Salary guide

Financial Manager Salary & Pay Scale (2026)

What financial managers earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
How much does a financial manager make?

The median financial manager salary in the U.S. is $166,570 per year, or $80.08 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $94,310, while the top 10% earned more than $323,270.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Financial Manager pay scale

Financial Manager pay by percentile, May 2025
PercentileAnnualHourly*What it usually reflects
10th percentile$94,310$45.34Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings
25th percentile$125,490$60.33Early career, a year or two of experience
Median (50th)$166,570$80.08Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$219,980$105.76Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers
90th percentile$323,270$155.42Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas

*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.

Monthly and biweekly pay

Pay periodAt 25th percentileAt medianAt 75th percentile
Per year$125,490$166,570$219,980
Per month$10,458$13,881$18,332
Every two weeks$4,827$6,407$8,461
Per week$2,413$3,203$4,230

Gross pay before taxes and deductions.

What affects financial manager pay

  • Industry and company size
  • Professional credentials (CPA, PMP, SHRM-CP, paralegal certificates)
  • Software skills such as Excel, QuickBooks, CRM and HR systems
  • Remote or hybrid roles tied to higher-cost labor markets
  • Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median

How to earn more as a financial manager

  1. Get credentialed: CPA, CFA, CMA.
  2. Build specialty experience: Lead a team.
  3. Move up: roles such as controller or director and cfo typically pay more.
  4. Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.

Financial Manager pay vs. related careers

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of financial managers to change by +9.7% from 2025–35, much faster than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 65,600 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.

About this data

Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 11-3031 (“Financial managers”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.

Financial Manager salary FAQ

How much does a financial manager make per hour?

The median hourly wage for financial managers was $80.08 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $45.34 and the top 10% earned about $155.42 or more.

How much does a financial manager make a month?

At the median annual wage of $166,570, that works out to about $13,881 per month before taxes, or about $6,407 every two weeks.

What is the starting salary for a financial manager?

New financial managers often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $94,310 and the 25th percentile was $125,490 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.

How can financial managers earn more?

Common ways include earning CPA and CFA, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as controller or director.

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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