Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of controllers that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of controllers:
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Controller, Vice President is the highest-paid type of controller with an average salary of $161,965 and an average hourly rate of $77.87.
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The second highest-paying type of controller is corporate controller, with an average salary of $144,304.
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The average controller salary is $101,204 per year, and the average hourly pay is $48.66.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a controller, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of controllers are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of controllers:
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Controller, Vice President
Average Salary: $161,965
A Controller, Vice President is focused on controlling and directing financial planning and budget management. They supervise the daily operations of the finance department, such as financial reporting, accounts payable, and payroll.
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Corporate Controller
Average Salary: $144,304
A corporate controller is a professional who is responsible for supervising the overall daily accounting operations of an organization. Integral to the financial health of the organization, corporate controllers are required to help the organization with strategic financial decisions through forecasting reports and financial statements. They oversee maintaining accounting records by keeping and storing them in an operable system. Corporate controllers are also required to manage the accounting operations of the organization’s subsidiaries.
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Senior Finance Manager
Average Salary: $133,358
A senior finance manager is a professional who supervises financial department staff members as well as monitors the daily financial operations within a company. Senior finance managers must keep track of the financial status and performance of the company so that they can identify areas for potential improvement. They review financial data and prepare reports to be presented to the management to help them in their business decision making. Senior finance managers must also maintain policies within the company and should have a deep understanding of financial regulations and legislations.
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Accounting Director
Average Salary: $132,126
An Accounting Director supervises the general accounting and financial reporting functions, as well as financial services within a company or organization. They also ensure that all transactions and financial policies for their organization meet federal regulations and standards.
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Finance Leader
Average Salary: $117,284
The duties of a finance leader depend on one’s place or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around monitoring the sales and financial operations in a company, preparing financial reports and statements, finding new sales opportunities, identifying the market and client needs, and maintaining records of all financial transactions. There are also instances where a finance leader may set and allocate budgets, perform audits in costs and expenditures, all while implementing the company’s policies and regulations.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various controller that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Controllers
Methodology
Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for controllers.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Controller Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid controller job?
The highest-paid controller job is a controller, vice president. Controllers, Vice President earn an average salary of $161,965, which is $ 77.87 hourly.
A Controller, Vice President is focused on controlling and directing financial planning and budget management. They supervise the daily operations of the finance department, such as financial reporting, accounts payable, and payroll.
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What is a good salary for a controller?
A good salary for a controller is $101,204 or more. The average controller salary is $101,204, so those making at least $101,204 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average controller salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a controller, the average entry level salary is $69,583, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $101,204 average, as this includes all controllers of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Controller jobs pay well?
Yes, controller jobs pay well. As in any industry, some controller jobs pay better than others, but the average controller salary of $101,204 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many controller jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of controllers earning $165,529 a year on average.
Controllers’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a controller. Do your research on the going rate for a controller in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do controllers get paid the most?
Controllers get paid the most in New York. In New York, controllers earn an average annual salary of $121,130 and an average hourly wage of $58.24.
Following NY, the states with the highest-paid controllers are Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire, with average annual salaries of $112,665, $110,716, and $112,957 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid controller salaries are:
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Portland, ME – $121,606
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New York, NY – $121,157
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San Francisco, CA – $120,399
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
