How long does it take to become a financial manager?

Typically about four years for the degree, then 5 years or more of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do financial managers make?

The US median is $166,570 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become a financial manager?

Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.

Where can you train to become a financial manager?

910 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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How to become a financial manager

Management · SOC 11-3031

$166,570US median pay, 2025

+9.7%Projected growth, 2025–35

65,600Openings per year

Degree + experienceUsual way in

How you get in

Not an entry-level job: it usually takes a degree plus years of related work.

Bachelor's degree
5 years or more of experience in a related job
Work as a financial manager

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Finance, General	CIP 52.0801	733
Accounting and Finance	CIP 52.0304	129
Accounting and Business/Management	CIP 52.0305	92
Finance and Financial Management Services, Other	CIP 52.0899	34
Financial Analytics	CIP 30.7104	15
Risk Management	CIP 52.0215	10
International Finance	CIP 52.0806	6
Public Finance	CIP 52.0808	6
Accounting and Computer Science	CIP 30.1601	4
Credit Management	CIP 52.0809	2
Financial Risk Management	CIP 52.0810	0

See the 910 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become a financial manager?: Typically about four years for the degree, then 5 years or more of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do financial managers make?: The US median is $166,570 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become a financial manager?: Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.
Where can you train to become a financial manager?: 910 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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