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| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,915 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 3,670 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 3,666 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 3,058 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 2,937 | 0.00% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $71,206 | $34.23 | +2.6% |
| 2025 | $69,383 | $33.36 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | $68,245 | $32.81 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $67,162 | $32.29 | +3.1% |
| 2022 | $65,138 | $31.32 | +1.8% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 404 | 58% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,616 | 24% |
| 3 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 933 | 24% |
| 4 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 698 | 24% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 215 | 22% |
| 6 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 545 | 17% |
| 7 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 587 | 16% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,249 | 15% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 864 | 14% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 188 | 14% |
| 11 | Vermont | 623,657 | 85 | 14% |
| 12 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 612 | 13% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 138 | 13% |
| 14 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 98 | 13% |
| 15 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 856 | 12% |
| 16 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 698 | 12% |
| 17 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 374 | 12% |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,360 | 11% |
| 19 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 980 | 11% |
| 20 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 65 | 11% |
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Attleboro | 2 | 5% | $75,545 |
| 2 | Branford | 1 | 4% | $84,735 |
| 3 | Boca Raton | 2 | 2% | $53,609 |
| 4 | Atlanta | 5 | 1% | $56,361 |
| 5 | Grand Rapids | 2 | 1% | $61,233 |
| 6 | Irvine | 2 | 1% | $74,094 |
| 7 | Tampa | 2 | 1% | $54,015 |
| 8 | Centennial | 1 | 1% | $62,207 |
| 9 | Los Angeles | 6 | 0% | $75,354 |
| 10 | New York | 4 | 0% | $80,741 |
| 11 | Chicago | 3 | 0% | $62,767 |
| 12 | Dallas | 2 | 0% | $63,165 |
| 13 | Memphis | 2 | 0% | $53,172 |
| 14 | Miami | 2 | 0% | $53,754 |
| 15 | Albuquerque | 1 | 0% | $66,487 |
| 16 | Austin | 1 | 0% | $63,595 |
| 17 | Birmingham | 1 | 0% | $56,393 |
| 18 | Charlotte | 1 | 0% | $67,927 |
Manhattan College
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American University
Cedar Falls
Pacific Lutheran University
University of Nevada - Las Vegas

Virginia Tech
Arizona State University

Bay Path University
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.
Jeffrey Peshut J.D.: As you begin your career, focus on developing marketable knowledge and skills on your chosen career path. In real estate, two of the most marketable and valuable skills are financial analysis skills and market research analysis skills. Real estate brokerage firms, investment firms and development firms are always looking for skilled real estate financial analysts and skilled real estate research analysts.
Jeffrey Peshut J.D.: Once you've become proficient in financial analysis and research analysis, the next step is to develop knowledge and skills in managing real estate transactions, such as real estate lease transactions, real estate purchase and sale transactions and real estate loan transactions. This includes developing excellent verbal and written communication skills, marketing and sales skills and negotiation skills.
Jeffrey Peshut J.D.: There's an old saying, 'It's not what you know, but who you know.' I would modify that to say it's not just what you know – your knowledge and skills – but also who you know. Therefore, in addition to developing the knowledge and skills mentioned above, you need to develop a network of relationships that can provide guidance and support and introductions to people who can help you to advance along your career path and achieve your professional and financial goals.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cedar Falls
Finance And Financial Management Services
Brett Olsen: To succeed as a Finance Analyst, one needs to be interested in math, willing to solve problems, and driven by both. Those who dislike math or problem-solving may find the career challenging.
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.

Virginia Tech
Pamplin College of Business Blackwood Program in Real Estate
Jonathan Everett: While there is a multitude of skills Real Estate professionals need to acquire, personal experience and conversations with colleagues and industry professionals lead me to conclude one is critical; an adaptive, curious, resourceful mindset that can venture into the unknown. Real estate is evolving, like many industries, and being able to thrive in an ambiguous and changing environment is a critical skill employers will appreciate. So how does an individual demonstrate this skill on a resume? This could be accomplished by highlighting experiences that demonstrate this mindset. It could also include obtaining relevant educational or industry certifications that demonstrate an appetite for continual education or learning new skills. One of the beauties of real estate is you can often find a job that fits within your interests or skillset - there are opportunities in law, finance, property management, sales, appraising, planning, engineering, construction, and much more. However, rarely (arguably never) are you going to see two identical scenarios. Consequently, resourcefulness and a willingness to dive in and construct the puzzle are critical.
Jonathan Everett: I would venture to guess that many successful real estate professionals would say real estate is a people's business. In the classroom, we often discuss how one of a real estate developer's biggest responsibilities is assembling the right team. Most real estate professions require immense communication amongst a multitude of parties. You have to understand the motivations of each party, how to communicate with each party, and how to choreograph several moving parts, so every action is pushing towards an aligned outcome. This requires the ability to listen, articulate, negotiate, and adapt.
Jonathan Everett: I think regardless of the job role, having a proficient understanding of Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint is critical. Additionally, familiarity with job-specific software is a plus. From what I have seen, most facets of real estate have specific software packages or platforms they utilize, whether the function is for property management, financial modeling, etc.
As a former banker, I am likely biased but would argue financial acumen is important. Whether an individual primarily works with consumers or commercial clients, real estate professionals need to understand what matters to capital. On the commercial side, even though an individual may not be responsible for creating a pro forma or financial statements, many real estate jobs require at least a basic understanding of the mechanics and interpretation of a pro forma.
Sales experience or training is also a plus as most jobs in real estate either directly or indirectly involve sales.
Additionally, having an understanding of real estate law, contract law, appraising, management, construction, and land planning will also serve one well.
Lastly, we are in the age of data. Learning how to work with and make informed decisions utilizing data is a valuable skill set.
Jonathan Everett: While field and job role dependent, I think communication skills, education, experience, and strategic industry certifications will help individuals succeed monetarily and professionally. At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you can do and how you can add value. However, what you bring to the table is just as important as the ability to communicate what you bring to the table. It is important individuals understand how to communicate to employers or clients what they bring to the table. This process can also prove enlightening because it forces individuals to ask, "What value add do I bring?" This has the opportunity to expose strengths and also identify some potential areas where further learning or experience is necessary.
Arizona State University
School of Geographical Sciences & Urban Planning?
Ronald Dorn: I am biased. I think that most students will need to earn masters degrees to really move up in income. So a good job out of college is one that allows students to use their skills and also get the "lay of the land" in the greater job market. A GIS technician position, or a basic environmental scientist (physical geographer who uses drone and mapping technology), or someone working in real estate -- such entry positions will not pay what students want to earn. But these opening jobs will give students a chance to see their potential, to recognize that they think differently, and to target a masters program to really jump start a higher income career. For example, our Arizona State University school has two masters programs with great track records: our Masters of Advanced Study in GIS (MAS-GIS) and our Masters of Urban and Environmental Planning (MUEP). They sound specialized, but they are designed to accept general geography majors with the skills and knowledge I explain above -- and provide career-ready training and links to great jobs.

Bay Path University
Accounting
Heather Antanavica: The coronavirus will have a lasting impact on all of humanity, and everyone's jobs will be affected in one way or another. New graduates will have to navigate the working world in a very different way, for example; virtual interviewing, increased competition (many people will be re-entering the workforce after being laid-off during the spring of 2020), and being flexible with businesses that are adapting to a new way of operating. If you are not tech-savvy, work on that now. Companies will be looking for prospects with tech skills in industries where it wasn't much of a factor before the pandemic hit. Most importantly, develop a self-care routine that speaks to you. Meditation, yoga, exercise, grounding practices, and a healthy diet are great options for tending to your well-being so that you can get out there and start your new career with a healthy mind, body, and spirit!