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Job outlook for finance administrators in the United States
Finance administrator job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected finance administrator job growth rate is 17% from 2018-2028.
About 123,100 new jobs for finance administrators are projected over the next decade.
Finance administrator salaries have increased 10% for finance administrators in the last 5 years.
There are over 25,851 finance administrators currently employed in the United States.
There are 130,256 active finance administrator job openings in the US.
The average finance administrator salary is $55,541.
Are finance administrator jobs in demand?
Finance administrator job and salary trends over time
Finance administrator jobs over time
Finance administrator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 25,851 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 25,630 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 27,105 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 27,288 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 27,330 | 0.01% |
Average finance administrator salary over time
Finance administrator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $55,541 | $26.70 | +3.3% |
| 2025 | $53,765 | $25.85 | +1.5% |
| 2024 | $52,979 | $25.47 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $51,774 | $24.89 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $50,396 | $24.23 | +3.2% |
Finance administrator jobs by state
Most common states for finance administrators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,023 | 29% |
| 2 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,502 | 27% |
| 3 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 817 | 26% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 252 | 26% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 199 | 26% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 186 | 25% |
| 7 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 164 | 24% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 140 | 24% |
| 9 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,260 | 23% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 293 | 22% |
| 11 | Vermont | 623,657 | 138 | 22% |
| 12 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,579 | 21% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 223 | 21% |
| 14 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 712 | 20% |
| 15 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,487 | 19% |
| 16 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 773 | 19% |
| 17 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,888 | 18% |
| 18 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,289 | 18% |
| 19 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,072 | 18% |
| 20 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 354 | 18% |
Most common cities for finance administrators
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cambridge | 5 | 5% | $61,920 |
| 2 | Kahului | 1 | 4% | $52,311 |
| 3 | Portland | 2 | 3% | $68,968 |
| 4 | Dover | 1 | 3% | $71,121 |
| 5 | Kailua | 1 | 3% | $52,498 |
| 6 | Riverside | 5 | 2% | $63,820 |
| 7 | Coachella | 1 | 2% | $62,824 |
| 8 | Hilo | 1 | 2% | $52,048 |
| 9 | East Los Angeles | 1 | 1% | $64,476 |
| 10 | Franklin | 1 | 1% | $49,267 |
| 11 | Hartford | 1 | 1% | $64,899 |
| 12 | Austin | 2 | 0% | $56,749 |
| 13 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $61,951 |
| 14 | Los Angeles | 2 | 0% | $64,670 |
| 15 | Colorado Springs | 1 | 0% | $51,400 |
| 16 | Fort Worth | 1 | 0% | $55,374 |
| 17 | Houston | 1 | 0% | $56,616 |
| 18 | Irvine | 1 | 0% | $63,941 |
Finance Administrator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of finance administrator experts
University of Missouri - St Louis
Eastern Oregon University
Misericordia University
Pacific Lutheran University
Austin Peay State University
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Iona College
DePaul University
Florida International University
South College
University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown
University of Wisconsin
Baruch College, City University New York
Red Rocks Community College
DePaul University
Louisiana Tech University
What Finance Administrator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Joseph Oluwole: Gain as much leadership experience as possible before taking your first job by volunteering for various roles, opportunities, and committees at your school. Additionally, pursuing a doctorate (whether an Ed.D. or Ph.D.) could be very helpful in maximizing your salary potential.
What will help Finance Administrators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Joseph Oluwole: My general advice is to seek out administrator and professor mentors who can provide a sounding board and encouragement through the emotional roller coaster that administration can be. I cannot overstate the importance of supportive mentors to the success of a new graduate beginning as an administrator. Even the State of New Jersey, for instance, recognizes the importance of mentoring and created a formal program for new assistant principals and principals to seek support from experienced mentors under the state's New Jersey Leaders to Leaders (NJL2L) program.
What Finance Administrator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Amir Moeini Chaghervand PhD, CMA: In the next 3-5 years, I believe skills related to data analytics, technology proficiency, and communication will become more important in the accounting field. As technology advances, accountants will need to be proficient in data analysis and interpretation, as well as effective communication to convey complex financial information.
What will help Finance Administrators increase their earning potential?
Kirsten Cook:
Ten years ago, I would've said "soft skills" like verbal and written communication. Five years ago, data analytics was all the rage. I don't believe these skills have become any less important; rather, we must continue to layer on new skills to match the changing professional environment. Today, I encourage students to be technologically agile. For example, if you learned to use Alteryx in a class, but your new employer uses PowerBI, recognize the similarities between these programs and build on your existing knowledge to master the new tool. Also, stay abreast of developments in accounting by not only reading the business press but also by connecting with experts on social media like LinkedIn.
What general advice would you give to a Finance Administrator?
Abbie Daly PhD, CPA: Accounting is often referred to as the "language of business" because accountants communicate financial information. So communication is an integral part of an accountant's day. For example, auditors and tax preparers meet with their clients to understand their financial information, and accountants at organizations prepare and communicate financial information to guide strategic decisions. To facilitate these communications, accountants analyze and interpret many data points. For example, in auditing the revenue recognized by a company, an auditor would examine the underlying transactions, contracts, and supporting documentation.
Thomas Kozloski PhD, CPA, CGMA
Chair - Department of AccountingUniversity of Missouri - St Louis
Accounting And Related Services
What will help Finance Administrators increase their earning potential?
Thomas Kozloski PhD, CPA, CGMA: This is an excellent time to enter the accounting profession! Not only because technology continues to remove some of the more mechanical tasks that used to be performed by a person, but also because there is an extreme shortage of accounting-educated personnel across the country, especially those seeking to enter the profession. This fact is increasing salaries and benefits as hiring companies compete to hire new professionals.
Dr. Mohamed Abualhaija
Associate Professor of AccountingEastern Oregon University
Business/Commerce
What general advice would you give to a Finance Administrator?
Dr. Mohamed Abualhaija: In the corporate world, soft skills are critical, particularly for those starting careers in accounting, business, or similar fields. These skills help people deal with diverse situations at work and communicate with others more effectively. Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, flexibility, and emotional intelligence are all examples of essential soft skills.
Charles Makar
Instructor of BusinessMisericordia University
Business Department
What soft skills should all Finance Administrators possess?
Charles Makar: Communications skills (oral and written).
Abby Xin Liu Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorPacific Lutheran University
School of Business
What skills stand out on Finance Administrator resumes?
Abby Xin Liu Ph.D.: Writing and communication skills were mentioned frequently by the recruiters. In addition, lots of recruiters mentioned having a good attitude for learning new things.
Dr. Jennifer Thayer
Assistant Professor of Accounting, Socrates Award for Excellence in Teaching Recipient, Clarksville Chamber of Commerce APSU Distinguished Faculty Award for Community Service Recipient, Accounting Society at Austin Peay AdvisorAustin Peay State University
College of Business
What soft skills should all Finance Administrators possess?
Dr. Jennifer Thayer: From speaking with employers in the industry, the number one soft skill seems to be written and spoken communication. Many current students need to hone their written communication skills to avoid "text speak" when communicating with potential employers and/or clients. Other important soft skills include problem-solving, collaboration, adaptability, and willingness to deal with failure and/or criticism. Especially in the world of COVID and ever-changing work environments, the importance of adaptability and problem-solving have only been highlighted. Since most work environments involve people working in teams, effectively collaborating with others and accepting criticism are vital skills.
What technical skills for a Finance Administrator stand out to employers?
Zev Fried Ph.D.: For accountants, the same skills that were always needed such as proficiency with numbers, use of different types of computer software, and problem identification and solving are still needed. Emerging from the pandemic, there are also added skills such as the ability to work remotely and collaborate and share your work that will be important to employers.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Finance Administrators?
Dr. Andrew Griffith: As a student (both undergraduate and graduate), the most important experience you can have while a student is collaborating with faculty on research projects that lead to co-authorship of academic research publications in legitimate, highly visible journals. For the past several years, higher education institutions have advocated for continual learning (AKA lifetime learning). I see this become more of a requirement than an elective as the workforce evolves over the next few decades. The institutions that will be truly successful in adding long-term value to their students' futures in the workforce are the ones that embrace research in high quality journals AND include their students on their projects. The collaboration of students with faculty on academic research that addresses real life problems or pushes the field forward is critical to those students' future success because it helps them understand the value of and how to use academic research. That experience also equips these students with the skills necessary to be able to identify early where their field of expertise is going throughout their careers. The engagement of students with current research projects at the undergraduate and graduate levels of higher education is a trend that is emerging in the business disciplines and it will become more obvious as the workforce evolves. In the long run, the lack of engaging students at all levels through serious academic research will certainly contribute to hastening the demise of financially insecure higher education institutions in the U.S.
Regarding certifications and licenses in the accounting field, I cannot emphasize enough that anyone entering the accounting field must make it a priority to obtain more than just the minimum licenses and credentials required to obtain or retain an employment opportunity. Meeting just the minimum expectations of their employment market is insufficient and will limit their employment opportunities. As Charles Windeknecht of Atlas Air Worldwide once said to some of my students, "Today is the day to get ready for the opportunities of tomorrow. If you don't, the opportunities of tomorrow will pass you by." His words are very accurate. To maximize one's employment opportunities while in the workforce, each of us need to exceed the minimum qualifications and expectations of every role we hold and pursue in the workforce. With that in mind, I highly recommend and encourage those in the accounting field to obtain the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) as a minimum qualification goal because this is the #1 credential sought by employers according to Robert Half International (see https://www.roberthalf.com/blog/salaries-and-skills/finance-and-accounting-certifications-employers-want-to-see). Based on the data presented by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, I conclude that approximately half of the people working in the accounting field hold an active CPA license. This statistic alone is suffient enough to justify the CPA as everyone's first license/credential goal in the accounting field. Once that goal has been satisfied, I recommend that each person quickly shift their focus to any major licenses and certifications that are more in line with their career goals and current career opportunities. For example, if a CPA wants to work primarily in income taxation, then that person should also obtain the Enrolled Agent (EA) credential because it adds tangible value to those in the tax field. I also recommend that CPAs and EAs in the tax field consider obtaining the US Tax Court Practitioner (USTCP) credential. Another example involves CPAs who want to work in internal audit; they should obtain the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and other related credentials offered by The Institute of Internal Auditors as quickly as they can. CPAs who want to work in the fraud examination field should consider the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. CPAs who want to seek management positions should consider the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) from the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants and/or the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) from the Institute of Management Accountants.
I highly recommend that "minor" credentials in every field be avoided because they do not add value to one's career. Instead, those consume valuable resources including time and money. Everyone is much better off pursuing well established and widely recognized licenses and credentials that are highly desired by employers and serve to enhance one's career opportunities. With that in mind, the list compiled by Robert Half International is a great starting place. As a selling point to get people to spend their money, most organizations that offer a professional credential in the accounting field make a claim that their credential holders make more money than those without the promoted credential. Such statements are often very misleading or not true. Unless one works for a beauracy (like the federal government), obtaining the next degree or license or certification does not normally result in a salary increase. Instead, the major accounting licenses and credentials will create more career opportunities for their holders that, depending on how one performs with the new opportunities, could lead to other better compensated opportunities. In other words, an employee's performance has a larger role in influencing compensation over time than some of these organizations are willing to acknowlege in their quest to entice people to spend their money to obtain the promoted credentials.
What's a good job out of college for Finance Administrators?
Delvin Grant: To answer this question, I am assuming a COVID-19 environment. We know most jobs can be carried out in a face-to-face mode, but if this is not possible in a COVID environment, then it is difficult to consider those jobs as good jobs. Therefore, a good job is one that can be easily carried out in a COVID environment so MIS, IT, Computer Science, and similar professions that fit a remote working mode are excellent jobs.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Finance Administrator job market given the pandemic?
Jose Aldrich: -Rapid increase in quality of technology based solutions allowing for robust remote working and business interaction, will support working more from home where the business can adapt and has the technology solutions to support the new working environment. This trend will impact commercial real estate, primarily office space. Some companies may seek to reduce office space.
-Budgets for business travel, large meetings and in-person business meetings may decrease and budgets for remote technology may increase. Business travel industry may need to adapt to the reduced business travel as remote technology solutions continue to evolve.
-E-commerce is on the rise and will continue to increase as consumers become more comfortable with online purchasing (groceries, clothes and household items, etc). Shift from physical stores to virtual stores for a larger percentage of sales will lower cost of entry and give rise to new businesses to support the trend.
-Social norms have adapted to the new pandemic environment and may not fully return to pre-pandemic levels. Face masks, social distancing, handshaking, etc. may become the norm for some time and taper slowly with some habits continuing.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Finance Administrator job market given the pandemic?
D. Pace Porter: I believe the need for accounting and financial expertise will even be greater as a result of the pandemic. First, the increased technical accounting and reporting requirements related to risks disclosures, impairment analysis and so forth, and the tax and compliance requirements as a result of the various Coronavirus relief and stimulus legislation, will prompt an increase in demand whether through in-house personnel or through CPA firms. Trends toward more technologically advanced graduates began before the pandemic but will accelerate as a result of it. More importantly, however, is the need for improving economic and operational efficiencies, and therefore cash flow, for businesses to continue as a going concern throughout this pandemic and position themselves for growth once things return to some sort of normal. Accounting and financial expertise has an increasingly important role to play here.
What experience really stands out on Finance Administrator resumes?
Cristina DeDiana: All experiences are great. Anything that demonstrates a commitment will show employers that a candidate has potential. Obviously, an internship in your field tops the list, but don't neglect to include that first burger-flipping job, the organizations you belong to, the sport you played in high school, and volunteer activities. The most important experience is the one that means the most to you and that you can speak about passionately.
What skills stand out on Finance Administrator resumes?
Dr. William Miller: While a student can get an accounting degree with one hundred twenty credits, virtually all employers want their new hires to graduate with the requisite one hundred fifty credits to make them eligible to sit for the CPA exam (whether they intend to sit for it or not). Ninety-nine percent of our students graduate with one hundred fifty credits, most often with a double major. Historically that second major has been finance, however, that has changed. The gold standard of double majors is now accounting and information systems. It is not just me saying that, but the employers as well.
The entire world is data driven, every college of business needs to add course work that teaches students how to analyze and interpret data. Not just accounting, but every college of business degree. A resume highlighting either a second major in information systems or completing course work in data helps to set students above the fray. We have added a data analytics course to our accounting program as well as having incorporated integrated data analytics into several other courses, as well.
Highlighting expertise in the use of Microsoft Excel on a resume (perhaps gained through both course work and internship experience) also will stand out.
The above examples are all required, pandemic or not, but with the pandemic, essential skills, like the ability to work independently, communicate effectively, solve unstructured problems, and think critically, have taken on much more importance. Luckily, these are all attributes that we help our students develop throughout our program.
While I am a full time professor, I do a fair amount of consulting and just completed a two and a half year stint as the Chief Financial Officer of a struggling business. The last two years of that work were done entirely remotely. The technologies we have available today to stay connected, share data, communicate, and collaborate all exist and are phenomenal. Microsoft 365 including Teams (I prefer this over Zoom, Skype, etc.) has been a gamechanger for both industry and academia. I can't imagine how any of us would have gotten through the last eighteen months without these products. Our students are well versed in all these products and have been experiencing their use in most of their classes in some form or another in the last year. So, they will start their careers already experienced in how to use them.
Dr. Lilac Nachum Ph.D.
Professor, International BusinessBaruch College, City University New York
Allen G. Aaronson Department of Marketing & International Business
What experience really stands out on Finance Administrator resumes?
Dr. Lilac Nachum Ph.D.: Digital experience as well as entrepreneurial background, as it signals to potential employers the ability to capitalize on the new opportunities opening up digitally.
Janet Tarase
Lead Accounting Faculty / Accounting Department ChairRed Rocks Community College
Accounting Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Finance Administrator job market given the pandemic?
Janet Tarase: Even though over 7 million people are currently unemployed, employers still need individuals to maintain their operations. Human Resource departments are recruiting individuals through social media platforms. My daughter works in HR recruiting and they only use LinkedIn. Companies are using video or phone interviews to select candidates. Which means that potential candidates have to communicate effectively and make a good first impression quickly.
Employers will be looking for individuals that have proven communication, organizational and time management skills that are able to work independently since telecommuting will be continuing in the future. Applicants will also need to have technological and critical thinking skills to manage the challenges presented while working from home. Because of the pandemic and so many of us having to work from home, companies may broaden their recruiting geography to find the best candidates out of state or in different time zones. Finally, employees need to be flexible and resilient - you never know what the next job requirement will demand.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Finance Administrators to find work opportunities?
Dr. Anna Frank: This was on ZipRecruiter-outdoor jobs.
Try the Top Five
If location isn't a factor in your outdoor job search, then consider heading to one of the top five states who offer the most employment opportunities to be had under the sun (and stars). Those are:
1. California
2. Florida
3. Texas
4. New York
5. North Carolina
Patrick Scott Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of EconomicsLouisiana Tech University
Economics and Finance Department
What type of skills will young Finance Administrators need?
Patrick Scott Ph.D.: I think the importance of critical thinking and reasoning skills cannot be overstated enough. In this area, economics shines. Additionally, analytical and quantitative skills are more important than ever. Businesses continue to make the shift towards data-driven decision making. The ability to quickly analyze data and correctly assign an interpretation or meaning to that data is an important job market skill. With just a little bit of economic intuition, combined data science skills, business economics majors are uniquely positioned for success in the job market of tomorrow.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Finance Administrators to find work opportunities?
Patrick Scott Ph.D.: We have had success in placing our candidates from the College of Business at Louisiana Tech University in all portions of the country. Small towns, to large cities, to graduate programs, and beyond are all able to benefit from the skills learned by these majors.
How do you envision technology impacting Finance Administrators in the next 5 years?
Patrick Scott Ph.D.: I'm so glad you asked this question. COVID-19 has structurally changed the economy we knew. Technology will continue to drive these changes at a faster rate than we have seen in previous generations. While the cost of analyzing data and making fast business decisions will likely drop in the coming years, due to increased efficiency, the need to have someone interpret what the numbers mean to business leaders and policymakers will continue to remain strong. Business economics majors are poised to be able to capitalize on these opportunities for the foreseeable future.