If you're graduating, and launching or relaunching your career this year, you might be curious to know, what are the top paying finance jobs available for me to pursue? While the financial industry is traditionally associated with high wage earners, making it into the top three paying industries of 2024, there are 10 specific finance careers or jobs that hold significant salary potential and are showing promising signs of growth and industry demand.
You could decide to work within innovative fintech start-ups, in traditional accounting or investment banking firms, or within organizations that could use your expertise to drive their business strategies forward. Take a look at the below list to see if any of the roles pique your interest.
(Please note, salaries listed are taken from salary comparison and job search sites Glassdoor, Indeed, and Salary.com. Exact requirements for each role may vary depending on your location.)
1. Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Usually considered one of the two highest paying rules within the industry, Chief Financial Officers work at the executive or C-suite level, and are responsible for overseeing the financial activities of an organization, planning for and providing guidance on financial risk, and coordinating the finances with strategic business objectives.
Experience and Qualifications
- Advanced degree such as an MBA in finance, business, or related course of study
- Accountant certifications such as CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant)
- Significant leadership and/or consulting experience within corporate finance and analysis
MORE FROMFORBES ADVISOR
Average Salary Range
Between $330,800 and $560,200 per annum
2. Chief Compliance Officer (CCO)
Chief Compliance Officers also operate at the executive level, and are responsible for ensuring that the organization is compliant with applicable industry and state regulations, policies and laws. Having a background in finance is helpful to this role because you will need to ensure your company is adhering to financial regulations, especially if it is a publicly traded company, and your focus will be on protecting it from financial risk.
Experience and Qualifications
- Master's degree in relevant field such as MBA or MSA
- Solid eight to 10 years of senior-level experience in finance, accounting, or compliance
- Some certifications can also be helpful, such as CRCM (Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager) or CCEP (Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional)
Average Salary Range
Between $206,001 and $290,201 per annum
3. Investment Banker
In your role as an investment banker, you'll be providing strategic advice and financial services to business clients such as corporations and even governments, on critical matters such as mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, raising capital, and negotiating deals.
Experience and Qualifications
- Degree in accounting, finance, or economics—advanced degree such as MBA preferred
- Certification such as Chartered Investment Banking Professional (CIBP) is helpful
- Strong analytical and strategic decision-making skills
Average Salary Range
Between $56,759 and $479,332 per annum (depending on your level)
4. Financial Analyst
A financial analyst assesses financial data, as well as market and economic trends to provide insights and recommendations for their clients—who may be organizations or individuals—to make wise financial and investment decisions such as buying or selling stock. You also have the opportunity to advance your career, contingent on pursuing further education in the field, up to senior management and even Chief Investment Officer level.
Experience and Qualifications
- Postgraduate degree in finance, economics, statistics, or business preferred
- Prior experience as a junior analyst
- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) certification
Average Salary Range
Between $71,000 and $103,000 per annum
5. Portfolio Manager
If you work as a portfolio manager, you would be working at one of the most senior levels in the financial industry, overseeing investment portfolios and making strategic decisions to optimize them according to market conditions, so your client can achieve financial goals and maximize returns.
Experience and Qualifications
- Several years of investment analyst or similar experience
- MBA or Master's in Finance
- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) certification
Average Salary Range
Between $99,990 and $140,240 per annum
6. Tax Accountant
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 4% increase in demand for accountants up to the year 2032, which is as fast as average, so this is a perfect time to be an accountant because the industry does not appear to be slowing down. Tax accountants help individuals and businesses by preparing and reviewing financial records to ensure compliance with tax regulations.
Experience and Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, economics, or related field
- CPA (Certified Public Accountant) certification
- MBA is helpful
Average Salary Range
Between $49,965 and $108,940 per annum
7. Economist
If you opt for a career as an economist, your work would involve analyzing economic data and trends on a national and even global level, and providing these insights and reports to the media, governments, and organizations, to inform resource allocation and policy-making.
Experience and Qualifications
- Master's degree in economics or mathematics
- Sometimes a PhD is beneficial
- Strong analytical and data skills
Average Salary Range
Between $80,149 and $108,947 per annum
8. Insurance Advisor
An insurance advisor works with individual and business clients to recommend suitable insurance products, and advises on coverage options to help their clients make informed decisions and protect against financial risks.
Experience and Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED as minimum; bachelor's degree in relevant field helpful
- State-issued insurance licence
- Sales experience
Average Salary Range
Between $73,393 and $91,684 per annum
9. Management Analyst
Management analysts, also known as management consultants, provide recommendations to improve organizational efficiency with processes and procedures, and provide strategic advice, including financial advice, to ensure businesses achieve their goals. You would usually be hired by a management consulting firm to serve their business clients.
Experience and Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in business, management, economics, finance, or relevant field
- MBA preferred
- CMC (Certified Management Consultant) can be helpful
Average Salary Range
Between $73,393 and $91,684 per annum
10. Hedge Fund Manager
A list of high-paying finance jobs would be incomplete without a mention of hedge fund managers. Hedge fund managers work at the senior level of the finance industry, and oversee investment portfolios, use various strategies to generate returns, and manage risk for high net-worth organizations or individuals who are investors within hedge funds.
Experience and Qualifications
- Master's degree in finance, economics, or related field
- 10 years of previous financial experience, particularly in investments
- CHA (Chartered Hedge Fund Associate) can be beneficial
Average Salary Range
Between $123,771 and $153,016 per annum
Now that you know the diverse roles that are available to you, you have the chance to carve out your future, and help shape the global economy through acquiring the skills and ongoing expertise to make your finance career a success.
