Financial Controller Salary in 2026
Oversee accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls for organizations.
Median Salary
$166,570
$13,881/mo
Entry Level
$117,200
starting pay
Senior Level
$228,300
experienced
Job Growth
+6%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Financial Managers (SOC 11-3031, the closest published occupation to Financial Controller) at a national median of $166,570 per year (mean $186,910), or $80.08 per hour, with 841,710 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Financial Controller Overview
Oversee accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls for organizations.
Education
Bachelor's/Master's
Experience
7-10 years
Industry
Finance
Total Jobs (US)
842K
5-Year Growth
+15%
Category
Finance
Hourly Rate
$80.08/hr
Monthly Pay
$13,881
Financial Controller Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Financial Controller salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Financial Controller Salary
$191,000
$15,917/month · $7,346/biweekly · $91.83/hr
Financial Controller Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Financial Controller field.
Entry-level Financial Controllers earn around $117,200, while the top 10% earn $252,950 or more.
Top Paying States for Financial Controllers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $197,000 | +$30,430 |
| New York | $192,000 | +$25,430 |
| Massachusetts | $187,000 | +$20,430 |
| Illinois | $173,000 | +$6,430 |
| Texas | $163,000 | $-3,570 |
Top Paying Cities for Financial Controllers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $208,000 | +$41,430 |
| New York | $197,000 | +$30,430 |
| Boston | $187,000 | +$20,430 |
| Chicago | $175,000 | +$8,430 |
| Dallas | $167,000 | +$430 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Financial Controller Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Financial Controller.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Financial Controller Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Financial Controller from entry level to expert.
$117,200
0-2 years
$173,000
3-7 years
$228,300
8-14 years
$277,600
15+ years
Related Finance Jobs
Financial Controller Salary FAQ
How much does a Financial Controller make in 2026?
The median salary for a Financial Controller in the United States is $166,570 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Financial Managers (SOC 11-3031); the mean is $186,910. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $117,200, senior professionals around $228,300, and top earners at $277,600 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Financial Controller?
A Financial Controller typically requires a Bachelor's/Master's with 7-10 years of experience. Key skills include Financial Reporting, GAAP, Internal Controls. Relevant certifications such as CPA or CMA can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Financial Controllers?
The job market for Financial Controllers is projected to grow by 6% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 842K Financial Controller positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 15%, reflecting steady demand for this role.
Which states pay Financial Controllers the most?
The highest-paying states for Financial Controllers include New York, California, Texas. In New York, the median salary is approximately $192,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Financial Controller salary?
To increase your Financial Controller salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Financial Reporting and GAAP. Pursue certifications such as CPA. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 7-10 years of experience, you can progress from $117,200 to $228,300 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Financial Controller Salary
How we calculate Financial Controller salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Financial Managers (SOC 11-3031), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $166,570, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Financial Managers; BLS mean $186,910; BLS hourly median $80.08.
- Entry-level ($117,200) and senior-level ($228,300) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +6% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 841,710 Financial Managers jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 15% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Finance sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's/Master's, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $166,570; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Financial Controller compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Financial Controller job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Finance
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Financial Controller salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Financial Reporting, GAAP, Internal Controls), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
Explore More Job Salaries
Compare salary data for hundreds of jobs across all industries. Find out what you should be earning.