let’s review some CMT jobs quick facts, then we’ll get into exactly what CMTs do, how much money they make, and CMT career overviews.

• CMTs are financial analysts who use fundamental and technical methods to forecast and evaluate financial market trends.
• The median salary for a CMT charterholder is over $200,000.
• Top CMT jobs include investment analyst, research analyst, portfolio manager, hedge fund manager, budget analyst, and more.
• CMTs typically work for stock brokerage firms, investment banks, mutual fund companies, pension fund management companies, and hedge funds.

Chartered Market Technicians are financial analysts who use fundamental and technical methods to forecast and evaluate financial market trends. Using their analysis, CMTs make buy and sell recommendations for their company and/or clients of the company.

CMT Job Description

CMTs use their specialized investment knowledge to perform technical analyses of investment risks and make predictions about future performance. They also use their analysis to make strategic recommendations on how to manage stock portfolios for businesses and their customers.

CMT charterholders have comprehensive technical analysis skills, including:

• Risk Management
• Asset Relationships
• Portfolio Management
• Behavioral Finance
• Quantitative Financial Research & Trading
• Chart Analysis
• Technical Investment Strategies
• System Testing
• Statistical Analysis

To earn a CMT certification, you need to meet educational and work experience requirements, pass all 3 levels of the CMT exam, and be a member of the CMT Association. Learn more about how to become a CMT.

Financial analysts who earn the CMT designation stand to earn substantially more than their uncertified peers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 2021 median pay for all financial analysts was $81,410. However, a 2018 CMT Association survey showed that CMT charterholders earned a median salary of over $200,000.

• Financial Analyst Median Salary: $81,410
• Chartered Market Technician Median Salary: > $200,000

Anyone who works with market behavior, the gap between intrinsic value and market price, behavioral finance, quantitative systems design, and risk management are prime candidates for the CMT charter. With that in mind, the CMT Association says the CMT designation is beneficial for:

• Portfolio managers
• Hedge fund managers
• Investment advisors
• RIAs
• Investment strategists
• Heads of research
• Chief investment officers

CMTs typically work for stock brokerage firms, investment banks, mutual fund companies, pension fund management companies, and hedge funds.

Investment Analyst

Investment analysts are your buy or sell experts. They collect, research, and analyze financial and investment information to make buy, sell, or hold recommendations to portfolio or investment managers.

The median salary for an investment analyst is $91,580, according to the BLS.

Research Analyst

Research analysts specialize in investment research and prepare investigative reports on assets or securities. Typically, their reports help companies and/or clients decide whether to buy, sell, or hold.

The median total compensation (salary plus additional pay) for a research analyst is $74,332, according to Glassdoor.com.

Portfolio Manager

A portfolio manager is a financial management expert who is responsible for investing the assets of a mutual, exchange-traded, or closed-end fund. They implement fund strategies and oversee day-to-day portfolio management.

The median total compensation (salary plus additional pay) for a portfolio manager is $108,155, according to Glassdoor.com.

Hedge Fund Manager

Hedge fund managers are non-traditional asset managers who use both long- and short-term investment strategies to maximize a specific hedge fund (or a targeted portion of it). They capitalize on market opportunities and often maximize risk as a strategy to outperform the rest of the market.

The average salary for a hedge fund manager is $105,451 according to Comparably.com, with the top 86% making $541,382.

Budget Analyst

Budget analysts are experts on the optimal allocation of funds. They review budget proposals and funding requests and apply a cost-benefit analysis to make budget decisions.

The median salary for a budget analyst is $79,940 according to the BLS.