Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Guiding people or projects, setting direction, taking responsibility, and helping others succeed.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Financial managers typically need a bachelor’s degree and 5 years or more of experience in another business or financial occupation, such as accountant, securities sales agent, or financial analyst. PayThe median annual wage for financial managers was $166,570 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of financial managers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 65,600 openings for financial managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for financial managers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of financial managers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about financial managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for financial managers was $166,570 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of financial managers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 65,600 openings for financial managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for financial managers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of financial managers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about financial managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of financial managers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 65,600 openings for financial managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for financial managers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of financial managers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about financial managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Financial managers create financial reports, direct investment activities, and develop plans for the long-term financial goals of their organization.
Work Environment
Financial managers work in many industries, including banks, investment firms, and insurance companies. Most financial managers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become a Financial Manager
Financial managers typically need a bachelor’s degree and 5 years or more of experience in another business or financial occupation, such as accountant, securities sales agent, or financial analyst.
Pay
The median annual wage for financial managers was $166,570 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of financial managers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 65,600 openings for financial managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for financial managers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of financial managers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about financial managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Financial managers work in many industries, including banks, investment firms, and insurance companies. Most financial managers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become a Financial Manager
Financial managers typically need a bachelor’s degree and 5 years or more of experience in another business or financial occupation, such as accountant, securities sales agent, or financial analyst.
Pay
The median annual wage for financial managers was $166,570 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of financial managers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 65,600 openings for financial managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for financial managers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of financial managers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about financial managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for financial managers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of financial managers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about financial managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about financial managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.