Business and finance careers: pay, qualifications and outlook
Business and financial occupations cluster around analysis: of money, risk, markets and organisations. Most expect a bachelor's degree, and many of the better-paid roles add a professional credential — the CPA in accounting, actuarial exams in insurance, the CFA in investment.
The list below ranks every business and financial operations occupation by median annual pay.
- Occupations
- 50
- Pay range
- $52,230–$117,330
- Top median
- $117,330
Business and finance occupations, ranked by median pay
Median annual wage, national, BLS May 2025.
Financial Risk SpecialistsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 63,850 employed$117,330median / yrPersonal Financial AdvisorsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 266,800 employed$105,070median / yrFinancial and Investment AnalystsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 361,980 employed$102,740median / yrProject Management SpecialistsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 1,066,670 employed$102,320median / yrManagement AnalystsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 898,280 employed$101,860median / yrLabor Relations SpecialistsConsiderable preparation needed · 64,810 employed$95,420median / yrFinancial ExaminersGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 67,830 employed$94,160median / yrBudget AnalystsConsiderable preparation needed · 47,160 employed$91,640median / yrAccountants and AuditorsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 1,449,500 employed$83,680median / yrCredit AnalystsConsiderable preparation needed · 64,390 employed$83,510median / yrBusiness Operations Specialists, All OtherGrowingPreparation level not rated · 1,087,090 employed$83,050median / yrBusiness Continuity PlannersGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 1,087,090 employed$83,050median / yrSustainability SpecialistsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 1,087,090 employed$83,050median / yrOnline MerchantsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 1,087,090 employed$83,050median / yrSecurity Management SpecialistsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 1,087,090 employed$83,050median / yrAgents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and AthletesGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 12,620 employed$82,890median / yrLogisticiansGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 251,040 employed$82,320median / yrLogistics EngineersGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 251,040 employed$82,320median / yrLogistics AnalystsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 251,040 employed$82,320median / yrInsurance UnderwritersConsiderable preparation needed · 105,420 employed$81,370median / yrFinancial Specialists, All OtherPreparation level not rated · 132,130 employed$81,100median / yrFinancial Quantitative AnalystsExtensive preparation needed · 132,130 employed$81,100median / yrFraud Examiners, Investigators and AnalystsConsiderable preparation needed · 132,130 employed$81,100median / yrCompliance OfficersConsiderable preparation needed · 417,070 employed$80,730median / yrEnvironmental Compliance InspectorsConsiderable preparation needed · 417,070 employed$80,730median / yrEqual Opportunity Representatives and OfficersConsiderable preparation needed · 417,070 employed$80,730median / yrGovernment Property Inspectors and InvestigatorsMedium preparation needed · 417,070 employed$80,730median / yrCoronersMedium preparation needed · 417,070 employed$80,730median / yrRegulatory Affairs SpecialistsConsiderable preparation needed · 417,070 employed$80,730median / yrCustoms BrokersMedium preparation needed · 417,070 employed$80,730median / yrMarket Research Analysts and Marketing SpecialistsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 899,580 employed$78,760median / yrSearch Marketing StrategistsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 899,580 employed$78,760median / yrCost EstimatorsConsiderable preparation needed · 224,220 employed$78,740median / yrInsurance Appraisers, Auto DamageMedium preparation needed · 11,560 employed$78,240median / yrCompensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis SpecialistsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 112,380 employed$78,210median / yrClaims Adjusters, Examiners, and InvestigatorsConsiderable preparation needed · 324,230 employed$78,000median / yrBuyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm ProductsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 491,430 employed$77,710median / yrWholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm ProductsGrowingMedium preparation needed · 491,430 employed$77,710median / yrPurchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm ProductsGrowingConsiderable preparation needed · 491,430 employed$77,710median / yrLoan OfficersConsiderable preparation needed · 274,330 employed$76,690median / yr
Fastest growing business and finance occupations
Projected employment growth, 2024–34.
- Financial Examinersgrowing much faster than average+19%
- Logisticiansgrowing much faster than average+17%
- Logistics Engineersgrowing much faster than average+17%
- Logistics Analystsgrowing much faster than average+17%
- Training and Development Specialistsgrowing much faster than average+11%
- Personal Financial Advisorsgrowing much faster than average+10%
- Management Analystsgrowing much faster than average+9%
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialistsgrowing faster than average+7%