Best cities for a finance leader
The best cities for finance leaders are Lexington, KY, Philadelphia, PA, and Indianapolis, IN, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for finance leaders vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for finance leaders in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a finance leader or considering a move, this list of the best cities for finance leaders to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for finance leaders. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a finance leader. While the absolute best city for finance leaders is Lexington, KY, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for finance leaders in 2024.
If you're looking for a finance leader job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for finance leaders in 2026
1. Lexington, KY
Finance leader jobs in LexingtonTotal finance leader jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $110,332 Lowest 10 percent warn: $72,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $168,000 Location quotient: 3.65 2. Philadelphia, PA
Finance leader jobs in PhiladelphiaTotal finance leader jobs: 16 Average annual salary: $121,582 Lowest 10 percent warn: $79,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $185,000 Location quotient: 2.50 3. Indianapolis, IN
Finance leader jobs in IndianapolisTotal finance leader jobs: 17 Average annual salary: $108,803 Lowest 10 percent warn: $71,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $166,000 Location quotient: 3.26 4. Pittsburgh, PA
Finance leader jobs in PittsburghTotal finance leader jobs: 11 Average annual salary: $117,695 Lowest 10 percent warn: $76,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $180,000 Location quotient: 2.75 5. New Orleans, LA
Finance leader jobs in New OrleansTotal finance leader jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $111,119 Lowest 10 percent warn: $72,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $169,000 Location quotient: 2.48 6. Detroit, MI
Finance leader jobs in DetroitTotal finance leader jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $116,112 Lowest 10 percent warn: $75,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $178,000 Location quotient: 2.15 7. Oklahoma City, OK
Finance leader jobs in Oklahoma CityTotal finance leader jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $108,237 Lowest 10 percent warn: $71,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $163,000 Location quotient: 2.96 8. Milwaukee, WI
Finance leader jobs in MilwaukeeTotal finance leader jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $110,973 Lowest 10 percent warn: $72,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $169,000 Location quotient: 1.92 9. Madison, WI
Finance leader jobs in MadisonTotal finance leader jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $109,908 Lowest 10 percent warn: $72,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $167,000 Location quotient: 2.08 10. Columbus, OH
Finance leader jobs in ColumbusTotal finance leader jobs: 14 Average annual salary: $106,401 Lowest 10 percent warn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $162,000 Location quotient: 2.38
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Best cities for finance leaders
- Lexington, KY
- Philadelphia, PA
- Indianapolis, IN
- Pittsburgh, PA
- New Orleans, LA
- Detroit, MI
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Milwaukee, WI
- Madison, WI
- Columbus, OH
Detailed list of the best cities for a finance leader
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington, KY | $110,332 | $72,000 | 318,449 | 3 |
| 2 | Philadelphia, PA | $121,582 | $79,000 | 1,567,872 | 16 |
| 3 | Indianapolis, IN | $108,803 | $71,000 | 855,164 | 17 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh, PA | $117,695 | $76,000 | 303,625 | 11 |
| 5 | New Orleans, LA | $111,119 | $72,000 | 391,495 | 3 |
| 6 | Detroit, MI | $116,112 | $75,000 | 672,795 | 6 |
| 7 | Oklahoma City, OK | $108,237 | $71,000 | 638,367 | 8 |
| 8 | Milwaukee, WI | $110,973 | $72,000 | 595,047 | 5 |
| 9 | Madison, WI | $109,908 | $72,000 | 252,551 | 5 |
| 10 | Columbus, OH | $106,401 | $69,000 | 860,090 | 14 |
| 11 | San Francisco, CA | $133,239 | $90,000 | 870,887 | 58 |
| 12 | Fort Wayne, IN | $112,760 | $73,000 | 264,488 | 1 |
| 13 | Gilbert, AZ | $110,264 | $73,000 | 237,133 | 1 |
| 14 | Sacramento, CA | $132,616 | $89,000 | 495,234 | 11 |
| 15 | Houston, TX | $111,006 | $72,000 | 2,303,482 | 22 |
| 16 | Seattle, WA | $124,669 | $84,000 | 704,352 | 19 |
| 17 | Boston, MA | $120,982 | $79,000 | 673,184 | 22 |
| 18 | Phoenix, AZ | $110,731 | $73,000 | 1,615,017 | 18 |
| 19 | Cincinnati, OH | $103,683 | $67,000 | 298,800 | 5 |
| 20 | Louisville, KY | $109,145 | $71,000 | 597,337 | 2 |
| 21 | Reno, NV | $121,245 | $81,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 22 | Winston-Salem, NC | $104,856 | $68,000 | 242,203 | 2 |
| 23 | Raleigh, NC | $106,019 | $69,000 | 458,880 | 8 |
| 24 | Cleveland, OH | $109,734 | $71,000 | 385,809 | 1 |
| 25 | Plano, TX | $109,039 | $71,000 | 286,057 | 7 |
| 26 | Austin, TX | $111,565 | $73,000 | 947,890 | 7 |
| 27 | San Antonio, TX | $110,661 | $72,000 | 1,492,510 | 3 |
| 28 | Las Vegas, NV | $117,822 | $78,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 29 | Portland, OR | $128,823 | $87,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 30 | North Las Vegas, NV | $117,710 | $78,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 31 | Henderson, NV | $117,351 | $78,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 32 | Nashville, TN | $97,073 | $63,000 | 660,388 | 12 |
| 33 | Scottsdale, AZ | $110,716 | $73,000 | 246,645 | 2 |
| 34 | Albuquerque, NM | $109,794 | $72,000 | 559,277 | 1 |
| 35 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $105,439 | $68,000 | 260,999 | 3 |
| 36 | Charlotte, NC | $103,755 | $68,000 | 842,051 | 23 |
| 37 | Chandler, AZ | $110,310 | $73,000 | 247,477 | 2 |
| 38 | Dallas, TX | $109,605 | $72,000 | 1,317,929 | 5 |
| 39 | Toledo, OH | $108,387 | $70,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 40 | Lubbock, TX | $111,468 | $73,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 41 | Fort Worth, TX | $109,899 | $72,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 42 | Irving, TX | $109,551 | $72,000 | 238,289 | 2 |
| 43 | Oakland, CA | $133,087 | $89,000 | 420,005 | 2 |
| 44 | Arlington, TX | $109,856 | $72,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 45 | Norfolk, VA | $110,004 | $72,000 | 245,115 | 3 |
| 46 | Tulsa, OK | $105,750 | $69,000 | 403,090 | 1 |
| 47 | New York, NY | $124,243 | $81,000 | 8,537,673 | 88 |
| 48 | El Paso, TX | $112,879 | $74,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 49 | Minneapolis, MN | $102,568 | $68,000 | 413,651 | 16 |
| 50 | Durham, NC | $105,974 | $69,000 | 263,016 | 3 |
Highest paying cities for finance leaders
| Rank | City | Avg. finance leader salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $133,239 |
| 2 | Albany, NY | $125,927 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $124,669 |
| 4 | Jersey City, NJ | $122,020 |
| 5 | Philadelphia, PA | $121,582 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $120,982 |
| 7 | Hartford, CT | $118,934 |
| 8 | Detroit, MI | $116,112 |
| 9 | Wilmington, DE | $115,914 |
| 10 | Washington, DC | $114,720 |
| 11 | Baltimore, MD | $112,391 |
| 12 | Austin, TX | $111,565 |
| 13 | Arlington, VA | $111,546 |
| 14 | Milwaukee, WI | $110,973 |
| 15 | Phoenix, AZ | $110,731 |
| 16 | Indianapolis, IN | $108,803 |
| 17 | Columbus, OH | $106,401 |
| 18 | Raleigh, NC | $106,019 |
| 19 | Jacksonville, FL | $105,171 |
| 20 | Atlanta, GA | $104,716 |
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Updated January 8, 2025