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Finance professional job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected finance professional job growth rate is 15% from 2018-2028.
About 50,900 new jobs for finance professionals are projected over the next decade.
Finance professional salaries have increased -1% for finance professionals in the last 5 years.
There are over 135,252 finance professionals currently employed in the United States.
There are 124,570 active finance professional job openings in the US.
The average finance professional salary is $55,551.
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 135,252 | 0.04% |
| 2020 | 119,226 | 0.04% |
| 2019 | 116,034 | 0.03% |
| 2018 | 110,445 | 0.03% |
| 2017 | 108,537 | 0.03% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $55,551 | $26.71 | +1.7% |
| 2025 | $54,631 | $26.26 | --1.2% |
| 2024 | $55,278 | $26.58 | --1.9% |
| 2023 | $56,366 | $27.10 | +0.1% |
| 2022 | $56,298 | $27.07 | +1.5% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 586 | 56% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 368 | 53% |
| 3 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 1,315 | 44% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 341 | 35% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 268 | 35% |
| 6 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 970 | 33% |
| 7 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,735 | 31% |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,067 | 30% |
| 9 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 1,143 | 29% |
| 10 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 148 | 26% |
| 11 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 742 | 24% |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 247 | 23% |
| 13 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,271 | 22% |
| 14 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,750 | 21% |
| 15 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,242 | 21% |
| 16 | Vermont | 623,657 | 130 | 21% |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,542 | 20% |
| 18 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,149 | 20% |
| 19 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 272 | 20% |
| 20 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 171 | 20% |
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Queensbury | 9 | 32% | $96,260 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 11 | 28% | $54,778 |
| 3 | Greenville | 9 | 13% | $55,345 |
| 4 | Pasadena | 10 | 7% | $55,736 |
| 5 | Fort Lauderdale | 11 | 6% | $57,887 |
| 6 | Frisco | 10 | 6% | $52,870 |
| 7 | Alexandria | 9 | 6% | $76,275 |
| 8 | Cincinnati | 14 | 5% | $57,405 |
| 9 | Winston-Salem | 11 | 5% | $61,100 |
| 10 | Rochester | 10 | 5% | $97,385 |
| 11 | Boston | 12 | 2% | $82,554 |
| 12 | Baltimore | 10 | 2% | $54,722 |
| 13 | Atlanta | 9 | 2% | $59,031 |
| 14 | San Jose | 11 | 1% | $58,006 |
| 15 | Dallas | 10 | 1% | $53,584 |
| 16 | New York | 16 | 0% | $103,528 |
Manhattan College
Fairfield University
Siena College
Lynn University
University of Oregon
Stonehill College
King's College
American University
Albion College
Southwestern College
Southwestern College
Pacific Lutheran University
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Lincoln University
Keith Kerr Prof.: There are two basic ways that most people in the US find financial success: Either find a job that pays a high salary, or find a career that you love, regardless of the salary, and make a habit of saving and investing part of your income each month starting with your first paycheck.
If you invest only $90 a month starting at 21 and ending at retirement, you would have a bit over 1 million dollars (assuming a 10% annual gain). Wait just 5 years and start doing this at 26 and your 5 years of time will have cost you $400,000 by retirement. This is the power of compounding. Start early and even with a lower salary, you still can find financial success while pursuing careers that are meaningful to you.
Keith Kerr Prof.: Grant writing is perhaps the most important skill for sociology majors to acquire. Not all sociology programs offer such skills (luckily my department at Quinnipiac does), but all sociology programs offer courses in research methodology. These skills are all skills that are needed to successfully write grants.
More so, with the research skills and practice in grant writing, one is in a position to approach potential employers as a hire that will more than pay for itself in the grant money that the potential employee can bring into the organization.
Dr. Natalia Boliari PhD: First, learn everything about the company you just started working for - its historical path, management, the way it's dealt with crises, etc. Second, learn everything about the specific industry the company belongs to and see how the company has developed relative to the development of the industry domestically and internationally. Third, always be extremely alert to notice new opportunities and be prepared to take calculated risks. That is, actively look for opportunities to complete as many and diverse tasks as possible, and volunteer to complete any type of work regardless of whether it seems relevant to your assigned job or not. Opportunities to learn, grow, and improve and thus to maximize your income, will only come up if you are exposed to diverse situations.
Dr. Natalia Boliari PhD: Be open minded. Finance is the broad definition of an industry which provides opportunities for careers in financial consultancy, financial analysis, stock brokerage, foreign investment, modeling, exchange rate forecasts, and many more. While most of those careers are attributed to the banking industry, you can find those and others in other sectors of the economy, such as insurance, technology, health care/medical, government, and so on. So, be open and look beyond the banking sector, examine the current and predicted trends in the economy to hunt for exciting career options.
John McDermott Ph.D.: To maximize your salary potential, keep learning, investing in your human capital, and expanding your capabilities. Learn as much as you can about your new position and industry, work with a variety of people at your firm, and seek opportunities outside your comfort zone. Your salary potential will increase as you are recognized as a capable and hard working colleague.
John McDermott Ph.D.: I believe communication, technical, and interpersonal skills will always be important to young graduates in finance. Over the next few years, being able to harness the power of new technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Large-Language Models will become increasingly important.
Siena College
Finance And Financial Management Services
Feng Dong: Finance analysts often appreciate the clear career growth and opportunities in the field. There are well-defined paths for advancing to senior roles like Finance Manager, Director of Finance, or CFO. You can work in different industries and specialize in specific areas, which opens up a wide range of career options. You get to shape your career based on your interests and strengths. Plus, the pay is quite competitive. Finance analysts usually receive high salaries, benefits, and performance-based bonuses. Also, finance analysts are getting to work with advanced financial software, data analytics tools, and cutting-edge technologies like AI and machine learning. It keeps the work interesting and innovative. However, the pressure can be intense, with tight deadlines and the huge impact financial decisions can have on a company's performance. It can be especially tough for newcomers. And the long hours are a common complaint. During critical financial reporting periods, work-life balance can take a hit with extra hours, including evenings and weekends. Some roles and industries are particularly demanding during budgeting and auditing seasons. On top of that, technical issues with financial software and tools can be a major headache. And with technology constantly evolving, you need to keep up and keep learning, which can be demanding.
David Spohn DBA, MBA, MJUR, CWM®: Likes:
- Intellectual Stimulation: Many finance analysts enjoy the challenge of solving complex financial puzzles and deriving insights from data. The role often requires staying updated with the latest economic trends and financial theories, providing continuous learning opportunities.
- Impact on Decision-making: Analysts often take pride in the fact that their work directly influences strategic business decisions. This can be highly rewarding, especially when their recommendations lead to successful outcomes.
- Career Opportunities: The field offers numerous pathways for career advancement. Analysts can ascend to roles in senior management, specialize in particular sectors such as fintech or healthcare, or move into investment roles.
Dislikes:
- High Pressure: The role can be highly stressful, with tight deadlines and significant implications tied to their analyses and recommendations. Financial markets are dynamic, and the pressure to provide accurate, timely insights can be intense.
- Monotony in Initial Stages: New entrants might find the work initially repetitive as they learn the ropes of data collection and basic analysis techniques. The intellectual rewards and more engaging tasks often come with increased responsibility.
- Work-Life Balance: Depending on the employer and the state of the market, long hours can be common, especially during financial reporting periods or significant market changes, which can impact work-life balance.
Clemens Kownatzki PhD, MBA: To be successful today requires essentially the same basic skills and behaviors that made people successful in the past. It’s a lot about who you know, not what you know. Having some basic skills is a necessary condition but it’s not sufficient. You have to be a good communicator, have to be likeable and be a good team player. And to do those things, you need to be around people enough, develop the most important social skills and remember the important things you learned in kindergarten. Show up on time, do what you say and not say what you do and be nice to people. Essentially the golden rule: “Do unto others…” But there are also some important practical things you should do. Think about getting a CFA license or others like CAIA, CMA, CPA, FRM etc. These professional designations won’t hurt you, they can be a requirement in some jobs or at least a differentiator as you apply for jobs. You can also take the Securities Industry Examination as a precondition to getting the more recognized Series 7, 63, 65 etc. But also consider some very easy things like getting certified with the Bloomberg Market Concepts. If your business school has a Bloomberg terminal (we’re lucky because we have 4 terminals), it’s a self-paced exam that’s free on the Bloomberg terminal. Also think about joining some associations to help with getting to know people in positions. You have to network every day and keep on working that network constantly. Lastly, don’t be afraid to negotiate. Yes, it is a competitive industry and there’s always more than just a handful applying for a position but you should know your worth. While you’re networking and having conversations with executives through your network, find out what reasonable expectations should be for the work being delivered.
Clemens Kownatzki PhD, MBA: As a beginner in any field, it pays to listen more than to talk. Be humble, pay attention, be nice to folks and probably most helpful is having a mentor who can guide you along and show you some best practices for navigating your career. You should take advantage of your education, not just to show a piece of paper that says you graduated but think of every single project, essay or paper that you write as part of a portfolio that demonstrates your skill sets. Especially in finance where we can sometimes be enamored with the beauty of a mathematical model, think about how any model should be applied in the real world. In some cases that might mean that you have to “get your hands on the wheel and learn how to drive.” I am not suggesting that you should put all your savings at risk and buy the next iteration of the latest cryptocurrency, but If you’re interested in a career in investing, put a small amount of money at risk and trade a stock, or if you must trade a few dollars’ worth of Bitcoin or Ether – as much as you would risk for a movie ticket seems reasonable. There are lots of virtual trading apps where you can trade with paper money, but there’s nothing like understanding risk when your own dollars are at stake, even if it’s just a few dollars. You should also absorb all the workshops, seminars and resources available out there. Follow Prof. Aswath Damodaran who has a YouTube Channel and hundreds of spreadsheets with financial models, all for free! Also follow some good content providers on various channels to get additional insights – in the field of finance, you need to be up-to-date on all events because those influence markets and the economy. Be ready to continue learning and update your skills and understanding while you’re working. Education doesn’t end after you finish your degree. All successful people are life-long learners.
Keith Kerr Prof.: There are two approaches to maximizing your salary potential, but only one approach that is completely under our control. While we can learn the best ways to approach employers to advocate for raises and promotions, the outcome of this is dependent on many external factors. What you can control, however, is how you manage the money that you do make. Taking the time to make a detailed budget of your income, expenses and debts allows one to find ways to control their spending, thus generating extra cash for saving and investing each month.
Keith Kerr Prof.: Grant writing is perhaps the most important skill for sociology majors to acquire. Not all sociology programs offer such skills (luckily my department at Quinnipiac does), but all sociology programs offer courses in research methodology. These skills are all skills that are needed to successfully write grants.
More so, with the research skills and practice in grant writing, one is in a position to approach potential employers as a hire that will more than pay for itself in the grant money that the potential employee can bring into the organization.
Keith Kerr Prof.: There are two basic ways that most people in the US find financial success: Either find a job that pays a high salary, or find a career that you love, regardless of the salary, and make a habit of saving and investing part of your income each month starting with your first paycheck.
If you invest only $90 a month starting at 21 and ending at retirement, you would have a bit over 1 million dollars (assuming a 10% annual gain). Wait just 5 years and start doing this at 26 and your 5 years of time will have cost you $400,000 by retirement. This is the power of compounding. Start early and even with a lower salary, you still can find financial success while pursuing careers that are meaningful to you.
Timothy Egan M.S. Marketing: -Understanding finance and how it impacts the operations of where you work, can help you have great insight into new opportunities or see the writing on the wall in tough times. -Don't be afraid to learn new technologies, especially ones that collect data. Enhance your tech-based skills as that will increase your value to the organization where you work and the business community at large. -Learn Spanish. While globalization may have you think about learning an Asian language, the Spanish speaking market is the faster growing in the US and has been since 2010.
Timothy Egan M.S. Marketing: -Under promise and over deliver. -Know your value, self-assess your skills, your knowledge and your role. Understand when and when not a company can give increases. -Build an internal support system. Make sure you have people who will go to bat for you when you want to move up internally. -After succeeding don't be afraid to ask for an increase. -And remember, stay humble. The minute you think you know everything; you haven't learned anything.
University of Oregon
Finance And Financial Management Services
Z. Jay Wang: Students who have a history of doing work in the field outside the classroom either through internships, industry projects, or school-sponsored clubs managing financial decisions are better poised to maximize starting salary potential. Starting early to secure internships with top companies will also position students well for higher earning potential. Most top banks and firms will post internships from April/May to August, and close by the end of September for the following summer. They are also rolling, so may fill the roles by as early as June of the sophomore year for the following summer after junior year. Finally, networking with industry and alumni professionals in the companies, firms, banks prior to applying for an internship or full-time position will have an impact. The candidate will learn more about the opportunity and company culture for their resume and potential interview, and most top companies in finance will have a referral program. If the candidate impresses the internal connection with excellent questions and strategic answers, they may get a referral that moves them up in the stacks of applicants.
Z. Jay Wang: As you onboard into your first roles in finance, a great work ethic and strong technical skills are obviously important for your long-term success. Moreover, your human skills will be as important as your technical skill. Ensure you practice and develop your communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and project management skills. In terms of technical skills attention to detail, use of data analytics tools, and visualization will be very valuable. Another often overlooked skill is written communication. Many students fail to realize the importance of effective communications.
Dr. Wayne Durr: In the next 3-5 years, I anticipate the continuous evolvement of Finance and soft skills.
Financial technology is rapidly changing, and current CEOs, CFOs, and other leadership levels
assume that new college graduates are all tech-savvy. This doesn't mean a minor in computer
science, this means the current leadership isn't going back to school to learn new technological
advances in the world of Finance, and, frankly, may still be afraid of new technology. New
graduates have spent the majority of their lives embracing new technology and are more
advanced than they realize. Continue to explore the new technologies being created in the
world of Finance, even if your current role doesn't use it. One day, there may be a meeting
where leadership asks, "Has anyone ever heard of this technology?" Be that person that can
say "yes." It doesn't mean you're an expert, but being familiar with that technology will go a long
way.
Soft skills, like time management, working independently, and problem-solving, will become
even more important. We have a job market that has been doing well but can change quickly.
Employers will be looking to do more with less. Those employees who can work independently
on multiple tasks without constant oversight will be more valuable in the future. The ability to
problem-solve without the need for guidance will also be valuable and secure your future in that
organization. The industry loves maximizing the work they can get from salaried employees, so
time management is very important to the business world and to ensure the worklife balance.
Dr. Wayne Durr: Maximizing your salary potential starts with understanding your value. What skills and
capabilities can you articulate to a prospective employer? The ability to articulate these skills
and what you bring to that company can be challenging. Think of your resume like an artist
thinks of their portfolio. What projects or analysis have you worked on? You cannot articulate
the value you will bring to that prospective company without the ability to articulate your skills
and capabilities. Do your research to determine what other employers pay people with the
same abilities. Ask employers what the salary range is and use that as your baseline. As you
get close to graduating, your classmates talk about the job offers they receive and most likely
share the salaries they are being offered. Listen and use this as a baseline. All this gives you
an idea of your value. Your first job isn't always the place where you'll be able to maximize your
earning potential. Think of your first job as where you will get the work experience to maximize
your future earning potential. Look at this as the place where you will sharpen your skills and
develop new ones. This first job will be where you fill out your resume and either have an
opportunity to maximize your earning potential there or elsewhere in the future.
Additionally, think about passive income and the "side gig". If you don't feel like you're
maximizing your earning potential at that first job, think about how you can make money on the
side. I believe we now live in a society where truly maximizing your earning potential comes
from more than your current employer. The ability to earn money from a side gig is more
prevalent than ever before. I think every student should take an entrepreneur class. Think
about your skills, which one could make you some side money. Don't dismiss jobs you did
growing up, like delivery service, landscaping, etc. There are so many apps and websites that
people and companies are looking for anything from an hour to a couple of days worth of work.
Take that first six months on the job to get settled in, and then start thinking about that side gig.
King's College
Economics
Peter Ibbott: If you are considering a career in economics or finance, it is best to get an MA in Economics or a Masters in Financial Economics. If you are considering a career in Business or Finance, it is best to develop your experience through work, while seeking additional educational opportunities throughout your career. Many find that accumulating micro-credentials can be useful. A more valuable path is to work towards obtaining a Chartered Financial Analyst designation. For strong students, taking a break later in your career to pursue an MBA or Masters of Finance can be useful in advancing your mid-career prospects.
American University
Finance And Financial Management Services
Octavian Ionici PhD: The finance profession is lucrative, rewarding and very competitive. Graduates should do their research about the organization they are interviewing with and be able to discuss how their skills can contribute to the business. They should also know if they would rather interact with people and clients or if they are drawn to intellectual pursuits such as analysis. Do they value power, prestige status, risk, or something else? Ultimately our core values, personal goals, interests, aptitudes, and personality will shape our career paths.
Being able to articulate what sparked their interest in the financial field and why they are interested in a chosen role will be an advantage during the hiring process. While still in college, students should join a professional association like the Financial Management Association to give them more access to that broad network, as well as access to career development resources that can set them apart from the crowd.
It's also critical to get an internship (paid or unpaid) in order to show some real-life experience. They can do this while they are still in college, during the summers, or even afterwards, to get a foot in the door.
Reading the WSJ and FT daily, and listening to Bloomberg, or other financial programs as a regular practice will help them to have fluency in the language of our profession. Because the finance sector is heavily regulated and changes occur due to changing economic and political conditions, they will need to stay updated with those changes. Financial media sources will help bring them that context to stay up to date on all of these moving parts.
Octavian Ionici PhD: Try to understand what your boss or your company needs, then see if you can fill that gap with your skill set and work ethic. Finance constantly evolves. A career with lifelong learning will help keep you employable. Investing in continuous learning and skill development can increase your income potential down the road.
Plus, don't underestimate the power of a positive attitude and strong work ethic. You may not be an expert at the beginning, but you can take on every challenge given to you, work hard and try to turn it into a success for your organization. Each win will build your reputation and your portfolio of skills which you will then bring with you to your next job. As you do this, you will inevitably acquire specialized skills.
Dr. Kimberly Gaither: Maximize your salary potential by asking questions and learning as quickly as possible. Be a good communicator with those above and below you as well as your peers. Be dependable. Persons who show up early and work hard will be valued and rewarded.
Albion College
Economics
Dr. Jon Hooks Ph.D., CFA, CFP®: Do not underestimate the importance of your GPA. Work hard in every class to get a 4.0. An increasing number of employers are requesting students with at least a 3.7 or 3.8 GPA. Also, set yourself apart. Add some skill that distinguishes you from the huge number of other finance graduates.
Southwestern College
Finance And Financial Management Services
Kevin Alston MBA: Ensure that you are marketable and are considered a commodity. What that means is the firm that you are interested in joining should consider your skills and knowledge an invaluable commodity. One who stands head and shoulders above the competition.
Southwestern College
Finance And Financial Management Services
Kevin Alston MBA: Ensure that you are marketable and are considered a commodity. What that means is the firm that you are interested in joining should consider your skills and knowledge an invaluable commodity. One who stands head and shoulders above the competition.
Kevin Alston MBA: Crypto Currency and AI. These two are the most impactful variables associated with the Financial Industry.
Kevin Alston MBA: Acquire any many Industry Certifications as possible. Attend seminars and workshops to stay current within our industry.
Pacific Lutheran University
Finance And Financial Management Services
Fang Lin: Proficiency in coding and statistical modeling is essential. At a minimum, individuals should be able to understand basic financial models. Ideally, they should be able to code or at least interpret code in languages such as Python and R. Additionally, soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking will continue to be invaluable.
Fang Lin: Don't be afraid to negotiate your starting salary. Young journalists have a lot to offer newsrooms through social media skills and a willingness to adapt to new technologies such as artificial intelligence. Technology skills have value and should not be undersold. Also, young journalism students should not discount the value of their student media and internship experiences. Young journalists must use everything on their resumes to show how they bring value to their position and ask to be compensated fairly for the work they will contribute to the newsroom's success.
Dhruba Banjade: i. The industry technology is changing fast. Specific skills will be more critical in the finance field in the next 3-5 years. Some of these are:
ii. Data analysis/ data mining skills. Knowledge of Excel, R, Python, data visualization, Tableau, RapidMiner, machine learning, and financial modeling skills are essential in finance and business.
iii. Skills and knowledge of artificial intelligence and machine learning will give more opportunities and help career development.
iv. Network security and cybersecurity are essential to protect financial transactions and digital data.
v. Knowledge of financial regulations and risk management will be in high demand in the next 3-5 years.
vi. Soft skills such as politeness, ability to work in a diverse group, good communication, learning attitude, etc, are also necessary.
vii. Many industry and business companies today focus on sustainable development and environmental, social, and governance activities. Knowledge of sustainability and ESG measures is also helpful.
viii. Broad knowledge of global financial markets, international finance, global economy, etc., will be valuable in the next 3-5 years.
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Geological And Earth Sciences/Geosciences
John Clark Ph.D., CFA, CFP: Show you have experience. Doing an internship is a great way to increase your starting salary. I always advocate for doing applied research, this is research that you can show has implications for society - science for the sake of science is not good science! Obtaining an MS degree is also a good way to increase your salary, especially if your MS degree is relevant to your future job.
Dr. Mikhail Brodsky Ph.D.: Of course, everybody and everything are negatively influenced by COVID. Quality of education and employment options are down.
Dr. Mikhail Brodsky Ph.D.: There is no general answer to this question. We are all different. A good job is the one that a person enjoys.
Dr. Mikhail Brodsky Ph.D.: We teach managers. They need to be experts in the field of work additionally to managerial skills and knowledge.