A career in finance typically features jobs with high salaries. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that professionals in finance and insurance earn an annual salary that ranges between $32,930 and $96,000. These figures increase when you consider bonuses and commissions.
But to qualify for such high-paying positions, you need to have a finance degree. A finance degree can help you land entry-level jobs in the finance sector, such as auditor, tax associate, financial advisor, and analyst. This article covers finance careers and what lucrative jobs are available for finance majors.
What Is a Finance Major?
A finance major is a specialization in finance-related courses during a bachelor’s degree program. As a finance student, you learn many related concepts, including financial planning, analyzing financial reports, and investment decisions.
Finance professionals solve problems, work with math, pay strict attention to detail, and generally like making predictions about the stock market. Other skills for finance majors include critical thinking, communications, financial modeling, mathematics, and accounting skills.
How to Become a Finance Major: Finance Education Options
There are several finance education options that you should consider if you want to become a finance major. Earning a bachelor’s or advanced degree in a finance-related field is your best option to break into this competitive industry.
Additionally, most employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s or advanced degree. However, there are alternative and reputable education routes. Here are some options you can consider to help you get your foot in the door as a finance specialist.
Finance Bootcamp
Bootcamps are an intensive and fast-paced educational option. Some bootcamps offer finance-related curriculum that’s designed to equip students with the necessary job skills in a short period of time. Most bootcamps have online courses that take a few weeks to complete. They’re also more affordable than traditional educational programs at colleges and universities.
The finance bootcamps listed below cover various finance-related topics, such as financial modeling, financial analysis, financial ratios, time series analysis, algorithmic trading, blockchain, and cryptocurrency.
Best Finance Bootcamps
- UC Berkeley FinTech Bootcamp
- Penn LPS FinTech Boot Camp
- Columbia Engineering FinTech Boot Camp
- Northwestern FinTech Boot Camp
Finance Associate Degree
An associate degree is a two-year college program that requires a student to complete about 20 courses or 60 credits. These degrees are issued by community colleges and universities. Getting an associate degree is an excellent option for launching your professional or academic career in any given field.
Associate degrees qualify students to transfer to universities as third-year students, where they can complete their bachelor’s degree in a related field. After enrolling in a finance program, you will learn many finance concepts, including finance principles, money, banking, financial markets, financial accounting, microeconomics, statistics, and macroeconomics.
Best Associate Degree Programs in Finance
- Associate Degree in Financial Management at Franklin University
- Associate of Applied Business in Financial Management at the University of Cincinnati (Online)
- Finance Associate of Science at Saint Paul College
- Finance Associate of Science at Nashville State Community College
- Associate of Applied Science in Banking – Finance at Houston Community College
Finance Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree is one of the best educational routes to consider for a career in finance.
It’s also a great starting point for anyone looking to advance their education through earning an MBA or other postgraduate degrees.
These programs provide essential knowledge of banking, insurance, and financial markets. Students who complete these programs will have the skills necessary to make reasonable deductions on business investments, business trends, mutual funds, perform financial reporting, research and analysis.
Best Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Finance
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the University of California, Berkeley
- Bachelor of Science in Finance at the University of Pennsylvania
- Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Finance Concentration at the University of Virginia
- Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance Major at the University of Texas at Austin
- Bachelor of Science in Finance at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Finance Master’s Degree
A master’s degree usually takes about two years to complete. A master’s degree in finance can help you become even more marketable, increasing your chances of landing a lucrative position in the finance field. A master’s degree also allows you to gain specialized knowledge, making it easier to transition into senior-level roles.
Best Master’s Degree Programs in Finance
- Master of Science in Finance at the University of San Diego
- Master of Science in Finance at the University of Michigan, Dearborn
- Master of Business Administration, Finance Major at the University of Pennsylvania
- Master of Business Administration, Finance Concentration at Columbia Business School
- Master of Business Administration, Finance Concentration at the University of Chicago
Finance Career Overview: Is a Finance Career Worth It?
Finance Job Outlook
The job outlook for finance careers looks reasonably promising. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates an eight percent growth for employment in business and financial operations occupations from 2020 to 2030. BLS estimates that this growth will create about 750,000 new jobs. You will have numerous employment opportunities as a finance major.
Finance Salaries
Finance majors can expect reasonably high salaries. According to the BLS, professionals working in business and finance-related occupations earn a median salary of $72,250, which is significantly higher than the national average of $41,950 per year.
Best Jobs for Finance Majors: What Can You Do with a Finance Degree?
With this degree, you can apply for work in many sectors, including consulting, brokerage and security sales, investment management, commercial banks, accounting firms, insurance companies, mutual fund sales, and management corporations. Finance majors can become financial analysts, loan officers, financial planners, or financial managers.
Best Finance Jobs for Coding Bootcamp Grads
| Job Title | Recommended Bootcamp | Top 10% Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Analyst | Northwestern FinTech Boot Camp | $132,000 |
| Risk and Compliance Expert | Penn LPS FinTech Boot Camp | $112,000 |
| Junior Blockchain Developer | Columbia Engineering FinTech Bootcamp | $108,000 |
| Finance App Developer | Rutgers Bootcamp | $101,000 |
| Crowdfunding Specialist | Berkeley FinTech Boot camp | $100,000 |
Quantitative Analyst
- Average Salary: $85,044
- Job Outlook: 6%
A huge part of corporate finance revolves around using mathematical and statistical models to solve problems. As a quantitative analyst, you will apply scientific and mathematical techniques to finance, to view and analyze different data sets. Depending on the job description, you might be required to perform options pricing, quantitative programming, and risk management.
Junior Blockchain Developer
- Average Salary: $108,000
- Job Outlook: 22%*
As a junior blockchain developer, your role will involve supporting team members in accomplishing tasks such as debugging, designing distributed ledgers, and developing blockchains for cryptocurrencies. By advancing your technical skills, you can lead development on different projects that are meant to arrive at secure transactions using blockchain technology.
Finance App Developer
- Average Salary: $70,766
- Job Outlook: 22%*
Financial applications allow customers to have online access to financial services. As a finance app developer, you will be in a team of professionals working on financial app development projects to create software solutions that meet customer needs. You will also help in testing and debugging source code.
Risk and Compliance Expert
- Average Salary: $70,708
- Job Outlook: 7%
Risk and compliance officers are monumental in ensuring financial companies adhere to the internal and external regulations of financial trading. You will be part of a team that helps protect investors while ensuring your organization operates transparently. To achieve this, you will need to read and stay updated on regulatory policies affecting a company’s internal and external
operations.
Crowdfunding Specialist
- Average Salary: $62,417
- Job Outlook: 8%
Crowdfunding is a vital finance concept that involves raising money from many investors who contribute relatively small amounts. A crowdfunding specialist provides insight into how an organization can manage and promote a crowdfunding campaign. A bootcamp training program will equip you with skills to help you kickstart your career as a crowdfunding specialist.
*Based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ data on Software Developers
Best Jobs for Finance Associate Degree Majors
| Job Title | Recommended School | Top 10% Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Counselor | Metropolitan Community College | $129,000 |
| Loan Officer | Maricopa Community Colleges | $75,000 |
| Finance Administrative Officer | Portland Community College | $70,000 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | Northeast Community College | $62,000 |
| Accounts Receivable Clerk | Highland Community college | $50,000 |
Credit Counselor
- Average Salary: $53,686
- Job Outlook: 5%
A credit counselor provides clients with information regarding debt management, budgeting, and general money management practices. Also known as credit analysts, these professionals help their clients avoid unfavorable economic situations such as bankruptcy and repossession. A large percentage of people in this industry have an associate degree.
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Loan Officer
- Average Salary: $48,885
- Job Outlook: -2%
Loan officers evaluate the creditStatisticsworthiness of business clients before approving loans. They also review loan accounts and files and maintain account records. These financial professionals work in commercial banks, credit unions, SACCOs, mortgage companies, and other financial institutions.
Finance Administrative Officer
- Average Salary: $53,686
- Job Outlook: 17%
A finance administrative officer works in the finance department and oversees the gathering and organization of financial reports. Some of their day-to-day duties include processing monthly sales invoices, managing account reconciliations, and controlling an organization’s daily income or expenditures.
Insurance Sales Agent
- Average Salary: $39,214
- Job Outlook: 7%
Insurance sales agents sell life, home, or motor insurance to clients who are exposed to different types of financial risk. They also advise people in the insurance industry. Most recruiters prefer employing applicants with an associate or a bachelor’s degree, although some employers encourage high school graduates to apply.
Accounts Receivable Specialist
- Average Salary: $38,770
- Job Outlook: -3%
Accounts receivable specialists record financial transactions involving money received from clients. These professionals start as bookkeepers in the accounting field. While the demand for such professionals is dropping, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are over 1.6 million bookkeepers and auditors in the United States.
Best Jobs for Finance Bachelor’s Degree Majors
| Job Title | Recommended School | Top 10% Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Finance Manager | Harvard University | $208,000 |
| Financial Analyst | University of Pennsylvania | $159,560 |
| Investor Relations Associate | University of San Francisco | $104,000 |
| Commercial Real Estate Agent | Cornell University | $103,000 |
| Budget Analyst | University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign | $92,000 |
Financial Manager
- Average Salary: $134,180
- Job Outlook: 17%
Financial managers oversee the general financial functions of an organization, including monitoring cash flow, managing overheads, setting financial strategies, and producing accurate financial reports. They ensure their respective organizations maintain favorable financial health. These professionals typically have a degree in business administration or accounting.
Financial Analyst
- Average Salary: $83,660
- Job Outlook: 6%
Financial analysts offer guidance to businesses concerning viable investment opportunities. They have strong analytical skills that help them make tough business decisions that typically involve stocks, securities, bonds, and other investments.
Investor Relations Associate
- Average Salary: $67,906
- Job Outlook: 8%
Investor relations (IR) associates assist in the development of company-investor relationships. Other duties of IR associates include handling inquiries, providing feedback to investors on behalf of the company, and attending related meetings. These professionals rely on interpersonal skills to help them fulfill their duties.
Commercial Real Estate Agent
- Average Salary: $48,108
- Job Outlook: 4%
Commercial real estate brokers work as liaisons between the sellers and buyers of commercial real estate. These professionals work independently or under real estate brokerage firms. Typical positions require a high school diploma with some background in sales and relationship management. However, a degree in finance will significantly increase your chances of landing a job in this competitive industry.
Budget Analyst
- Average Salary: $62,632
- Job Outlook: 5%
A budget analyst’s primary role is to assist in the preparation of financial budgets. They also help in planning finances. They work in financial industries, government agencies, universities, and private corporations. You need an accounting degree to become a budget analyst.
Best Jobs for Finance Master’s Degree Majors
| Job Title | Recommended School | Top 10% Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Hedge Fund Manager | University of San Francisco | $491,000 |
| Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | The University of Texas at Austin | $226,000 |
| Bank Vice President | UCLA Anderson School of Management | $176,000 |
| Portfolio Manager | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $148,000 |
| Credit Risk Manager (CRO) | University of Illinois | $118,000 |
Hedge Fund Manager
- Average Salary: $145,162
- Job Outlook: 17%
Hedge fund managers make high bonuses and commissions from making profitable investment decisions using aggressive strategies. They have incredible investment analysis skills and often meet clients to discuss investment opportunities. An advanced degree in finance would be enough to get you through the door, but most of these positions require professionals to have years of experience.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
- Average Salary: $137,109
- Job Outlook: 17%**
Chief financial officers (CFO) have a senior executive position that requires them to manage and oversee a company’s financial operations. The CFO’s duties might vary based on the company, but they ultimately involve tracking cash flow, and financial planning. As this is a senior role, you should have an advanced degree in finance, with years of experience in this industry.
Bank Vice President
- Average Salary: $128,777
- Job Outlook: 8%
Investment banks typically hire bank vice presidents (VPs) to oversee projects, including the day-to-day operations at banks. There are plenty of reasons why people want to become bank VPs, most of which include high salaries and the potential to work on exciting deals. With that said, you need an advanced degree to qualify for a bank VP position as this is also a senior position.
Portfolio Manager
- Average Salary: $88,185
- Job Outlook: 17%**
A portfolio manager works in the security industry and is responsible for investment strategies while managing day-to-day portfolio trading. This senior position is ideal for professionals with advanced degrees in finance, with several years of experience in the securities industry.
Credit Risk Manager (CRO)
- Average Salary: $116,792
- Job Outlook: 17%**
Credit risk managers are executive professionals responsible for monitoring insurance or investment firms’ risk policies and guidelines. They provide institutional risk oversight to reduce risks that could affect an organization’s profitability or productivity. A bachelor’s degree used to suffice, however, an increasing number of organizations prefer professionals with bachelor’s degrees in risk management or finance.
**Based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics data on Finance Managers
Three Final Tips to Get a Job in Finance
- Consider earning an advanced degree or certification. Education is a fundamental requirement in this field. The higher the level of education you pursue, the more lucrative jobs in major banks or financial institutions are available to you.
- Consider internships at banks or other financial institutions. An increasing number of corporations prefer hiring candidates with years of experience in the finance industry. Working as an intern is the best way to gain experience, especially as a recent graduate.
- Work on your technical and soft skills. The finance field demands strong technical skills such as analytical, critical thinking, maths, and financial modeling skills. Developing these skills will put you in a favorable position to begin your ideal finance career.
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