11 Great Careers for people Interested in Finance
Last updated: October 2026
If you’re looking for the best careers in finance, the good news is that you have plenty of options, and most of them pay well above the average U.S. job. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), business and financial occupations had a median wage of $80,920 in May 2024, compared with $49,500 for all occupations.
But “finance” is a huge field. A financial analyst, a loan officer and a compliance officer all work in finance, yet their days, pay and career paths look completely different. This guide breaks down 11 of the best finance careers using the latest BLS pay data (May 2025), explains what each job really involves, and shows you how to get started even if you have no experience yet.
In this guide:
- Best finance careers at a glance
- The 11 best careers in finance
- Investment banking, trading and private equity
- How to choose the right finance career
- How to start a finance career with no experience
- Finance certifications worth knowing
- Is a finance career worth it in 2026?
- Frequently asked questions
Best Finance Careers at a Glance
Here is the full list with national median pay from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, May 2025. Scroll sideways on a phone to see every column.
| Career | Median annual pay | Common credential | Good fit if you like… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial manager | $166,570 | CPA, CFA or MBA | Leadership and big-picture planning |
| Financial risk specialist | $117,330 | FRM | Spotting problems before they happen |
| Personal financial advisor | $105,070 | CFP | Working directly with people |
| Financial analyst | $102,740 | CFA | Modeling, research and investing |
| Financial examiner | $94,160 | CPA | Regulation and detailed review |
| Budget analyst | $91,640 | CGFM (government) | Planning and public-sector work |
| Accountant / auditor | $83,680 | CPA | Accuracy and clear rules |
| Credit analyst | $83,510 | CFA | Judging whether borrowers can repay |
| Insurance underwriter | $81,370 | CPCU | Pricing risk and making decisions |
| Compliance officer | $80,730 | CAMS | Rules, ethics and investigations |
| Loan officer | $76,690 | NMLS license (mortgage loans) | Sales combined with lending |
How we ranked them: by median pay, because that is the number most readers search for first. We also looked at the education each job typically requires and, where the BLS publishes it, the job outlook. Keep in mind that these figures are base wages. Bonuses, stock compensation and benefits are not included, so total pay can be higher, especially at banks and investment firms.
The 11 Best Careers in Finance (Ranked by Median Pay)
1. Financial Manager: $166,570
Financial managers run the money side of a company or organization. They prepare financial reports, direct investment activities, manage cash flow and build long-term financial plans. Job titles include controller, treasurer, finance director and, eventually, CFO.
This is rarely a first job. The BLS notes that financial managers typically need a bachelor’s degree and about five years of experience in another business or financial role, and the pay reflects that. Many people get there by starting as an accountant, analyst or loan officer.
Best for: people who want leadership, strategy and the highest long-term earning potential.
2. Financial Risk Specialist: $117,330
Risk specialists identify and measure the risks that could cost a bank, insurer or investment firm money: market swings, borrowers who can’t repay, fraud and operational failures. They build models, run stress tests and advise leadership on how much risk is acceptable.
Math and data skills matter a lot here. The Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certification is a well-known credential in this area.
Best for: analytical people who like asking “what could go wrong?”
3. Personal Financial Advisor: $105,070
Personal financial advisors help individuals and families with investing, retirement, insurance, taxes and estate planning. Some are salaried, but many earn fees or commissions tied to the assets they manage, so income can vary a lot, especially while you build a client base.
One thing to know before you choose this path: the BLS projects employment of personal financial advisors to grow just 1% from 2025 to 2035, which is slower than average. Competition for clients can be real. The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation is the most recognized credential.
Best for: people-oriented types who enjoy teaching and building long-term relationships.
4. Financial Analyst: $102,740
Financial analysts study financial data, build models and make recommendations about investments or business decisions. Some work at investment firms, while others work on corporate finance teams doing budgeting and forecasting (often called FP&A).
It is also one of the larger and faster-growing options. The BLS counted about 377,200 financial and investment analyst jobs in 2025 and projects 7% growth from 2025 to 2035, which it describes as much faster than average. Strong Excel and financial modeling skills are the foundation, and the CFA charter is respected for investment roles.
Best for: people who like research, numbers and turning data into a clear recommendation.
5. Financial Examiner: $94,160
Financial examiners review banks, credit unions and other institutions to make sure they follow the law and operate safely. Many work for government agencies and regulators. The job is detail-heavy and investigative, and an accounting background helps.
Best for: people who like rules, investigation and public service.
6. Budget Analyst: $91,640
Budget analysts help organizations such as schools, hospitals, city governments and companies plan and monitor their spending. They prepare budget reports, review funding requests and forecast future costs. It is a practical, less market-driven corner of finance.
Best for: planners who like organizing money for a real-world purpose.
7. Accountant and Auditor: $83,680
Accountants prepare and examine financial records, make sure taxes are handled correctly and check that a company’s books are accurate. Every business needs this work, which is why accounting is one of the most established paths into finance.
The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is the key credential and can lead to senior roles at accounting firms or to controller and CFO positions. Most states require 150 credit hours for CPA licensure, although some have added alternative pathways, so check your state board of accountancy.
Best for: people who value accuracy and clear rules.
8. Credit Analyst: $83,510
Credit analysts judge whether a person or business can repay borrowed money. They review financial statements, credit history and industry conditions, then recommend whether to approve a loan or set a credit limit. It is a common stepping stone into commercial banking, risk management and lending leadership.
Best for: people who like evaluating risk with real data.
9. Insurance Underwriter: $81,370
Underwriters evaluate insurance applications and decide whether to offer coverage and at what price. It is part detective work and part math. Underwriters work in property and casualty, life and health insurance, and the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation is common in the field.
Best for: decision-makers who like pricing risk.
10. Compliance Officer: $80,730
Compliance officers make sure an organization follows laws, regulations and its own internal policies. In finance, that often means anti-money laundering rules, consumer protection laws and securities regulations. Banks and investment firms hire compliance staff because they operate under heavy regulation. The CAMS certification is popular for anti-money laundering work.
Best for: people who care about ethics, rules and protecting an organization’s reputation.
11. Loan Officer: $76,690
Loan officers evaluate, authorize and recommend approval of loans for individuals and businesses, including mortgage, auto and commercial loans. Pay is often a mix of salary and commission, so earnings can swing with interest rates and the housing market. Mortgage loan originators must hold a state license registered through the NMLS.
It is a customer-facing role and a common entry point into banking.
Best for: people who enjoy sales and helping customers reach big purchases.
What About Investment Banking, Trading and Private Equity?
These are the finance careers most people picture first, and they are known for large bonuses and very long hours. They are not tracked as a single occupation in the BLS data above, and pay varies widely by firm, city and year, so we haven’t put a number on them here.
Entry is highly competitive. Many firms recruit through internships, and many analysts move on after a couple of years to private equity, corporate development or business school. If that world appeals to you, start early: build strong modeling skills, apply for internships and network with people already in the field.
How to Choose the Right Finance Career
Instead of chasing the highest salary, match the job to how you like to work:
- You like working with people: personal financial advisor or loan officer.
- You like data and modeling: financial analyst, financial risk specialist or credit analyst.
- You like rules and accuracy: accountant, financial examiner or compliance officer.
- You like planning and leadership: budget analyst, with a long-term path toward financial manager.
- You like pricing risk: insurance underwriter or risk specialist.
Three questions can narrow it down further. Do you prefer talking to clients or working with spreadsheets? Are you comfortable with commission-based income that rises and falls? Do you want to work for a company, a bank, the government or yourself?
How to Start a Finance Career With No Experience
- Build the foundation. A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business or math is the most common route, and the BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education for the roles in this guide.
- Learn Excel and basic financial modeling. Almost every finance job uses spreadsheets daily, so this skill pays off no matter which path you choose.
- Get hands-on experience. Look for internships and entry-level roles such as bank teller, loan processor, junior accountant or staff analyst. A year or two here opens many doors.
- Choose a certification once you know your direction. You don’t need to collect them all. See the next section, and check whether your employer will pay for exams.
- Network on purpose. Use LinkedIn, your school’s alumni network and professional associations to talk to people who already do the job you want.
- Follow the markets. Read financial news and learn why prices move. A good example is why stocks sometimes fall on good news.
Finance Certifications Worth Knowing
- CPA (Certified Public Accountant): the standard credential for accounting and auditing. Requirements are set by each state.
- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst): a respected investment credential that requires passing three exams plus relevant work experience.
- CFP (Certified Financial Planner): for financial advisors. It involves coursework, an exam and supervised experience.
- FRM (Financial Risk Manager): an exam-based credential from GARP focused on risk management.
Always confirm the current requirements, fees and timelines on each certifying body’s official website before you commit.
Is a Finance Career Worth It in 2026?
For many people, yes. Median pay for the roles above is well above the national average, and the BLS projects much faster than average growth for financial analysts. The skills also transfer easily between industries, from banking and insurance to tech and healthcare.
It is not for everyone, though. Some roles have long hours, entry-level competition can be intense, commission income can be unpredictable, and certifications take serious study time. Automation is also changing routine work like data entry and basic reporting, which makes judgment and communication skills more valuable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best jobs for finance majors?
Financial analyst, personal financial advisor, financial risk specialist, accountant, credit analyst and loan officer are all popular and well-paid options. Use the table near the top of this article to compare pay and requirements.
Which finance job pays the most?
Among the roles in this guide, financial managers have the highest median pay at $166,570. Investment banking and private equity are often said to pay more, but they are not tracked in the BLS data used here.
What are the most interesting jobs in finance?
That depends on your personality, but roles with variety and problem-solving tend to stand out: risk specialist, underwriter, financial examiner and analyst roles inside industries you already enjoy, such as tech, healthcare or entertainment.
Can I work in finance without a finance degree?
Yes. Degrees in accounting, economics, business, math, statistics and even engineering or computer science are common in finance. Skills like Excel, data analysis and communication matter, and certifications can help close any gap.
What is the easiest finance job to get into?
No finance job is truly easy to land, but common entry points include bank teller, loan processor, junior accountant and staff analyst roles. These positions let you build experience before moving into higher-paying jobs.
Will AI replace finance jobs?
AI is already automating routine tasks such as data entry, basic reporting and first-pass analysis. The BLS still projects growth for financial analysts through 2035. The safest strategy is to build skills that are harder to automate, such as judgment, client trust and clear communication, and to learn how to use AI tools well.
Final Thoughts
The best career in finance is the one that fits how you like to work, not just the one with the biggest number next to it. Pick two or three roles from the table, talk to people who do them, and try an internship or entry-level job to see how it feels.
And once you start earning, put your money to work too. Our guide to high-yield savings accounts vs regular savings accounts is a good first step for your emergency fund.
Sources and notes: Pay figures are national medians from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Job outlook and employment figures come from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook pages for financial analysts and personal financial advisors. Wages exclude bonuses, benefits and stock compensation, and actual pay varies by location, employer and experience. This article is for general education only and is not career or financial advice.