Key Trends Shaping Finance Hiring and Salaries in 2025

Introduction

The finance job market in 2025 is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements, regulatory changes, and shifting talent expectations. Companies face increasing competition for top professionals, while finance candidates expect higher salaries, faster hiring processes, and stronger career growth opportunities. Employers that fail to adapt risk losing skilled finance professionals to competitors offering better compensation, benefits, and flexibility.

We analyzed 200,000 job postings from 2024 and examined key trends shaping finance hiring in 2025. According to Marks Sattin, high-demand roles this year include finance managers, management accountants, financial controllers, and CFOs. The rise of fintech, AI, and sustainability-focused finance is also reshaping job requirements, increasing demand for professionals with ESG expertise, blockchain knowledge, and data-driven decision-making skills (Engage Hub).

What You’ll Learn in This Report

• ✅ How long finance roles stay open: which positions fill fast and which take longer to hire.
• ✅ Finance salaries by location, which U.S. states pay the most and least.
• ✅ Compensation benchmarks by experience level, how junior, mid-level, and senior salaries compare.
• ✅ The highest-paying finance roles, which jobs offer the best earning potential.
• ✅ How top companies hire and retain finance professionals, best practices from industry leaders.

The finance industry in 2025 continues to evolve, with opportunities emerging in fintech, sustainable investment, and AI-powered financial analysis (Cavill Robinson). Companies that understand salary expectations, hiring trends, and talent retention strategies will gain a competitive edge in attracting the best finance professionals.

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How Long It Takes to Fill Finance Roles

Hiring finance professionals requires speed and efficiency, as top candidates receive multiple offers quickly. Companies that move too slowly risk losing skilled professionals to faster-moving competitors.

We analyzed 200,000 job postings from 2024 and found that the average finance job posting stays open for 18 days. However, hiring timelines vary widely based on role, seniority, and required skill sets.

Time to Hire for Key Finance Roles

• 📊 Financial Analyst: One of the fastest-filled roles, taking an average of 15 days to hire. The demand for financial analysts remains high, but a steady supply of candidates helps companies fill these roles quickly.
• 💰 Tax Manager: Another in-demand position, typically filled within 16 days, as businesses prioritize tax strategy and compliance.
• 📈 Finance Manager: This role remains open for an average of 17 days, with companies seeking professionals with both strategic and operational expertise.
• 📉 Financial Controller: Due to leadership responsibilities and the need for specialized experience, hiring takes longer, averaging 19 days.
• 🏦 Chief Financial Officer (CFO): The most challenging role to fill, taking an average of 20 days due to the high level of experience and strategic oversight required.

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Why Some Finance Roles Take Longer to Fill

Several factors influence the hiring timeline for finance positions:‍

• ‍Specialized expertise takes longer to assess. Companies often require multiple interview rounds, technical assessments, and leadership evaluations for senior roles like CFOs and Financial Controllers.‍
• Regulatory and compliance roles require specific certifications. Hiring for positions in risk management, anti-money laundering (AML), and financial compliance takes longer due to background checks and certification requirements (Peck Search Firm).‍
• High competition for top talent. Skilled finance professionals receive multiple offers within days, making it critical for companies to move quickly and offer competitive salaries (Michael Page).‍
• Remote work expands the talent pool but increases hiring complexity. Companies now recruit finance professionals across different locations, requiring salary adjustments and compliance with multi-state hiring laws.

Speed matters in finance hiring. Companies that streamline their recruitment process, eliminate unnecessary interview rounds, and make competitive offers early in the hiring cycle secure top talent faster.

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Finance Salaries Across the U.S.

Finance salaries in the U.S. vary significantly based on location, cost of living, and industry demand. Professionals in finance hubs like New York, California, and Washington earn higher salaries, while those in less competitive markets see lower compensation.

We found that 65% of finance roles now offer salaries above $100,000 per year. However, salary discrepancies exist across different states and regions.

93%

of finance and accounting leaders report difficulties securing qualified professionals.

59%

of new finance job postings are for on-site positions, 25% for hybrid, and 16% for fully remote roles.

76%

of US CFOs report facing a significant talent shortage within their finance and accounting teams.

Highest-Paying States for Finance Professionals

• 💰 California: $133,000 – Tech-driven finance hubs like San Francisco drive up compensation for financial analysts, CFOs, and investment managers.
• 💰 New Jersey: $128,000 – Proximity to Wall Street keeps finance salaries high, particularly for risk management and regulatory roles.
• 💰 Washington: $125,000 – Strong demand for financial analysts and fintech professionals pushes salaries above the national average.

Lowest-Paying States for Finance Professionals

• 🔻 West Virginia: $81,000 – Fewer financial institutions and corporate headquarters lead to lower wages.
• 🔻 Montana: $85,000 – Limited demand for high-level finance roles keeps average salaries lower.
• 🔻 Vermont: $85,000 – Smaller job market and fewer multinational corporations result in reduced earning potential.

Regional Salary Trends

Salaries in major metropolitan areas remain significantly higher than in smaller cities or rural regions. For example:

• ‍New York City finance professionals earn 20-30% more than the national average due to the concentration of investment banks, hedge funds, and private equity firms (Cavill Robinson).‍
• Midwest salaries remain stable but lower, with finance roles in Chicago paying 10-15% less than in New York or California.‍
• Southeast markets like Florida and Texas offer competitive salaries with lower costs of living, attracting finance professionals looking for better work-life balance (Michael Page).

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How Cost of Living Impacts Finance Salaries

Higher salaries in coastal cities often come with higher housing costs and living expenses. For example:

• A $120,000 salary in San Francisco has the same purchasing power as $90,000 in Texas or $80,000 in Ohio.
• Companies in remote-friendly states are adjusting salaries based on location, creating regional pay bands to stay competitive.

Location remains a key factor in finance salaries. While high-cost states offer bigger paychecks, lower-cost regions provide a better balance between salary and living expenses. Companies hiring finance professionals remotely must adjust compensation accordingly to attract and retain top talent.

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Salary by Role and Experience Level

Finance salaries vary widely based on job title, experience level, and specialization. Senior professionals in leadership and risk management roles earn significantly more than entry-level analysts and accountants.

We found that finance salaries increase by 40-60% from junior to senior roles. Some positions, particularly in risk management and investment banking, see even steeper growth.

Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

📊 Entry-Level (0-3 years experience)

• Financial Analyst: $70,000
• Junior Accountant: $66,000
• Risk Analyst: $75,000

📈 Mid-Level (3-7 years experience)

• Finance Manager: $110,000
• Senior Accountant: $95,000
• Risk Manager: $120,000

🏦 Senior-Level (7+ years experience)

• Finance Director: $140,000
• Tax Manager: $137,000
• Quantitative Analyst: $165,000

💰 Executive-Level (10+ years experience)

• Chief Financial Officer (CFO): $166,000
• Head of Finance: $158,000
• Finance Business Partner: $138,000

Why Salary Growth Varies by Role

Several factors determine salary progression in finance careers:

• ‍High-demand roles see faster salary growth. Positions in quantitative finance, risk management, and investment banking offer the steepest salary increases due to specialized expertise and limited talent supply (Top Workplaces).‍
• Regulatory and compliance roles command higher pay. Risk managers and compliance officers see higher salaries at mid-to-senior levels as companies prioritize financial security (Peck Search Firm).‍
• Leadership experience significantly boosts earnings. Transitioning from finance manager to finance director or CFO can increase salaries by 50% or more, making leadership development a key driver of career growth.

Salary Growth Trends for 2025

• ‍Quantitative analysts, risk managers, and tax managers will see the fastest salary growth due to increasing demand and regulatory pressures.‍
• CFO salaries are expected to rise by 10-15% as companies seek strong financial leadership in an uncertain economy (Randstad Canada).‍
• AI and fintech expertise will drive salary premiums. Professionals with blockchain, AI, or financial modeling experience will see increased compensation opportunities.

As finance professionals progress in their careers, specializing in high-demand areas and gaining leadership experience will be the biggest drivers of salary growth.

How the Best Finance Employers Hire and Retain Talent

Top-paying finance companies do not just offer high salaries. They optimize their hiring process, provide career growth opportunities, and create strong retention strategies. With competition for finance talent increasing, the best employers move fast and invest in their workforce to stay ahead.

We analyzed 200,000 job postings from 2024 and identified key hiring and retention strategies used by the highest-paying finance companies.

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Top-Paying Finance Companies

🏆 Ernst & Young – $186,000

EY attracts top finance talent by offering strong career progression, leadership training, and global mobility opportunities.

💼 PwC – $182,000

PwC invests in employee upskilling, providing certification programs and cross-functional learning opportunities.

🏦 State Street – $153,000

State Street prioritizes technology-driven finance roles, leveraging AI and data analytics to attract professionals in fintech and investment management.

📊 KPMG US – $152,000

KPMG offers competitive pay, flexible work arrangements, and mentorship programs.

💰 Aon – $148,000

Aon focuses on risk management and consulting, hiring professionals with specialized expertise in finance and compliance.

How Leading Employers Hire Faster

• Streamlined hiring processes reduce time-to-hire by using AI-powered screening, structured interviews, and data-driven candidate selection.
• Proactive talent sourcing ensures companies engage with finance professionals through industry events, alumni networks, and direct outreach (Michael Page).
• Skills-based hiring prioritizes technical ability, leadership potential, and problem-solving skills over traditional degrees (Randstad Canada).

Retention Strategies That Work

• Competitive total compensation includes base salaries, performance bonuses, stock options, and profit-sharing incentives.
• Career growth and internal mobility programs provide clear promotion paths and leadership development opportunities.
• Work-life balance and flexibility through hybrid and remote work models improve job satisfaction (Cavill Robinson).

The Future of Finance Hiring

• AI-driven recruitment will continue to reshape how finance companies identify and attract talent.
• The demand for fintech, compliance, and risk management professionals will keep growing.
• Companies that invest in long-term employee development and competitive benefits will outperform their competitors in retaining top finance professionals.

The best finance employers move fast, invest in talent, and prioritize career growth—a strategy that gives them a clear advantage in a highly competitive market.

Finance salaries grow with position

40-60%

Salary growth from junior to senior finance roles

~50%

Salary increase when transitioning from finance manager to finance director or CFO

Conclusion

The finance job market in 2025 is more competitive than ever. Companies looking to attract and retain top talent must adapt to rising salary expectations, faster hiring processes, and evolving job roles. Finance professionals seek not only higher pay but also career growth, flexibility, and opportunities to work with emerging financial technologies.

We analyzed 200,000 job postings from 2024 and identified key trends shaping finance recruitment. High-demand roles like finance managers, quantitative analysts, and tax managers continue to see strong salary growth. Meanwhile, fintech, sustainability-focused finance, and AI-driven financial analysis are creating new opportunities for specialized professionals.

Top-paying employers move fast, prioritize career development, and offer competitive compensation packages. Companies that streamline their hiring processes, embrace skills-based recruitment, and provide strong retention programs will have a clear advantage in securing top finance talent.

As the industry evolves, businesses that invest in talent and stay ahead of financial trends will be best positioned to thrive in the changing finance landscape.