Financial Manager Salaries & Wage Percentiles
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology
Direct financial activities, plan investments, formulate budget directives, and ensure regulatory compliance.
National Wage Percentile Spectrum
Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).
Nationwide State Salary Rankings
State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.
| Rank | State | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | CoL Adjusted Real Wage | Total Employed | Top Metro in State | CoL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | District of Columbia DC | $185,270 | $89.07/hr | $116,595 | 26,430 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 158.9 |
| #2 | Colorado CO | $173,972 | $83.64/hr | $148,441 | 9,840 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 117.2 |
| #3 | Connecticut CT | $173,962 | $83.64/hr | $137,737 | 18,550 | Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 126.3 |
| #4 | Massachusetts MA | $169,935 | $81.70/hr | $129,919 | 24,990 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 130.8 |
| #5 | New Jersey NJ | $168,003 | $80.77/hr | $142,255 | 3,110 | Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 118.1 |
| #6 | Rhode Island RI | $167,570 | $80.56/hr | $150,692 | 3,280 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 111.2 |
| #7 | South Dakota SD | $161,930 | $77.85/hr | $168,852 | 620 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN | 95.9 |
| #8 | Washington WA | $159,995 | $76.92/hr | $141,839 | 11,290 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 112.8 |
Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings
High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.
Career Ladder & Progression Stages
Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.
Bachelor's degree (most common O*NET requirement); entry into the field
Demonstrated results in role; works independently on core responsibilities; CPA or CFA designation
Full professional competence; leads projects or a small team
Owns budget, hiring and outcomes for a department or large program
Executive or principal scope; sets strategy across the organization or profession
Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities
Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.
Financial Manager: Career Ladder, Industry Hub & Regional Parity
Navigate parent industry benchmarks, lateral career progressions, and cross-pillar living cost calculators.
Finance Directory
Compare wage percentiles, required certifications, and senior salary caps across all Finance occupations.
Adjacent Career Paths
Living Cost & Tax Parity
Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions
Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, and career ladder progression for Financial Manager. Official 2026 economic data for Financial Manager compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
National compensation benchmarks for Financial Manager range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.
Financial Manager: Where the Pay Is Highest
The national median for Financial Manager is $166,570 per year ($80.08/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 390 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $94,600 in San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR to $225,280 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA.
Top-paying metropolitan areas for Financial Manager
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs national |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $225,280 | +35.2% |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $221,010 | +32.7% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $216,150 | +29.8% |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $211,000 | +26.7% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $209,780 | +25.9% |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $193,400 | +16.1% |
| Boulder, CO | $192,970 | +15.8% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $185,550 | +11.4% |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $185,270 | +11.2% |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $184,800 | +10.9% |
| Springfield, MA | $175,950 | +5.6% |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $175,890 | +5.6% |