Financial managers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Financial managers in the United States earn a median salary of $166,570 per year — about $80 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 869K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +15%.
AI & Automation Risk
Financial management is a predominantly digital knowledge-work occupation focused on data analysis, reporting, and forecasting, all of which are highly susceptible to AI automation and enhancement. While the role requires significant human judgment, strategic advisory, and leadership, the core technical tasks of monitoring financial details and preparing statements are being rapidly transformed by AI tools.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CABEST VALUE | $225,280 | Above avg (110.4) | $204,015 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT Metropolitan Statistical Area | $211,000 | Above avg (106.9) | $197,447 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $221,010 | Above avg (112.6) | $196,343 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $209,780 | Above avg (108.3) | $193,764 |
| Lawrence, KS | $171,290 | Below avg (90.2) | $189,810 |
| Midland, MI | $173,080 | Below avg (91.9) | $188,292 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $216,150 | Above avg (115.6) | $186,960 |
| Boulder, CO | $192,970 | Above avg (105.2) | $183,428 |
| Springfield, MA | $175,950 | Below avg (96.1) | $183,165 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $193,400 | Above avg (105.8) | $182,829 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $163,580 | Below avg (90.6) | $180,490 |
| Midland, TX | $172,520 | Below avg (95.8) | $180,115 |
| Rapid City, SD | $160,280 | Below avg (89.2) | $179,767 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $184,800 | Above avg (103.2) | $179,104 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $172,760 | Average (97.3) | $177,466 |