Top 10 highest-paying finance jobs
Finance professionals come from many backgrounds, but the highest-paying roles usually require specialized skills and expertise. To get to that level, you may need to pursue degrees, professional certifications, continuing education courses, or all of the above.
Explore what the top-paying finance jobs entail and what their educational requirements look like.
The top 10 highest-paying finance jobs
There are more than 3,000,000 financial specialists employed across the country, making it one of the nation's largest employment groups. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), it's also one of the highest-paying sectors, with a median annual salary of $80,090 in 2023 — surpassing the median annual salary for all occupations by more than $32,000.
The finance field provides ample employment opportunities as well, with faster-than-average projected growth between 2023 and 2033 and entry pathways from many educational backgrounds. While the majority of finance-related positions require a bachelor's degree at minimum, some employers look for candidates with more advanced skills, training, and/or certifications.
In the table and sections below, you can explore the top-paying finance jobs based on the median annual wages reported by the BLS as of May 2023. The methodology for ranking considered all occupations in the financial specialist category, as defined by the BLS, along with financial managers.
Occupation | Median annual salary (2023) |
|---|---|
Financial managers | |
Financial risk specialists | |
Personal financial advisors | |
Financial and investment analysts | |
Budget analysts | |
Financial examiners | |
Accountants and auditors | |
Credit analysts | |
Financial specialists, all other | |
Insurance underwriters |
Financial managers
- Median annual salary (2023): $156,100
- Projected employment growth (2023–33): +17%
- Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in business, finance, economics, or a related field
- Helpful skills and experience: Advanced finance and leadership skills; CPA or CGFM certification
Financial risk specialists
- Median annual salary (2023): $106,090
- Projected employment growth (2023–33): +8.4%
- Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field
- Helpful skills and experience: Risk management, financial modeling, and market research skills; CFA certification
Personal financial advisors
- Median annual salary (2023): $99,580
- Projected employment growth (2023–33): +17%
- Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field, but some employers may require a master's degree
- Helpful skills and experience: Financial planning, analysis, and risk management skills; CFP certification
Financial and investment analysts
- Median annual salary (2023): $99,010
- Projected employment growth (2023–33): +9.5%
- Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field, but some employers may require a master's degree to advance
- Helpful skills and experience: Financial modeling and data analysis skills; CFA certification
Budget analysts
- Median annual salary (2023): $84,940
- Projected employment growth (2023–33): +4%
- Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in business, social science, math, psychology, or a related field
- Helpful skills and experience: Financial analysis, modeling, and forecasting; CGFM certification
Financial examiners
- Median annual salary (2023): $84,300
- Projected employment growth (2023–33): +21%
- Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field
- Helpful skills and experience: Financial and credit analysis skills; knowledge of lending laws; AFE or CFE certification
Accountants and auditors
- Median annual salary (2023): $79,880
- Projected employment growth (2023–33): +6%
- Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in business, accounting, or a related field, but some employers may require a master's degree
- Helpful skills and experience: Accounting fundamentals, financial reporting, and taxation; CPA certification
Credit analysts
- Median annual salary (2023): $79,420
- Projected employment growth (2023–33): -3.9%
- Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field
- Helpful skills and experience: Financial literacy, data analysis, and market research; CCFA or CCA certifications
Financial specialists, all other
- Median annual salary (2023): $78,310
- Projected employment growth (2023–33): +6.2%
- Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field, but some employers may require a master's degree
- Helpful skills and experience: Financial reporting, data analysis, and auditing; CPA or CFP certifications
Insurance underwriters
- Median annual salary (2023): $77,860
- Projected employment growth (2023–33): -4%
- Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in business or a related field, but some employers may accept applicants with less education
- Helpful skills and experience:Financial literacy and knowledge of insurance laws and policies; CLU or CPCU certifications
Financial managers oversee an organization's financial operations and monitor its financial health. They may supervise financial staff, manage budgets, ensure regulatory compliance, and make financial decisions. Close to one-third of financial managers work in the finance and insurance industry.
Most financial managers hold a business-related bachelor's degree at minimum, along with significant professional experience. Many of these leaders also possess industry certifications, such as the certified public accountant (CPA) designation or a specialized credential like the certified government financial manager (CGFM) from the Association of Government Accountants.
Financial risk specialists help organizations identify and understand financial threats and opportunities. They analyze markets and financial data to provide investment recommendations and portfolio advice. More than 30% of these professionals work in credit intermediation.
While financial risk specialists typically need a bachelor's degree to start, many employers recommend additional credentials, such as the chartered financial analyst (CFA) certification.
Personal financial advisors provide advice on investments, taxes, and financial planning. They help clients reach their financial goals by analyzing spending habits and suggesting changes and/or investment strategies. Most of these professionals are self-employed or work for finance and insurance companies.
Personal financial advisors typically need a bachelor's degree at minimum, but many advanced and senior positions require a master's degree and/or professional certification. A credential like the certified financial planner (CFP), for example, can help advisors stand out to clients and employers.
Financial and investment analysts review and advise organizations on their financial health and investments. They study market and historical data and provide economic forecasts based on their research. They often work in banks and insurance companies.
Most financial and investment analysts hold a bachelor's degree at minimum, but CFA certification and a master's degree can help them advance. With experience and credentials, they can move into portfolio and fund management positions.
Budget analysts help organizations with financial budgeting and planning. They analyze organizational and project goals and spending to help management develop a sustainable approach. Most of these professionals work in the government or educational services.
Budget analysts usually need a bachelor's degree at minimum, but employers often prefer candidates with master's degrees. For government analysts, a credential like the CGFM may help with advancement and employment opportunities.
Financial examiners monitor financial institutions and ensure they comply with lending laws and regulations. They review financial data and lending conditions to protect borrowers and improve and safeguard the financial system overall. Most examiners work in the finance industry in credit intermediation.
A business- or finance-related bachelor's degree is the typical entry requirement for financial examiners. Some employers may also require credentials like the accredited financial examiner (AFE) and certified financial examiner (CFE) from the Society of Financial Examiners.
Accountants and auditors handle the financial records of organizations and individuals, making sure they're accurate and organized and using them to monitor financial health. Depending on their role and industry, their work can help improve organizational managerial decisions, ensure compliance with government agencies, or assist individuals with tax matters.
Most accountants and auditors start with a bachelor's degree. However, some employers only hire candidates with a master's in accounting degree and/or a professional certification like the CPA.
Credit analysts review individuals' and organizations' financial health to determine their creditworthiness. This process requires financial statement analysis, market research, and risk management modeling. Most credit analysts work in banks, credit agencies, or insurance companies.
Most credit analyst roles require a bachelor's degree in a business-related discipline and professional accounting experience. Relevant certifications, such as the certified credit finance analyst (CCFA) or chartered credit analyst (CCA), can also help candidates.
The "financial specialists, all other" category from the BLS includes roles like financial quantitative analysts and fraud examiners. These specialized jobs feature analytical and investigative duties that help organizations identify unique financial opportunities and risks. Most of these professionals work in the government or financial institutions.
A bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level requirement for financial specialists. Depending on the role, however, some employers prefer candidates with an advanced degree, such as a master's of business administration in finance. Employers may also require credentials like the CPA or CFP.
Insurance underwriters review the financial data of insurance applicants to determine their coverage worthiness. Based on their criteria and analysis, underwriters make a coverage decision and submit applicant reports. The vast majority of these underwriters work directly for insurance companies.
To start, insurance writers typically need a business-related bachelor's degree, but some employers accept lower levels of education. Specialized underwriters can improve their qualifications with certifications like the chartered life underwriter (CLU) or chartered property and casualty underwriter (CPCU).
Start a rewarding career in finance
You can start a career in finance just about anywhere, but the top-paying finance jobs typically require a business- or finance-related bachelor's degree at minimum. If you want to advance through the ranks and pursue higher-level positions, you may consider bolstering your education, credentials, and skills.
You can do this in many ways, including pursuing a graduate degree, a professional certification, or some of the many business and finance-related programs through edX.