Financial Controller Salary in 2026
Oversee accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls for organizations.
Median Salary
$135,000
$11,250/mo
Entry Level
$95,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$185,000
experienced
Job Growth
+6%
10-yr outlook
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)
55K
5-Year Growth
+15%
Category
Finance
Hourly Rate
$64.90/hr
Monthly Pay
$11,250
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
$154,000
$12,833/month · $5,923/biweekly · $74.04/hr
Financial Controller Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Financial Controller field.
Entry-level Financial Controllers earn around $95,000, while the top 10% earn $205,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Financial Controllers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $159,000 | +$24,000 |
| New York | $155,000 | +$20,000 |
| Massachusetts | $151,000 | +$16,000 |
| Illinois | $140,000 | +$5,000 |
| Texas | $132,000 | $-3,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Financial Controllers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $169,000 | +$34,000 |
| New York | $159,000 | +$24,000 |
| Boston | $151,000 | +$16,000 |
| Chicago | $142,000 | +$7,000 |
| Dallas | $135,000 | $0 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Financial Controller Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Financial Controller from entry level to expert.
$95,000
0-2 years
$140,000
3-7 years
$185,000
8-14 years
$225,000
15+ years
Related Finance Jobs
Financial Controller Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Financial Controller Salary
How we calculate Financial Controller salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $135,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Financial Controller in the Finance sector.
- Entry-level ($95,000) and senior-level ($185,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +6% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 55K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 15% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Finance sector wages.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's/Master's, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $135,000.
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 Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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