Want a Job in Finance? These Are Some Potential Careers

Whether you have plenty of it, not enough or somewhere in between, money is something we all have to deal with. That means personal finance is an industry with staying power, making jobs in finance a good option for those who are looking for a stable and in-demand career.

It’s an even better option if you’re analytical, detail oriented and a whiz with numbers. If you’ve been considering a career in the finance industry, there’s more than one avenue to go down. We found six jobs in finance for you to consider that have varying responsibilities and salary ranges. Plus, we looked at how much they’re expected to grow in the years to come.

6 High-Demand Jobs in Finance

1. Financial Analyst

We did say it paid to be analytical. In fact, that could be the majority of your job. Financial analysts do the work their clients don’t have the time, resources or knowledge to do. They use market trends and other data to help people make smart investment and business decisions. 

We hope you like studying, because you’ll be studying these economic trends a lot in order to help your clients make these smart decisions. Financial analysts also need to stay informed on policy, regulations and political changes that could affect their client’s portfolio or bottom line. 

By the numbers:

• Median pay: $101,910 per year
• Education typically required: Bachelor’s degree
• Growth outlook: 9% through 2033

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2. Accountant & Auditor

Many companies have an accountant or even a whole accounting department. We know them and we love them, because they make sure we get paid. 

Accountants and auditors do similar but different jobs. An accountant manages the financial records that are important for things like payroll, taxes and more. They could work for the government, a private company or an individual, but their role is typically the same — to keep accurate records of finances. 

An auditor is the one who looks for discrepancies in the records, whether they were intentional or unintentional. Anyone, even with advancing tech, can make a mistake. Just one small typo can result in a big problem. In short, the accountant summarizes the numbers while the auditor checks for accuracy. 

By the numbers:

• Median pay: $81,680 per year
• Education typically required: Bachelor’s degree
• Growth outlook: 6% through 2033

3. Personal Financial Advisor 

Lots of people need help with money. This could be cash-strapped people who need guidance on how to budget or people who hope to buy their second vacation home in the next year. Plus everyone in between. A financial advisor answers people’s money questions and helps them make decisions that will allow them to meet their financial goals. This could mean strategizing about saving, retirement, investing or navigating life changes like getting married, having kids or experiencing job loss. 

They’re very important professionals. So much so the job growth outlook is the highest on our list at 17%. After getting a bachelor’s degree, it would be a good idea to become a certified financial planner as well. You go through a CFP board registered program. You’ll also need to take an exam and meet an experience requirement, but it may be worth it to elevate your career. 

By the numbers:

• Median pay: $102,140 per year
• Education typically required: Bachelor’s degree
• Growth outlook: 17% through 2033

4. Securities, Commodities and Financial Services Sales Agents

This covers a few different types of jobs, such as a stockbroker, investment banker and trader. A stockbroker facilitates the sale of stocks, bringing together the seller and the buyer. Traders actively buy and sell them in order to make a profit. They may do this for a company or for themselves. Investment bankers, on the other hand, advise larger corporations on the best ways to raise capital and manage the issuing of stocks and bonds. 

There are a lot of different kinds of financial products and clientele you could work with. Stockbrokers focus on maintaining client relationships, while traders are all about market fluctuation. Investment bankers may also help companies with mergers, acquisitions and sales. 

By the numbers:

• Median pay: $78,140 per year
• Education typically required: Bachelor’s degree
• Growth outlook: 7% through 2033

5. Budget Analyst

A budget analyst does for companies similar to what a CFP does for you. They’re looking at a company’s financials and making recommendations on spending. As a budget analyst, you would evaluate the income vs. expenditures (money coming in vs. going out). You’d be the one making sure that the company isn’t blowing its budget in any areas, and if it is, figuring out how to fix it. Anticipating future financial needs is also an important part of their work. 

These professionals typically work at large companies, government organizations or universities, so it’s a big job. While they do have degrees in business and finance, public administration is also a good major to consider. 

By the numbers:

• Median pay: $87,930 per year
• Education typically required: Bachelor’s degree
• Growth outlook: 4% through 2033

6. Credit Counselor

Credit counselors help people meet their financial obligations, specifically when it comes to debt. They may get people on debt management plans, talk with creditors to negotiate repayment terms or help people responsibly take on good debt like mortgages or student loans. 

Debt is quickly becoming not just a result of “out of control” spending, but something the average American needs to live their lives. So as debt becomes more and more prevalent in society, we’ll need professionals who know how to take some of the fear out of it.

By the numbers:

• Median pay: $50,480 per year
• Education typically required: Bachelor’s degree 
• Growth outlook: 5% through 2033

Education and Skills Needed for Finance Careers

Most jobs in finance will require a bachelor’s degree. Depending on the kind of job you want to do, you could get degrees in accounting, business, economics or finance. Common certifications that go beyond the degree are certified financial planner, certified public accountant and financial risk manager. These are good for people who want more specialized training. 

A master’s degree in finance is not typically a requirement, but it can give you a boost if you hope to hold an executive position.

Also, the soft skills you have often are just as important as the hard skills you’ve learned over the years. If you have good problem-solving skills, pay close attention to detail, are an effective communicator and think analytically, you will be set up for success in finance.

Tips for Breaking Into Finance Without a Finance Degree

There are some jobs in finance that you can get without a degree, such as bank teller, loan officer assistant and bookkeeper. The outlook for bank tellers isn’t great, however. The number of bank teller jobs is expected to decline 15% through 2033, likely because of the rise in online banks. You could work in this role while figuring out what you want to do or getting your degree as a way to get experience in the world of finance. 

Another way to gain experience is through internships. Internships are best for those who are just starting out, because they’re both temporary and low paying (or don’t pay anything at all). But if you can swing that, the experience will help.

Another option is to look through the Coursera catalog to find courses on skills you’re looking for. You could take a course on the basics of finance or something more specific like finance for managers or construction finance. Then, use your new knowledge to get more financial responsibilities at your job. That way, you’re actively gaining experience in the industry you want to work in. 

Choosing the Right Finance Job for Your Goals

You have many paths to choose from if you’re looking into jobs in finance. You could work for individuals, small businesses or large corporations, banks, the government and much more. If you’re starting this journey because you have an analytical mind and an interest in numbers, you’re already on the right track. 

Think of what else you want out of the job. Is a high salary important to you? Do you want the opportunity to be your own boss? Do you want to be client facing or only have to worry about you and the numbers in front of you? All of these will help you narrow down the right career for you.