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Job outlook for senior directors of finance in the United States
Senior director of finance job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected senior director of finance job growth rate is 17% from 2018-2028.
About 123,100 new jobs for senior directors of finance are projected over the next decade.
Senior director of finance salaries have increased 10% for senior directors of finance in the last 5 years.
There are over 129,299 senior directors of finance currently employed in the United States.
There are 98,470 active senior director of finance job openings in the US.
The average senior director of finance salary is $137,505.
Are senior director of finance jobs in demand?
Senior director of finance job and salary trends over time
Senior director of finance jobs over time
Senior director of finance job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 129,299 | 0.04% |
| 2020 | 123,358 | 0.04% |
| 2019 | 123,836 | 0.04% |
| 2018 | 115,335 | 0.03% |
| 2017 | 109,216 | 0.03% |
Average senior director of finance salary over time
Senior director of finance salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $137,505 | $66.11 | +3.3% |
| 2025 | $133,109 | $63.99 | +1.5% |
| 2024 | $131,162 | $63.06 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $128,179 | $61.62 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $124,767 | $59.98 | +3.2% |
Senior director of finance jobs by state
Most common states for senior directors of finance
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 451 | 65% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,822 | 27% |
| 3 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 807 | 26% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 224 | 23% |
| 5 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 632 | 20% |
| 6 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 613 | 20% |
| 7 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,610 | 19% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,042 | 19% |
| 9 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 921 | 19% |
| 10 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 204 | 19% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,337 | 18% |
| 12 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 135 | 18% |
| 13 | Vermont | 623,657 | 110 | 18% |
| 14 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,152 | 17% |
| 15 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 599 | 17% |
| 16 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 99 | 17% |
| 17 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,444 | 16% |
| 18 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 971 | 16% |
| 19 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 921 | 16% |
| 20 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 209 | 16% |
Most common cities for senior directors of finance
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis | 2 | 5% | $131,920 |
| 2 | Hartford | 4 | 3% | $137,101 |
| 3 | Roanoke | 2 | 2% | $107,359 |
| 4 | San Mateo | 2 | 2% | $158,026 |
| 5 | Topeka | 2 | 2% | $110,951 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 7 | 1% | $135,252 |
| 7 | Boston | 5 | 1% | $115,392 |
| 8 | Montgomery | 2 | 1% | $114,917 |
| 9 | Tampa | 2 | 1% | $110,244 |
| 10 | Chicago | 6 | 0% | $121,921 |
| 11 | Indianapolis | 3 | 0% | $118,017 |
| 12 | Los Angeles | 3 | 0% | $154,160 |
| 13 | New York | 3 | 0% | $139,609 |
| 14 | Phoenix | 3 | 0% | $126,586 |
| 15 | San Francisco | 3 | 0% | $157,956 |
| 16 | Washington | 3 | 0% | $110,306 |
| 17 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $131,999 |
| 18 | Miami | 2 | 0% | $109,552 |
| 19 | San Diego | 2 | 0% | $152,355 |
Senior Director Of Finance job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior director of finance experts
Manhattan College
Fairfield University
Lynn University
University of Akron
University of Oregon
Stonehill College
King's College
American University
Albion College
Cedar Falls
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Lawrence Technological University
Pacific Lutheran University
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
William Paterson University of New Jersey
What general advice would you give to a Senior Director Of Finance?
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.
What Senior Director Of Finance skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
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.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Director Of Finance?
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.
What will help Senior Directors Of Finance increase their earning potential?
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.
What will help Senior Directors Of Finance increase their earning potential?
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.
What Senior Director Of Finance skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
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.
What Senior Director Of Finance skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Eric Brisker Ph.D.: Skills that are necessary for graduates to obtain to enjoy a successful career in the finance industry include data analytics and digital proficiency skills. Jobs in private equity, private credit, and other private financial markets are becoming the most competitive jobs to obtain in the finance industry. Developing a very deep knowledge of how these private markets work compared to public markets is essential for those interested in entering this realm.
Z. Jay Wang
Department Head, Associate Professor of FinanceUniversity of Oregon
Finance And Financial Management Services
What general advice would you give to a Senior Director Of Finance?
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.
What will help Senior Directors Of Finance increase their earning potential?
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.
What Senior Director Of Finance skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Z. Jay Wang: Big data analytical and quantitative skills have become increasingly important in the past decade. Moreover, AI will be a part of how you work. Understand and practice how this tool can help you solve simple tasks, and do research and assessment of data efficiently and strategically.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Director Of Finance?
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.
Peter Ibbott
Associate Professor of EconomicsKing's College
Economics
What will help Senior Directors Of Finance increase their earning potential?
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.
Octavian Ionici PhD
Sr. Lecturer in FinanceAmerican University
Finance And Financial Management Services
What general advice would you give to a Senior Director Of Finance?
Octavian Ionici PhD: The right education and training along with solid interpersonal skills should be at the top of their skill set. With those skills they can navigate potential disruptions to the workforce, future business trends and emerging technologies.
Hard core financial modeling skills are a must for finance, especially now with algorithmic business applications multiplying with the emergence of AI. Knowing how to develop a model that will answer multiple what-if scenarios for allocating resources, securing funding, managing risk, developing future plans, and making smart decisions overall.
Because AI, chatbots, blockchain and other "robots" will help companies simplify the workflows (preparing the reports and processes) faster, people will need to understand how to apply these technologies in order to analyze the results and to make decisions in real time.
People will also need to monitor the AI models and to constantly check for accuracy and biases. A big emphasis will be on collaboration of interdisciplinary teams of professionals working in IT, finance, accounting, HR and leadership. This means that companies will value employees that know how to find business information and deliver answers across functional areas proactively.
Finally, as they are working in a global interconnected world, they need to understand different cultures, regulations, and societal norms, so that they can respectfully communicate their ideas in cross-cultural situations. Along with the necessary technical skills, having an open mind and strong customer service focus will benefit them as the field continues to evolve.
What Senior Director Of Finance skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
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.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Director Of Finance?
Noah Alatza: As you begin your career, there are two areas that are critical to your success. First, it is essential that you commit to continuous learning. Strive to become knowledgeable on a wide variety of issues and developments in the financial sector, and set yourself apart by becoming an expert in a few key areas of interest. Secondly, actively build your professional network. Always take the opportunity to make new connections, and commit dedicated time each week to building and maintaining those relationships.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Director Of Finance?
Dr. Kimberly Gaither: Finance majors will also be valued for their analytical skills, but more and more soft skills will be valued into the future. Communicating your analysis in a manner consistent with your audience will make you a valued person in the field. Students who were forced to navigate learning along through COVID will need to be able to re-engage in person-to-person professional relationships, even when those meetings are remote. Clear writing is essential today and may not have been stressed in your curriculum. There are many opportunities to continuously upskill, take advantage of those courses.
What will help Senior Directors Of Finance increase their earning potential?
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.
Dr. Jon Hooks Ph.D., CFA, CFP®
Professor of Economics and ManagementAlbion College
Economics
What general advice would you give to a Senior Director Of Finance?
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.
Brett Olsen
Department Head and Professor of FinanceCedar Falls
Finance And Financial Management Services
What will help Senior Directors Of Finance increase their earning potential?
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.
Dr. Adam Stivers
Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Finance at the University of Wisconsin – La CrosseUniversity of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Finance And Financial Management Services
What Senior Director Of Finance skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Adam Stivers: Try different things to figure out what fits you best. It doesn't have to be moving between different firms, but trying different things and learning how things work in different departments within a firm is a valuable experience. Joining a firm that has a rotational program would be highly beneficial. Also, learn how to use R or another similar software. Become familiar with how to best use AI tools.
What will help Senior Directors Of Finance increase their earning potential?
Dr. Adam Stivers: AI prompt engineering will likely become increasingly vital in finance. However, while AI tools will likely be able to handle a lot of quantitative tasks in the financial services industry, professionals will still need to be able to interpret and explain its output to others. That means communication skills and other soft skills will be important, but you still need to understand the quantitative aspects.
Matthew Cole Ph.D.
Interim Dean, College of Business and Information TechnologyLawrence Technological University
Architecture And Related Services
What Senior Director Of Finance skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Matthew Cole Ph.D.: Maximizing Salary Potential: Specializing in high-demand areas like tax or forensic accounting, demonstrating strong technology skills, negotiating based on industry salary standards, and pursuing professional development and additional credentials will maximize salary potential.
What will help Senior Directors Of Finance increase their earning potential?
Matthew Cole Ph.D.: Specializing in high-demand areas like tax or forensic accounting, demonstrating strong technology skills, negotiating based on industry salary standards, and pursuing professional development and additional credentials will maximize salary potential.
Fang Lin
Assistant Professor of FinancePacific Lutheran University
Finance And Financial Management Services
What general advice would you give to a Senior Director Of Finance?
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.
What Senior Director Of Finance skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
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
Assistant Professor in Finance & Department Chair of Business AnalysisWhat will help Senior Directors Of Finance increase their earning potential?
Dhruba Banjade: To maximize salary potential when starting a career, individuals should focus on developing specialized skills, negotiating job offers, and staying informed about industry salary trends.
John Clark Ph.D., CFA, CFP
Chair, Dept. of FinanceUniversity of Nevada - Las Vegas
Geological And Earth Sciences/Geosciences
What general advice would you give to a Senior Director Of Finance?
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.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Senior Directors Of Finance, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Francis Cai Ph.D.: The latest data from the website Payscale.com indicates that graduates with finance majors generally have a higher starting salary than the average college graduate salary. There are many career advancement opportunities in finance, either on Wall Street or within finance and treasury departments at corporates.