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A career in finance remains one of the most reliable paths to a high salary, with senior roles often offering compensation well into the six figures. Based on aggregated salary data from platforms like ok.com, this guide explores ten of the most lucrative finance positions, detailing their average salaries and primary responsibilities to help you target your career search effectively.
What Are the Highest Paying Finance Director Roles?
Director-level positions command top salaries due to their strategic importance. A Director of Strategy is a senior-level professional responsible for shaping a company's long-term vision. Their duties include ensuring departmental alignment on business goals, leading strategy meetings, and allocating resources to fuel growth. The national average salary for this role is approximately $108,000 per year.
Another key leadership role is the Head of Finance, who directs a company’s entire financial strategy. This involves overseeing forecasting, accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting. A strong grasp of financial regulations and market trends is essential. Professionals in this role earn a national average salary of around $85,000 annually.
Which Finance Management Positions Offer High Salaries?
Management roles in specialized areas like audit and risk are critical and well-compensated. An Audit Manager supervises audit teams to ensure a company meets all regulatory compliance standards. They review their team's work and develop audit plans with internal stakeholders, earning an average of $70,000 per year.
A Risk Manager, specifically a financial risk manager, focuses on identifying, assessing, and mitigating financial risks within an organization. They implement risk management frameworks and determine acceptable risk levels. This specialized role has an average salary of about $69,000 per year. A Procurement Manager, who oversees the sourcing of suppliers and negotiates contracts to balance cost and quality, commands a similar salary, averaging $66,000 annually.
What Are High-Earning Specialist and Advisory Finance Jobs?
Specialist roles that involve managing assets or investments are also highly rewarding. A Finance Partner collaborates across departments to align business strategy with financial goals, providing actionable insights and ensuring regulatory compliance. The average salary for this role is $65,000 per year.
An Asset Manager oversees a client's or company's financial assets to maximize profitability through strategic investments. Their work includes preparing financial forecasts and analyzing asset performance, with an average salary of $60,000. Similarly, a Portfolio Manager makes investment decisions based on market analysis, requiring expertise in strategies like passive and active investing. They earn an average of $59,000 per year.
Are There Well-Paid Entry-Level to Mid-Level Finance Roles?
While salaries are highest for senior positions, there are well-paying opportunities for those earlier in their careers. A Trustee manages assets set aside for a third-party beneficiary, ensuring they are used in the beneficiary's best interest. This role, which includes conducting risk assessments and managing tax-related issues, pays an average of $50,000 per year. For those entering the field, a Banking Associate serves as a client-facing advisor in investment banking, executing transactions and providing financial advice. This entry-level position has an average salary of $31,500.
To maximize your earning potential in finance, consider these steps:
