Finance degree jobs include careers in banking, investments, insurance, corporate finance, and financial planning. Some welcome graduates; others require experience, licensing, or training. Compare job requirements before choosing.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), business and financial occupations earned a median annual wage of $82,660 in May 2025, compared with $50,980 across all U.S. occupations. This guide compares 15 careers, job outlooks, and entry routes.
Quick Answer: What Jobs Can You Get With a Finance Degree?
A finance graduate can pursue financial analysis, credit analysis, budgeting, lending, insurance underwriting, and regulatory examination. Higher-paying paths include financial management, actuarial work, and specialized risk analysis. The salary figures below are national occupational medians, not starting salaries for new graduates.
Key Takeaways
- Financial managers lead this comparison with a $166,570 median annual wage.
- Junior analyst, lending, and finance operations positions can offer entry routes.
- Actuarial, accounting, and securities careers may require additional qualifications.
- Consider job growth, experience requirements, and personal interests alongside salary.
Finance Degree Jobs and Salaries: 2026 Comparison
| Finance Career | Median Annual Salary | Job Growth 2025–2035 |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Manager | $166,570 | 10% |
| Actuary | $130,000 | 9% |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $117,330 | 7% |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $105,070 | 1% |
| Financial and Investment Analyst | $102,740 | 7% |
| Management Analyst | $101,860 | 10% |
| Financial Examiner | $94,160 | 9% |
| Budget Analyst | $91,640 | 2% |
| Operations Research Analyst | $88,940 | 12% |
| Accountant or Auditor | $83,680 | 5% |
| Credit Analyst | $83,510 | -4% |
| Insurance Underwriter | $81,370 | -4% |
| Compliance Officer | $80,730 | 4% |
| Securities and Financial Services Sales Agent | $78,660 | 1% |
| Loan Officer | $76,690 | 1% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures represent May 2025 median annual wages and projected employment growth for 2025–2035. Salaries are occupational medians, not guaranteed starting salaries for finance graduates. Compliance officer statistics cover all industries.
15 High-Paying Finance Degree Jobs Explained
1. Financial Manager
Median Salary: $166,570 | Job Growth: 10%
Financial managers oversee budgets, cash flow, reporting, and financial strategy. They might evaluate whether a business should borrow money to expand or use existing reserves. Employers typically require a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of related experience.
Best entry route: Start as a financial analyst, accountant, or reporting specialist, then advance into management. This is generally not a graduate’s first job.
2. Actuary
Median Salary: $130,000 | Job Growth: 9%
Actuaries calculate the financial consequences of risk using probability, statistics, and mathematical models. Many work in insurance, forecasting claims and helping establish premiums. A bachelor’s degree is common, but professional actuarial examinations and strong quantitative skills are essential.
Best entry route: Apply for actuarial trainee positions after developing calculus, statistics, and programming skills.
3. Financial Risk Specialist
Median Salary: $117,330 | Job Growth: 7%
Risk specialists analyze potential losses from lending, investments, market movements, and interest-rate changes. Their findings help banks and companies understand exposure and prepare for unfavorable conditions. Finance, mathematics, and economics degrees can be relevant.
Best entry route: Junior risk analyst, supported by Excel, statistics, and financial modeling. The Financial Risk Manager credential may help later.
4. Personal Financial Advisor
Median Salary: $105,070 | Job Growth: 1%
Personal financial advisors guide clients on savings, retirement planning, investing, and insurance needs. They must explain recommendations clearly and understand client circumstances. Some services require professional registration or licenses.
Best entry route: Financial planning associate or client service associate. Compensation can include bonuses and commissions, so compare the guaranteed salary with potential incentives.
5. Financial and Investment Analyst
Median Salary: $102,740 | Job Growth: 7%
Analysts examine financial statements, forecasts, and investments to support business decisions. Corporate analysts may investigate changing profit margins, while investment analysts research businesses and securities.
This is one of the most relevant finance degree jobs for graduates who enjoy accounting and research.
Best entry route: Junior financial analyst, backed by spreadsheet, valuation, and presentation skills.
6. Management Analyst
Median Salary: $101,860 | Job Growth: 10%
Management analysts recommend ways to improve business performance and efficiency. A consultant working with a bank might investigate expensive administrative procedures or identify cost savings.
The occupation often favors candidates with experience, but graduate analyst programs also exist.
Best entry route: Consulting analyst or business analyst, with evidence of problem-solving and clear reporting.
7. Financial Examiner
Median Salary: $94,160 | Job Growth: 9%
Financial examiners assess whether financial institutions follow regulations and maintain sound financial practices. They inspect records, internal controls, and lending activities.
Accounting coursework is particularly useful, and employers often provide extensive training.
Best entry route: Financial examiner trainee, especially for graduates interested in banking supervision, compliance, or government employment.
8. Budget Analyst
Median Salary: $91,640 | Job Growth: 2%
Budget analysts prepare spending plans, assess funding requests, and explain differences between budgets and actual expenses.
They work in businesses, universities, nonprofits, and government.
Best entry route: Junior budget analyst or budget assistant. Candidates should demonstrate Excel, forecasting, financial reporting, and written communication skills.
9. Operations Research Analyst
Median Salary: $88,940 | Job Growth: 12%
Operations research analysts apply mathematics and data modeling to difficult business decisions. They may optimize staffing, resources, or operating costs.
A finance degree is relevant when accompanied by substantial statistics and technical training; some employers prefer graduate study.
Best entry route: Quantitative analyst trainee or junior operations research analyst, with programming skills.
10. Accountant or Auditor
Median Salary: $83,680 | Job Growth: 5%
Accountants prepare financial records, and auditors examine reports and controls.
Some finance graduates qualify for junior positions, but employers may require specific accounting coursework. CPA licensing requirements vary by state.
Best entry route: Junior accountant or audit associate, after checking whether your education meets the employer’s requirements.
11. Credit Analyst
Median Salary: $83,510 | Job Growth: -4%
Credit analysts evaluate borrowers’ financial statements, cash flow, existing debts, and repayment capacity. Their reports support lending decisions in commercial banks and other institutions.
Best entry route: Credit analyst trainee, with a foundation in accounting ratios and business cash flow. Although overall employment is projected to decline, relevant opportunities can still arise.
12. Insurance Underwriter
Median Salary: $81,370 | Job Growth: -4%
Underwriters evaluate insurance applications, examine risks, and recommend coverage terms.
Automated software increasingly performs routine assessments, contributing to projected employment decline. However, employers still need trained staff and replacement workers.
Best entry route: Underwriting assistant or trainee, building insurance knowledge and careful analytical judgment.
13. Compliance Officer
Median Salary: $80,730 | Job Growth: 4%
Compliance officers help organizations follow regulations and internal policies. In financial services, they may review processes, investigate concerns, and document regulatory findings.
Best entry route: Compliance associate or junior compliance analyst. The reported pay applies to compliance officers across industries, not finance positions alone.
14. Securities and Financial Services Sales Agent
Median Salary: $78,660 | Job Growth: 1%
These professionals facilitate securities transactions and provide investment-related services. Work varies between brokerage, institutional sales, and other financial activities.
Securities registration or examinations may be necessary.
Best entry route: Financial services associate or securities trainee. Review how commissions, bonuses, and base pay affect compensation.
15. Loan Officer
Median Salary: $76,690 | Job Growth: 1%
Loan officers review borrowing applications, assess repayment capacity, and explain loan terms.
Commercial banks, credit unions, and mortgage firms hire them. Mortgage loan officers must meet licensing rules.
Best entry route: Lending support or loan officer trainee, with credit analysis and communication skills.
Best Entry-Level Finance Degree Jobs
Not every high-paying finance career is immediately accessible to new graduates. Several entry-level finance degree jobs offer opportunities to develop practical skills, gain professional experience, and build a foundation for long-term career growth.
| Entry-Level Role | Skills to Demonstrate |
|---|---|
| Junior Financial Analyst | Excel, financial reporting, forecasting |
| Credit Analyst Trainee | Cash flow analysis, financial statements |
| Budget Assistant | Budgeting, expense analysis, spreadsheets |
| Financial Examiner Trainee | Accounting, compliance, attention to detail |
| Underwriting Assistant | Insurance risk assessment, documentation |
| Finance Operations Associate | Financial reconciliation, transaction accuracy |
These positions can provide valuable starting points for finance graduates. However, qualifications and experience requirements vary by employer. Before applying, review the job description, required skills, training opportunities, and career advancement prospects.
Finance Degree Salary: Starting Pay vs. Median Pay
The median salary includes experienced employees, not just recent graduates. Pay varies by employer, location, specialization, commissions, and previous internships.
For instance, the $166,570 financial manager median should not be mistaken for a new graduate’s expected offer.
Compare local BLS occupational wage information with actual vacancies. Even lower wage percentiles do not necessarily represent starting salaries.
What Education and Certifications Do You Need?
A bachelor’s degree in finance is a common qualification for many banking, investment, financial analysis, and budgeting careers. However, some finance degree jobs require additional certifications, professional licenses, or specialized training.
An associate degree may qualify graduates for financial support roles, while a master’s degree in finance or an MBA can support career advancement. Advanced education is not required for every finance position.
| Qualification | Most Relevant Career |
|---|---|
| Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) | Investment research and asset management |
| Certified Financial Planner (CFP) | Personal financial planning |
| Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | Accounting and auditing |
| Financial Risk Manager (FRM) | Financial risk management |
| Actuarial Examinations | Actuarial and insurance careers |
Professional certifications can demonstrate specialized knowledge and improve eligibility for certain positions. However, candidates should review educational requirements, examination costs, professional experience requirements, and licensing rules before enrolling. Certifications do not guarantee employment, promotions, or higher salaries.
Which Finance Career Fits Your Interests?
Choosing the right finance career depends on your skills, interests, educational background, and long-term goals. Rather than focusing only on salary, consider the daily responsibilities and qualifications required for each position.
| Your Interests | Careers to Explore |
|---|---|
| Stock markets and company research | Investment Analyst |
| Working with clients | Personal Financial Advisor |
| Mathematics and statistics | Actuary, Financial Risk Specialist |
| Business budgeting and forecasting | Budget Analyst, FP&A Analyst |
| Banking and credit analysis | Credit Analyst, Loan Officer |
For example, graduates who enjoy analyzing financial statements may prefer investment research or credit analysis. Those interested in communication and helping individuals manage money may find personal financial planning more suitable.
The best finance degree jobs align with your abilities, career goals, and preferred working environment. Consider opportunities for training, professional development, and long-term career growth before making a decision.
Skills That Help Finance Graduates Get Hired
Employers value financial statement analysis, spreadsheet modeling, budgeting, communication, and business judgment.
Risk and fintech employers may also request SQL, Python, or data visualization.
One way to demonstrate these abilities is to build a portfolio with a company’s financial analysis, a cash-flow forecast, or a credit assessment. Explain the assumptions, calculations, and conclusions rather than presenting unsupported figures.
How to Get a Finance Job Without Experience
- Choose two or three positions that match your strengths.
- Read job advertisements to identify recurring requirements.
- Complete an internship or a realistic finance project.
- Tailor your resume to each role with measurable examples.
- Practice basic accounting, financial ratios, and interview questions.
- Apply through employer websites, university services, and reputable recruiters.
Search phrases such as junior FP&A analyst, credit analyst trainee, and finance graduate program are often more useful than a generic search for finance jobs.
Avoid recruitment offers that demand suspicious upfront payments.
Career Growth, AI, and Remote Opportunities
Possible career routes include junior financial analyst to senior analyst to finance manager, or credit analyst to credit manager. These are examples, not promised promotion timelines.
Artificial intelligence is changing repetitive reporting and underwriting tasks, but accurate interpretation, risk judgment, and regulatory knowledge remain important.
Some finance positions permit remote or hybrid work; availability depends on employer policy and data-security requirements.
Is a Finance Degree Worth It?
A finance degree can create options across banking, insurance, consulting, government, and corporate finance.
Its value depends on tuition, debt, employer recruiting, location, and the work you enjoy.
Compare realistic early-career salaries with education costs rather than relying on experienced professionals’ median wages.
Conclusion
Finance degree jobs range from entry-level banking and analytical positions to senior roles in financial management and risk.
Choose opportunities based on responsibilities, realistic starting pay, hiring requirements, and long-term interests.
Combining a finance degree with practical projects, relevant experience, and strong communication skills can build a sustainable career.
FAQs About Finance Degree Jobs
1. Are finance degree jobs available in government agencies?
Yes. Government agencies hire finance graduates for budget analysis, financial examination, and financial management positions. Requirements vary by agency and job level.
2. Can finance degree jobs lead to investment banking?
Yes. Finance graduates can pursue investment banking analyst positions. Relevant internships, financial modeling, valuation skills, and strong academic performance can improve their chances.
3. Which finance degree jobs involve less client interaction?
Budget analysts, FP&A analysts, and financial risk analysts generally focus on internal financial analysis rather than customer-facing work, although teamwork and communication remain important.
Disclaimer
Salary figures are based on U.S. occupational data and are not guaranteed starting salaries. Job availability, qualifications, licensing requirements, and earnings vary by employer and location.
