Financial Analyst in Mansfield, TX

The Salary Picture: Where Mansfield Stands

As a local who's watched the DFW metro's growth spill into Tarrant and Ellis counties, I can tell you Mansfield offers a solid, if not spectacular, salary landscape for Financial Analysts. The key here is the cost-of-living advantage. You're not paying Dallas prices, but you're close enough to those high-paying corporate jobs to keep your salary competitive.

Let's break down the numbers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local market data, the median salary for a Financial Analyst in Mansfield is $99,990/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $99,990 / 52 weeks / 40 hours = $48.07/hour. This is slightly above the national average for the profession, which sits at $99,010/year. The metro area (which captures the broader Tarrant/Ellis region) has an estimated 159 jobs for this role, with a projected 10-year job growth of 9%. This isn't explosive growth, but it's steady, indicating a stable market rather than a boom-and-bust cycle.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Salaries in Mansfield follow the standard progression. Local firms, from the regional banks on Highway 157 to the corporate offices in nearby Southlake, pay for proven experience. Here’s a realistic breakdown:

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Estimated Annual Salary Range	Key Local Employers at This Level
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$65,000 - $80,000	Credit Unions (e.g., Tarrant County Credit Union), small local CPA firms, regional banks.
Mid-Level	3-7 years	$85,000 - $115,000	Larger regional banks (e.g., First Financial Bank), mid-sized manufacturing companies, healthcare systems.
Senior	8-15 years	$115,000 - $145,000	Senior roles at Lockheed Martin (Fort Worth plant), Texas Health Resources, or as a lead analyst at a local firm.
Expert/Manager	15+ years	$145,000+	Director of Finance at a local corporation, VP of FP&A at a healthcare network, or a consulting partner.

Comparison to Other Texas Cities

Mansfield's salary is competitive within the DFW metro, but it's not the top tier. You earn more in Dallas or Fort Worth, but you also pay more in rent and daily costs.

City	Median Salary	1BR Rent (Avg.)	Cost of Living Index (US Avg=100)	Take-Home Potential
Mansfield	$99,990	$1,291	103.3	High
Dallas	$105,000+	$1,700+	108.5	Medium
Fort Worth	$102,000	$1,500	105.1	Medium-High
Austin	$108,000	$1,800	112.5	Medium
Houston	$101,000	$1,400	107.8	Medium

Insider Tip: The real value in Mansfield is proximity to Southlake. Many financial analysts live in Mansfield and commute 20-30 minutes north to the corporate hubs of Southlake (home to American Airlines, Fidelity Investments, Sabre) or even to the Dallas Galleria area. You get the Mansfield lifestyle and home prices while accessing Dallas-level salaries. The $99,990 median here is a blend of local employers and these commuters.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get real about your monthly budget. We'll base this on the median salary of $99,990/year, filing as a single filer (for a baseline), and using current Texas tax rates (no state income tax, but federal and FICA apply).

Estimated Monthly Take-Home Pay:

• Gross Monthly: $99,990 / 12 = $8,332.50
• Federal Tax (est. 22% bracket): ~$1,833
• FICA (7.65%): ~$637
• Net Monthly Take-Home: $5,862

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

• Rent (1BR Average): $1,291
• Utilities (Est.): $200 (Electric, Water, Internet)
• Groceries: $400
• Transportation (Gas, Ins., Maint.): $350 (Mansfield is car-dependent)
• Health Insurance (Est. Employer Share): $350 (deductible)
• Retirement (401k, 5%): $416 (pre-tax, so actually saves on taxes)
• Discretionary/Entertainment: $1,255

Monthly Savings Potential: $5,862 - $1,291 - $200 - $400 - $350 - $350 - $416 - $1,255 = $1,600

After a responsible budget, you're left with about $1,600/month for additional savings, travel, or paying down debt. This is a comfortable margin.

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?
This is the big question for many moving to the area. With $1,600 in monthly savings, you could save $19,200 per year for a down payment. The median home price in Mansfield is hovering around $375,000. A 20% down payment is $75,000. On a $99,990 salary, a lender would likely approve you for a mortgage of roughly $400,000 (following the 28/36 rule). This means yes, you can absolutely afford to buy a home in Mansfield on this median salary, especially if you have a partner with income. The market is more accessible than in Dallas proper.

Where the Jobs Are: Mansfield's Major Employers

Mansfield’s job market is a mix of local anchors and commuters. While you won't find a "Wall Street" office here, the opportunities are solid and growing. Here are the key players:

1. Texas Health Resources (Texas Health Mansfield Hospital): The healthcare sector is a massive employer. Financial Analysts here work on budgeting for patient services, managing departmental P&Ls, and analyzing cost-per-case metrics. Hiring is steady due to the growing population.
2. Mansfield Independent School District (MISD): One of the largest employers in the city. Analysts manage budgets for a district of over 35,000 students. It's stable, good benefits, but salaries tend to be on the lower end of the range for the profession.
3. City of Mansfield: Municipal finance is a niche. The city's financial department manages bonds, capital improvement projects (like the new recreation center), and utility funds. Jobs are competitive but offer great work-life balance.
4. Regional Banks & Credit Unions: Look at First Financial Bank (a regional powerhouse with a strong DFW presence) and Tarrant County Credit Union. They need analysts for commercial lending, risk assessment, and internal financial reporting.
5. Manufacturing & Logistics: While not as visible, Mansfield has a growing industrial base. Companies like Caterpillar (nearby in DeSoto) and various logistics firms along I-20 and US 67 need analysts for supply chain cost analysis.
6. The Commuter Play: The biggest pool of jobs is actually a 20-40 minute drive north. Lockheed Martin (Fort Worth), American Airlines (Fort Worth), Sabre (Southlake), and Fidelity Investments (Southlake) are all major hirers of financial analysts. Living in Mansfield gives you a reverse commute, which is a huge quality-of-life advantage.

Hiring Trends: The 10-year job growth of 9% reflects the steady influx of families and businesses. Hiring is strongest in healthcare and the public sector. For the best salaries, you'll need to target the corporate employers in Southlake/Fort Worth or be willing to specialize in areas like healthcare finance or manufacturing cost accounting.

Getting Licensed in TX

For most corporate financial analyst roles, you don't need a state license. However, certain specializations do. The two most common are the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

• CPA (Texas State Board of Public Accountancy):

  • Requirements: 150 semester hours of education (typically a bachelor's + 30 extra credits), passing all four parts of the Uniform CPA Exam, and at least one year of work experience under a licensed CPA.
  • Costs: Exam fees ($1,500 total), application fees ($300), review course (e.g., Becker, Roger) (~$2,000-$3,500). Total startup cost: $4,000 - $6,000.
  • Timeline: 6-18 months to study and pass all exams. The full licensure process can take 1.5-2 years from start to finish.
  • Insider Tip: Many local firms offer CPA exam reimbursement. It's a key question to ask in interviews if you're pursuing this path.

• CFA (CFA Institute):

  • Requirements: A bachelor's degree (or equivalent), passing three rigorous exams, and 4,000 hours of relevant work experience over 3+ years.
  • Costs: One-time enrollment fee ($350) plus exam registration fees for each level (~$1,250-$1,600 per level). Total cost: $4,000 - $5,000+.
  • Timeline: Typically 2-3 years to complete all three levels, as they are only offered once or twice a year.
  • Insider Tip: The CFA is highly valued in investment-focused roles (e.g., at Fidelity in Southlake). It's less common for corporate FP&A roles in Mansfield, but it can set you apart.

Bottom Line: For a standard FP&A role in Mansfield, a license isn't required, but a CPA is often preferred for senior and controller-track positions. The CFA is a specialty credential for investment management.

Best Neighborhoods for Financial Analysts

Your choice of neighborhood will depend on your commute tolerance and lifestyle. Mansfield is a suburb, so "walkability" is limited, but the neighborhoods are safe and family-friendly.

1. North Mansfield (Near Walnut Creek & Heritage Parkway):

   • Vibe: Established, mature trees, near the best schools (Mansfield ISD). Close to US 67 and I-20 for commuting north.
   • Commute: 20-30 mins to Southlake/Fort Worth.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,350 - $1,500/month (1BR).
   • Best For: Analysts with families who want top schools and a quiet community.

2. South Mansfield (Near the Mansfield Municipal Complex):

   • Vibe: Newer construction, more modern amenities, closer to shopping (The Shops at Southpoint, Mansfield Town Center).
   • Commute: 25-35 mins to Southlake/Fort Worth.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,250 - $1,400/month (1BR).
   • Best For: Young professionals who want newer apartments and easy access to retail and dining.

3. East Mansfield (Near Highway 360):

   • Vibe: More affordable, slightly older housing stock. Gaining development near the 360 corridor.
   • Commute: 15-25 mins to the southeast, 30-40 mins to Southlake.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,100 - $1,300/month (1BR).
   • Best For: Budget-conscious analysts who don't mind a longer commute for lower rent.

4. The "Reverse Commute" Option - Living in Fort Worth:

   • Vibe: Urban, cultural, vibrant nightlife.
   • Commute: 15-20 mins to Mansfield (traffic is lighter southbound).
   • Rent Estimate: $1,400 - $1,800/month (1BR in trendy areas like Near Southside).
   • Best For: Analysts who want city life and work for a Mansfield-based employer (like the hospital or school district).

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Mansfield, your career path will be less about vertical climbs in a single firm and more about strategic moves. The 9% job growth over 10 years isn't enough to support massive internal promotions at every company, so mobility is key.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Healthcare Finance (FP&A at Texas Health): High demand, stable. Premium of +5-10% over standard corporate roles.
  • Manufacturing/Supply Chain (Cost Accountant): Niche skill, can command a premium if you find the right company.
  • Government/Non-Profit (School District/City): Lower base salary but excellent benefits (pension, job security). The trade-off is worth it for many.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Analyst -> Senior Analyst -> Finance Manager -> Director of Finance. This is the standard corporate ladder. You'll likely need to change companies every 3-5 years to make this jump in the Mansfield area.
  2. Analyst -> Controller (for smaller firms). Many local businesses need a Controller. This path requires a CPA and deep operational experience.
  3. Analyst -> Management Consultant (with a firm in DFW). Many analysts in Mansfield start local, get 3-5 years of experience, and then move to a consulting firm (like Deloitte or PwC in Dallas) for higher pay and faster advancement, using their Mansfield cost-of-living savings as a buffer.

• 10-Year Outlook: The market will remain stable. The biggest growth will come from the continued expansion of healthcare and the trickle-down effect of DFW's corporate growth. To maximize earnings, be prepared to commute 20-40 minutes north to Southlake or Fort Worth for the highest-paying roles, or become a specialist in a growing local field like healthcare or municipal finance.

The Verdict: Is Mansfield Right for You?

Here’s the honest breakdown:

Pros	Cons
Affordable Cost of Living: Your $99,990 salary goes much further here than in Dallas or Austin.	Limited "Top-Tier" Employers: You'll likely commute for the highest salaries and most glamorous roles.
Excellent Public Schools (MISD): A major draw for families.	Car-Dependent Lifestyle: Walkability is low. You'll need a car for everything.
Safe, Suburban Feel: Quiet streets, low crime, community centers.	Less Cultural/Nightlife: Compared to Fort Worth or Dallas, it's a bedroom community.
Strategic Location: Easy reverse commute to DFW's corporate hubs (Southlake, Fort Worth).	Job Market Can Be Narrow: Fewer "financial analyst" job postings locally vs. the metro.
Strong Homeownership Potential: Median salary can support a median home price.	Slower Career Advancement: May require job-hopping between local and metro employers.

Final Recommendation:
Mansfield is an excellent choice for financial analysts at the mid-level who are looking for stability, affordability, and a family-friendly environment. If you're a single professional seeking a vibrant urban scene or a new graduate wanting to be in the heart of corporate DFW, you might find it limiting. However, if your priority is maximizing your take-home pay for homeownership and quality of life, and you're willing to commute 20-30 minutes for the best jobs, Mansfield is a strategic and financially savvy base of operations in the sprawling DFW metroplex.

FAQs

1. How competitive is the job market for a Financial Analyst in Mansfield itself?
The local market is competitive but not cutthroat. You're competing with a pool of candidates who often have deeper ties to the area (family, schools). A strong resume with specific experience (e.g., healthcare, municipal finance) will stand out. For the highest salaries, you'll compete in the broader DFW metro pool.

2. Do I need to know Spanish for a financial analyst job in Mansfield?
While not a formal requirement, it's a significant asset. Mansfield has a growing Hispanic population (over 20% of residents). In client-facing roles (banks) or community-facing roles (schools, city), being bilingual is a major plus for building trust and serving the community.

3. What's the commute really like from Mansfield to Southlake?
It's a reverse commute, which is a huge advantage. In the morning, you're driving north while most traffic is heading south. A 25-mile drive to Southlake can take 25-35 minutes on a good day. However, if you work