Average Salary for a Financial Manager in the USA 2025: Pay by Experience, Top States & How to Earn More
"Financial managers are the money experts who help companies make smart financial decisions. They watch over budgets, create financial reports, and plan for the future. These professionals keep businesses running smoothly by managing cash flow and investments."
Financial managers work in many industries, like banks, insurance companies, and big corporations. They need strong math skills and must understand complex financial rules. The job requires making important decisions that affect the company's profits. Most financial managers have college degrees in finance, accounting, or business.
The field is growing fast as companies need more financial expertise.
Technology is changing how financial managers work, but human skills remain important. Many professionals don't know their true market value in 2025. This knowledge gap can cost them thousands of dollars in lost income.
This blog will show you exactly what financial managers earn in 2025.
We'll break down salaries by experience level and show which states pay the most. You'll learn practical tips to boost your income and get answers to common questions. We'll cover topics like "Do financial managers get bonuses?" and "What skills increase financial manager salaries?"
This guide uses real data to help you make informed career decisions.
Average Salary for a Financial Manager in the USA
$121,000 per year (Average)
The average salary for financial managers varies across platforms, with Glassdoor reporting $140,332, PayScale showing $104,425, and Indeed indicating $118,619 annually.
We calculated the $121,000 average by combining data from several global salary surveys, government statistics, and major job platforms, including Indeed, Glassdoor, PayScale, and ZipRecruiter.
Compared to last year, financial manager salaries have grown steadily, with a 10% increase over the past decade from $80,960 in 2014 to current levels.
This growth reflects the increasing complexity of financial regulations and the growing need for financial expertise in businesses.
Salary for a Financial Manager Key Metrics 2025
Average salary: According to government statistics, the median annual wage for financial managers was $161,700 in May 2024, while several global salary surveys report ranges from $104,425 to $140,332 annually.
Salary range: Based on multiple USA data sources, the salary range spans from $102,592 at the entry level to $153,315 for top performers. Some sources indicate an even wider range from $64,638 to $646,379 based on experience and company size.
Salary by experience: According to many USA sources and surveys, entry-level financial managers (0-2 years) typically earn $65,000-$85,000, mid-level professionals (3-7 years) make $90,000-$120,000, while senior specialists (8+ years) command $130,000-$180,000 annually. Financial managers with 10-19 years of experience earned an average salary of $93,220 per year, according to industry data.
75th percentile: Many USA data sources indicate that high-performing financial managers earn around $140,000-$160,000 per year, placing them well above the national average for business professionals.
Salary for a Financial Manager: Regional Comparison
Geographic location greatly affects financial manager salaries across the USA. States like New York and California offer the highest salaries, with New York leading at $241,150 mean salary. Metropolitan areas and financial hubs typically pay premium wages to attract top talent. The Cost of living varies significantly between regions, so professionals should consider both salary and expenses when making career decisions.
Here's how salaries compare across major states:
New York offers the best combination of high salaries and career opportunities, despite higher living costs. The state has many financial institutions and corporations that need skilled financial managers.
Like investment bankers and financial analysts, location plays a major role in determining total compensation for financial management professionals.
7 Tips to Grow Your Financial Manager Salary
1. Get Professional Certifications: Earning certifications like CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) and CFM (Certified Financial Manager) can boost your earnings by 6-10% according to industry data. These credentials show expertise and attract higher-paying positions.
2. Specialize in High-Growth Industries: Focus on tech or healthcare sectors where finance managers enjoy significant earning potential, with tech finance managers in San Jose earning the highest at $284,037. Technology companies often pay premium salaries for financial expertise.
3. Move to High-Paying States: Consider relocating to states like New York, New Jersey, or California, where financial manager salaries are significantly above national averages. The salary difference can be worth the higher cost of living.
4. Pursue Advanced Degrees: An MBA in Finance or a related field opens doors to executive positions and private equity roles. Many surveys show master's degree holders earn 20-30% more than bachelor's degree professionals.
5. Develop Technology Skills: Learn financial software, data analysis tools, and automation systems. Companies pay more for managers who can use technology to improve financial processes and reporting.
6. Build Leadership Experience: Move into roles that manage teams and departments. Senior financial managers with leadership responsibilities command higher salaries than individual contributors.
7. Consider Fortune 500 Companies: Large corporations typically offer higher base salaries plus bonuses and stock options. Finance manager salaries at major companies like Barclays and BNP Paribas are among the highest-paying, according to recent salary estimates.
FAQs | Financial Manager's Salary
What is the average salary for a Financial Manager in 2025?
The average salary ranges from $118,619 to $161,700 per year, with most sources agreeing on approximately $121,000 annually. This represents the typical gross income before taxes and varies by location and experience.
Is the Financial Manager's salary before or after tax?
All salary figures mentioned are gross annual salaries before taxes. You'll need to account for federal, state, and local taxes when calculating your actual take-home pay.
How much do entry-level Financial Managers make?
According to multiple USA salary surveys, entry-level financial managers typically start around $65,000-$85,000 annually, with some sources reporting up to $124,326 for entry-level positions. Location and company size greatly affect starting salaries.
Which states offer the highest salary for Financial Managers?
New York ($241,150), New Jersey ($208,370), California ($196,670), Delaware ($195,880), and Massachusetts ($192,040) rank as the top-paying states for financial managers.
Do Financial Manager salaries include bonuses?
Most reported salaries are base pay only. Bonuses can add up to 30% of base salary according to industry reports, plus stock options and other incentives are typically listed separately.
What education is needed for a Financial Manager salary?
Most positions require a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, or business administration. Many employers prefer candidates with MBA degrees or professional certifications like CFA or CPA.
How does a Financial Manager's pay compare to other finance jobs?
Financial Managers earned an average salary of $174,820 in 2023, compared to Financial Advisors at $150,670, Management Analysts at $115,530, and Financial Analysts at $112,950.
Can Financial Managers work remotely for good pay?
Many financial manager positions now offer remote or hybrid work options. Companies compete for talent by offering flexible arrangements while maintaining competitive salaries.
What benefits do Financial Managers typically receive?
Most full-time positions include health insurance, retirement plans with company matching, paid time off, and professional development budgets. Senior roles often include stock options and performance bonuses.
How has the salary for Financial Managers changed recently?
Salaries have increased by $20,414 over the last ten years, representing a 10% change in pay for financial managers. The field continues growing as businesses need more financial oversight and planning.
What factors affect a Financial Manager's earning potential?
Key factors include location, industry, company size, experience level, and economic conditions. Specialization in areas like risk management or corporate finance can significantly boost earnings.
Are there opportunities for salary growth in Financial Management?
Yes, employment of financial managers is projected to grow 15 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. This strong job growth creates opportunities for career advancement and salary increases.
Note: All pay information is current as of 2025. Data comes from several global salary surveys and government statistics, 2025.
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