10 Best-Paying Jobs in Finance

A career in finance can be a lucrative choice, and many entry-level jobs in finance require only a bachelor’s degree with minimal experience. With steps such as outlining your path to a promotion, earning certifications like your certified public accountant (CPA) license, developing your technical and workplace skills, and becoming an employee known for solving problems, you may move into some of the highest-paying jobs in finance. Explore ten high-paying careers in finance, the salary associated with each position, and their estimated job growth.

Best-paying jobs in finance

The best-paying jobs in finance span industries and offer lucrative career opportunities. The list below includes the average US salary for each position, job outlook information, a job description, and sample interview questions. 

*All average annual salary data is sourced from Glassdoor as of June 2024 and does not include additional pay, such as commission and benefits.

1. Chief executive officer

Average annual US salary: $177,449

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 3 percent [1]

Requirements: Although the minimum requirement for this position is a bachelor's degree, many companies will want you to have a master's and several years of experience in a leadership position.

As a chief executive officer (CEO), you are frequently the public face of the company. You may direct business strategy and make decisions to shape the company and its culture. In addition to overseeing company financial activity, you will likely be responsible for selecting department heads and managers, consulting with other executives and board members, and establishing a vision for the company’s future. You will most likely collaborate with other top-level executives within the company.

Four common CEO interview questions:

• What are some of the biggest trends and challenges facing this industry? 

• What does your decision-making process look like?

• What personal traits do you feel are necessary to become a leader?

• What would you bring to a five-year plan for this company?

2. Chief financial officer

Average annual US salary: $201,132

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 3 percent [1]

Requirements: As with other top leadership positions, you’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree, particularly in finance, accounting, or business. However, many companies will look for a candidate who has a master’s as well as past leadership experience. Sometimes, a company may prefer that you hold a CPA or other certification. 

As the chief financial officer in a company, you would be in a C-suite leadership role overseeing financial decisions and strategy. This will include budgeting and overseeing accounting operations, managing the finance department, and helping to shape the overall financial direction of the company. As CFO, you’ll also need to remain aware of the current national and local financial requirements, making sure to take necessary action to adhere to these.

Four common CFO interview questions:

• How do you evaluate potential financial decisions for profitability?

• How did you improve the accounting systems in your last role?

• What qualities contributed to your success in past roles?

• If a financial emergency arises, what are your next steps? 

3. Financial manager

Average annual US salary: $101,548

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 16 percent [2]

Requirements: You will need a bachelor’s degree in economics, business, or a related field, and many companies will prefer a candidate with leadership experience and experience in financial roles.

As a financial manager, you will lead a department to direct financial activities, develop long-term financial plans, and sometimes oversee a staff of financial professionals. In this role, you may report to a senior executive. 

Four common financial manager interview questions:

• How would you motivate all of the members of your team?

• What qualities do you hold that make you a good candidate for a financial role?

• Explain your decision-making process and how you evaluate good opportunities. 

• Tell us about a time you successfully improved your previous company’s metrics. 

4. Credit risk manager

Average annual US salary: $122,721

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 16 percent [2]

Requirements: To become a credit risk manager, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a business-related field. Employers may prefer candidates with roughly two to six years of experience in finance, sales, or business. 

As a credit risk manager, you will evaluate the risks of extending credit to customers. You may work in banks, financial institutions, or credit card companies. If you work as a credit risk manager for a corporation, you may be responsible for evaluating the risks facing the company’s financial holdings or debts. Credit risk managers also develop and implement policies to help reduce risk. 

Four common credit risk manager interview questions:

• How would you deal with a long-term client not deemed safe for a loan? 

• Tell me your process for prioritizing responsibilities.

• How do you deal with constructive criticism from supervisors?

• How do you remain aware of the current adjustments in regulations? 

5. Personal finance advisor

Average annual US salary: $95,194

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 13 percent [3]

Requirements: You usually need a bachelor’s degree to work as a personal finance manager. Although a specific field is not generally required, courses in risk management, investments, and taxes can help you qualify. 

As a personal finance manager, you help individuals manage their money, including selecting and buying investments, reviewing and maintaining a portfolio, planning tax strategies, and creating a plan to help their customers reach their financial goals. You assist customers in planning major life events, such as retirement or paying for a child to attend school. You will also research and evaluate investments. 

Four common personal finance advisor interview questions:

• Describe a major obstacle you overcame while working with a client. 

• Explain the definition of a cash flow statement.

• How do you stay current on trends and challenges facing personal finance?

• Why did you choose to work in finance?

6. Financial analyst

Average annual US salary: $79,235 

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 8 percent [4]

Requirements: You commonly need a bachelor’s degree in business or a related field. Some employers prefer candidates with a more advanced degree, such as a master’s degree. 

As a financial analyst, you help guide companies and individuals to make the best choices for their finances. This may include preparing reports and analyses, meeting with business leaders and executives, and reviewing financial statements. You may be a buy-side financial analyst—helping companies with a lot of money to invest find the most profitable portfolio. Another option is a sell-side financial analyst—working with companies that sell financial products such as stocks and bonds. 

Four common financial analyst interview questions:

• Describe a time when you made a good call and helped a company financially. 

• How would you create an investment proposal for the company’s senior management?

• What is your process for developing a financial analysis report? 

• How do you use profitability models in your work?

7. Private equity associate

Average annual US salary: $145,330 

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 8 percent [4]

Requirements: You need a bachelor’s degree in a major related to finance, such as accounting, mathematics, statistics, or finance, to begin working as a private equity associate.

Working as a private equity associate, you will likely be in an entry-level position in a private equity firm, helping companies raise capital, buying and selling companies, researching growth potential, and generating new ideas for deals. In an entry-level position, your primary responsibility may be looking at data. In senior associate roles, you may be responsible for closing deals and making business decisions. 

Four common private equity associate interview questions:

• How do you think our company separates itself from competitors?

• What does evaluating a borrower’s credit risk look like for you?

• How do you remain aware of changes in our industry?

• What is your experience with financial modeling?

8. Investment banker

Average annual US salary: $172,622

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 7 percent [5]

Requirements: Typically, as a minimum, you need to earn a bachelor’s degree in finance or a similar field such as business administration or accounting. Certain companies might require you to have a master’s in either finance or business. Although a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement, employers may prefer candidates with graduate degrees. It will also typically be necessary for you to have experience, which you can earn through internships.

As an investment banker, you will help support companies and other organizations to grow, develop, and raise capital. When companies need money, they enlist an investment banker to underwrite securities on their behalf and then sell them to investors. In this role, you will help companies conduct initial public offerings (IPOs), purchase other companies (acquisitions), or merge with other companies (mergers). 

Four common investment banker interview questions:

• How does this position match your long-term career goals? 

• What does your process for evaluating potential investors look like? 

• What is your prior experience with company valuation?

• How can a company increase its return by using leverage?

9. Hedge fund manager

Average annual US salary: $131,892

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 7 percent [5]

Requirements: Most likely, you will need a master’s degree in areas such as finance, marketing, business administration, or mathematics. Some hedge fund managers even have a PhD. To reach this position, you typically need at least 10 years working in this industry with a proven track record of success. 

As a hedge fund manager, you oversee a hedge fund, which can be a high-value, high-return investment for individuals or firms of investors. You evaluate investments, execute investment strategy, and act quickly in high-risk, high-reward environments. Hedge funds operate under different rules than other types of investments, and they tend to employ more aggressive trading tactics. 

Four common hedge fund manager interview questions:

• When it comes to bankruptcy, what is the order of creditor preference?

• If given $1 million, what type of business would you start?

• What was your decision-making process when choosing your major?

• What motivates you?

10. Senior accountant 

Average annual US salary: $84,980

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 4 percent [6]

Requirements: You need a bachelor’s degree for this position in accounting or finance, but employers will often look for at least two years of experience and may require you to have earned a CPA license. 

As a senior accountant, you may oversee the accounting department for a company or organization, prepare consolidated financial statements, develop accounting policies, and analyze company finances. You may also work for a firm that advises various clients, including businesses, nonprofits, and individuals. Another option you may choose is to become a senior government accountant, working on auditing and reviewing the records of government agencies, individuals, and corporations. 

Four common senior accountant interview questions:

• Tell me what traits make you a good accountant.

• What accounting technology do you have experience with from previous positions?

• What are some of the strategies you use to monitor potential fraud?

• Describe a time you overcame challenges between staff.

Next steps on Coursera

Pursuing a high-paying job in the field of finance is an admirable goal. With the proper education and hard work, you can achieve an executive-level position in this industry.

If you’re ready to take the next step toward some of the best careers in finance, consider expanding your skill set on Coursera. With a Financial Management Specialization offered by the University of Illinois, you can explore skills in investing, risk management, accounting, and more. This Specialization consists of seven courses, which you can also take individually on Coursera. It’s also a part of a Master of Business Administration (iMBA) program at the University of Illinois if you’d like to take your education even further.