Build your finance career: Explore top jobs, salaries, and paths to success
Finance is a fast-growing, high-paying profession. Learn how to qualify for a job in finance and advance your career.
Why pursue a finance career: Benefits, growth, and opportunities
The finance sector is hot, and the best finance careers report six-figure median salaries and strong demand. But how can you land corporate finance jobs or take the next step in your finance career?
Our finance career guide explores salary data, job growth projections, and potential career paths to help you understand how to build a finance career.
| Career track | Median annual salary |
|---|---|
| Financial analyst | $101,910 |
| Personal financial advisor | $102,140 |
| Accountant/Auditor | $81,680 |
| Financial manager | $161,700 |
| Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents | $78,140 |
Explore finance career paths: Entry-level to executive
For career starters
Are you wondering how to become a financial analyst or how to break into another finance role? Here are some career tips for those new to the field.
- Take an online finance course. Explore finance and build foundational skills by choosing a finance course for beginners. You can also enroll in a professional certificate program to expand your finance skills.
- Earn a bachelor's degree in finance. Most finance careers require a bachelor's degree. Majoring in finance is the best way to gain specialized financial modeling, forecasting, and risk management skills. If you have a busy schedule, you can earn your finance degree online.
- Pursue experiential learning opportunities. Hands-on experience is one of the best ways to put your finance skills into practice and land a job in finance. Consider pursuing an internship.
For career starters
Are you wondering how to become a financial analyst or how to break into another finance role? Here are some career tips for those new to the field.
- Take an online finance course. Explore finance and build foundational skills by choosing a finance course for beginners. You can also enroll in a professional certificate program to expand your finance skills.
- Earn a bachelor's degree in finance. Most finance careers require a bachelor's degree. Majoring in finance is the best way to gain specialized financial modeling, forecasting, and risk management skills. If you have a busy schedule, you can earn your finance degree online.
- Pursue experiential learning opportunities. Hands-on experience is one of the best ways to put your finance skills into practice and land a job in finance. Consider pursuing an internship.
Programs that can prepare you for finance careers
Must-have skills and certifications for finance professionals
Essential skillsets
- Financial analysis: Careers in finance require exceptional analytical skills, particularly in financial analysis.
- Forecasting: Finance professionals must have strong financial modeling and forecasting skills.
- Risk management: Evaluating risk tolerance and mitigating financial risk are core competencies for finance careers.
Educational requirements
- Bachelor's degree: Most finance career paths require applicants to have a bachelor's degree at a minimum.
- Finance courses: Professionals can also enter the field by taking specialized finance courses.
- Master's degree: A graduate degree can help finance professionals advance into management roles.
Licenses/Certifications: Do I need one?
Many finance careers do not require a license. However, professionals who sell securities must have a license from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
Professional certifications are voluntary. Some in-demand finance certifications include Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) credentials.
Top finance jobs: Salaries, outlook, and how to qualify
Careers in finance typically pay higher-than-average salaries and offer job stability. Learn more about in-demand finance jobs below, with salary and job outlook data from the BLS.
Financial analyst
Financial analysts recommend strategies to boost profits through investments and financial management. Using financial data, they forecast and evaluate economic trends. Financial analysts report on investment performance and manage portfolios.
- Median annual salary (2024): $101,910
- Projected employment growth (2024-34): +6%
- Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
Financial analyst
Financial analysts recommend strategies to boost profits through investments and financial management. Using financial data, they forecast and evaluate economic trends. Financial analysts report on investment performance and manage portfolios.
- Median annual salary (2024): $101,910
- Projected employment growth (2024-34): +6%
- Typical educational requirements: Bachelor's degree
Finance career progression: From analyst to executive
Many finance professionals start their careers in entry-level roles such as financial analyst. Within that broad umbrella, professionals can work in many areas and become:
- Investment analysts evaluate investment vehicles and specialize in areas such as business valuation.
- Financial risk analysts assess the risk of investment strategies to minimize loss and the harm unpredictability can cause.
- Ratings analysts rate borrowers based on their ability to repay their debts to help managers determine the risk of offering of loans.
- Securities analysts identify trends in securities markets to recommend assets to their clients.
How do finance professionals advance? The finance sector offers multiple routes to career advancement. With experience, financial analysts can move into roles such as senior financial analyst. Career paths as an actuary or personal financial advisor typically require pursuing certification. Earning a graduate degree can also unlock new finance career paths.
Financial managers report the highest salaries in the sector. These roles typically require a mix of experience and education. A master's in finance or an MBA in finance can help professionals take on management responsibilities as financial risk managers, insurance managers, or financial controllers.
At the C-suite level, finance professionals hold titles such as chief financial officer (CFO) and chief investment officer (CIO). These career paths require extensive experience in the field.
Early career roles
1-4 years
- Financial analyst
- Financial examiner
- Budget analyst
- Accountant or auditor
Mid-career roles
5-10 years
- Portfolio manager
- Personal financial advisor
- Actuary
- Senior financial analyst
Late career roles
11-15 years
- Financial manager
- Financial controller
- Financial risk manager
- Insurance manager
C-suite
(15+ years)
- Chief investment officer
- Chief financial officer
- Vice president of finance
- Chief compliance officer
Highest-paying industries for finance careers
| Industry | Annual median wage (May 2024) |
|---|---|
| Securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and related activities | $124,050 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | $100,960 |
| Credit intermediation and related activities | $99,990 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | $99,760 |
| Insurance carriers and related activities | $93,030 |
Finance salaries by state: See where your state ranks
Take the next step in your finance career
Investing in a finance career can pay off. If you're ready to take the next step, explore edX resources for those new to finance and career changers moving into the finance sector. edX also offers courses and programs for experienced financial professionals who want to advance their finance careers.