Did you know the finance industry pays 46% higher salaries than the average job? Whether you love crunching numbers, advising clients, or predicting market trends, there’s a lucrative finance career with your name on it.
But with so many options—from Wall Street traders to crypto analysts—how do you pick the right path? This guide breaks down 20+ exciting finance careers, including:
- Surprising jobs you’ve never heard of
- Salary ranges (from entry-level to top earners)
- Skills needed to land these roles
- The future outlook for each career
Let’s find your ideal money-making profession!
1. Investment Banking
What You Do: Help companies raise capital (IPO, mergers, loans)
Avg Salary: 100K(entry)→100K(entry)→500K+ (VP level)
Best For: High-energy people who thrive under pressure
Future Outlook: Stable but competitive
2. Financial Analyst
What You Do: Analyze company performance and market trends
Avg Salary: 65K→65K→120K
Best For: Detail-oriented researchers
Future Outlook: Growing 8% annually
3. Private Equity Associate
What You Do: Buy/improve/sell companies for investors
Avg Salary: 150K→150K→1M+
Best For: Strategic thinkers with MBA degrees
Future Outlook: Elite but hard to break into
4. Financial Advisor
What You Do: Help people invest for retirement, college, etc.
Avg Salary: 60K→60K→250K (commission-based)
Best For: People persons with sales skills
Future Outlook: Always in demand
5. Hedge Fund Manager
What You Do: Invest pooled money using advanced strategies
Avg Salary: 200K→200K→10M+
Best For: Math geniuses who handle risk well
Future Outlook: Volatile but high-reward
6-10: More Exciting Finance Careers
| Career | Key Skill | Starting Pay |
|---|---|---|
| FinTech Developer | Coding (Python/SQL) | $90K |
| Chief Financial Officer | Leadership | $300K+ |
| Insurance Actuary | Statistics | $80K |
| Real Estate Investor | Deal-making | Varies widely |
| Cryptocurrency Trader | Blockchain knowledge | 70K−70K−5M |
11-15: Unusual But Growing Fields
🔮 ESG Analyst – Rates companies on environmental/social impact
🤖 AI Finance Specialist – Builds trading algorithms
🌍 Spatial Finance Expert – Uses maps for investing (see our full guide)
📊 Behavioral Economist – Studies how psychology affects markets
🎮 NFT Financial Advisor – Helps clients manage digital assets
16-20: Steady & Reliable Picks
- Commercial Banker
- Credit Analyst
- Tax Accountant
- Auditor
- Treasury Analyst
FAQ: Finance Career Questions
1. Which finance job pays the most?
Hedge fund managers and private equity partners can earn $10M+, but require extreme skills/luck.
2. What’s the easiest finance career to start?
Financial advisor (some firms hire with just a bachelor’s degree + license).
3. Do I need an MBA?
Only for certain roles (private equity, upper management). Many jobs just need:
- CFA (investments)
- CPA (accounting)
- Series 7 (trading)
4. Will AI replace finance jobs?
Some will change (e.g., basic analysts), but human judgment remains crucial for now.
5. Best entry-level job for future growth?
FinTech roles blend finance + tech skills—high demand, less competition than Wall Street.
6. How do I switch into finance from another field?
Start with:
- Online courses (Coursera’s Finance for Non-Finance Professionals)
- Networking (LinkedIn finance groups)
- Entry certs (SIE exam for trading roles)
How to Choose Your Path
Ask yourself:
💼 Do I want stability (accounting) or big risks/rewards (trading)?
🧠 Am I better with numbers, people, or both?
🌱 Do I care more about salary or work-life balance?
Pro Tip: Intern in 2-3 fields before committing!
The Bottom Line
From traditional banking to crypto frontiers, finance offers dozens of rewarding paths. The key is matching your skills + personality to the right niche.