Financial Managers
Financial managers create financial reports, direct investment activities, and develop plans for the long-term financial goals of their organization.
Is financial managers a good career?
It scores 62/100 and ranks #23 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays well above the U.S. median wage ($166,570 vs $61,390)
- Faster-than-average projected growth (+14.8% through 2034)
- High volume of openings — about 74,600 a year
Possible tradeoffs
- Typically requires a bachelor's degree
- Often needs prior experience (5 years or more)
What financial managers earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. financial managers earn between $125,490 and $219,980 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live financial managers jobs
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- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
- On-the-job training
- None
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow much faster than average through 2034.
Education
Financial managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree in business, economics, or a related field. These disciplines help students learn analytical skills and methods.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
Although it is not required, professional certification indicates competence for financial managers who have it. To earn certification, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, pass examinations, and have professional-level experience in government financial management. To keep the certification, financial managers must complete continuing professional education.
Certified public accountants (CPAs) are licensed by their state’s board of accountancy and must pass an exam.
Advancement
Experienced financial managers may advance to become chief financial officers (CFOs). These executives are responsible for the accuracy of an organization’s financial reporting.
Important qualities
Analytical skills. To assist executives in making decisions, financial managers need to evaluate data and information that affects their organization.
Communication skills. Financial managers must be able to explain and justify complex financial transactions.
Detail oriented. In preparing and analyzing reports, such as balance sheets and income statements, financial managers must be precise and attentive to their work in order to avoid errors.
Math skills. Financial managers need strong skills in certain branches of mathematics, including algebra. Ability to understand international finance and complex financial documents also is important.
Organizational skills. Because financial managers deal with a range of information and documents, they must have structures in place to be effective in their work.
Related occupations
How much do financial managers make?
The national median wage is $166,570 a year, with the middle half earning between $125,490 and $219,980 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is financial managers a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 62 of 100 and ranks #23 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +14.8% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a financial manager?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, usually with 5 years or more.
Where do financial managers earn the most?
Among states, New York pays the highest median ($219,880). Local pay for every state and metro is below.