Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
5 years or more
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Financial managers oversee and guide the financial direction of organizations, using a blend of analytical, leadership, and communication skills. This is a sizable occupation, with 869,000 jobs nationwide, and a national median annual salary of $161,700. The role combines critical and analytical thinking with mathematics, project management, and strong problem solving and decision making. Because financial managers often coordinate with many types of stakeholders, interpersonal skills, speaking and listening, and clear writing and reading are also central to success. The projected employment growth rate of 14.8% and 75,000 annual openings suggest a steady flow of opportunities over the coming years. For people comfortable with computers and information technology and who can adapt to changing circumstances, financial management can offer both responsibility and long-term career potential. The typical entry point is a bachelor’s degree, supported by a broad skill set that spans quantitative analysis, leadership, and professional communication.
Financial managers earn a national median annual salary of $161,700, placing this career among the higher-paying management paths. Earnings vary meaningfully by location. Among the top states by CareerGPS opportunity score, median salaries range from $174,840 in Washington to $219,880 in New York. Massachusetts also stands out at $206,760, while California and Colorado show median salaries of $180,770 and $182,690, respectively. At the metro level, compensation can be even higher. The New York–Newark–Jersey City metro reports a median salary of $221,010, while San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara reaches $225,280 and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont posts $216,150. The Washington–Arlington–Alexandria and Boston–Cambridge–Newton metros also offer six-figure medians above $185,000. These figures indicate strong earning potential, especially for professionals able to compete in top metros and high-opportunity states.
Financial managers benefit from a solid national employment base of 869,000 positions, combined with a projected employment growth rate of 14.8%. This growth is paired with an estimated 75,000 annual openings, reflecting both new job creation and ongoing turnover in existing roles. Together, these numbers point to a career path with ongoing demand for qualified professionals across the country. The consistent 14.8% projected growth rate seen in top states and metros indicates that the expansion of opportunities is not limited to one region. For individuals building the key skills required in this field—such as leadership, mathematics, critical and analytical thinking, and effective communication—this outlook suggests room to enter, advance, or transition into financial management over time. Job seekers can expect a mix of replacement openings and new positions as organizations continue to require financial leadership and management expertise.
Location plays a significant role in both opportunity and pay for financial managers. Among states, California, Massachusetts, and New York have the highest CareerGPS opportunity scores, at 67.38, 65.87, and 65.78, respectively. New York offers the highest median salary of these three at $219,880, while Massachusetts stands at $206,760 and California at $180,770. California and New York also provide large employment bases, with 93,310 and 80,810 positions. Colorado and Washington round out the top five states, with moderate employment levels and median salaries around the mid-$170,000s to low-$180,000s. At the metro level, the San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara and New York–Newark–Jersey City areas have the highest opportunity scores, at 77.42 and 77.27, combined with very high median salaries above $221,000. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton also offer strong combinations of median pay, employment, and opportunity scores.
The typical education requirement for financial managers is a bachelor’s degree. This provides an entry point into roles that draw on a broad and demanding skill set. Quantitative strengths in mathematics support the analytical aspects of financial decisions, while critical and analytical thinking help professionals evaluate options and assess risks. Leadership and project management skills are important for guiding teams and overseeing financial initiatives. Because financial managers regularly interact with colleagues and stakeholders, speaking and listening skills, interpersonal abilities, and clear writing and reading are also central to effectiveness in the role. Comfort with computers and information technology supports work with financial systems and data, and adaptability helps professionals respond to changing priorities and conditions. Together, these skills complement the bachelor’s-level education to create a well-rounded profile for success in financial management careers.
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